Deerpath Golf Course's Resident Advisory Committee Generates High Interest

Several Lake Forest residents already have expressed interest in becoming part of a soon to be established resident golf advisory committee for Deerpath Golf Course after the approved a plan to maintain the facility last month.

The advisory committee will consist of five to seven residents, and eventually will replace the golf committee composed of several Lake Forest officials.

“It (the golf advisory committee) will consist of members of Deerpath,” explained First Ward Alderman Catherine Waldeck, who serves on the golf committee.

The decision to leave Deerpath in the hands of city management came after a — a proposal to which residents voiced strong opposition.

“It was a very productive and very helpful meeting,” said Waldeck. “We listened, and we considered the views of the community.”

In addition to the advisory committee, the city will fill the soon to be vacated general manager position with a consultant from a professional golf management firm.

“We are sending out a formal request for proposal to four firms for providing an individual who would serve as a general manager,” explained City Manager Bob Kiely, who also is a golf committee member.

Since 2007, Deerpath Golf Course has suffered a significant decrease in revenue complicated by the downturn in the economy, and a series of rainy golfing seasons. The combination led city leaders to look at alternatives to keeping the popular facility financially viable.

“There are some very real financial concerns here,” said Waldeck.

Projections by the city’s finance department indicate that revenues may decrease even more. The golf course could stand to have no money by 2014 and would be subsidized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department by as much as $220,000 in fiscal 2014.

“We’re looking for a long-term solution to the problem,” explained Kiely, who added that Deerpath is in the black, and that the city will have to wait until the end of the golf season to determine the state of its finances.

“October has been a spectacular month to play golf,” he said.

Once the new golf advisory committee has been established, and a general manager has been hired, they will begin generating ideas to enhance Deerpath’s revenues and make changes to its marketing, customer service and operations.

Goals also will be established over the next one to two years to strengthen its financial performance.

Residents will have their first opportunity to apply to be a member of the resident golf advisory committee at tonight's meeting at 7:30 at City Hall, when forms will be made available for the first time.

City leaders already are confident the new resident committee will act together to bring positive change to Deerpath Golf Course.

“There is a very loyal golf community that really loves this course,” Waldeck said.