Menu
City golf course benefits from revamped operation
Despite the scorching heat, and lack of rainfall, Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course is looking as pristine as ever. Additionally, clubhouse operations have received a major makeover. That's due in large part to Nevada Parks and Recreation services manager Tera McFarland, and maintenance supervisor Jason Pike. McFarland oversees the clubhouse, and Pike the grounds. The duo began putting their stamp on the course earlier this spring.
Top priorities for McFarland included getting the clubhouse clean, better organized, and more efficient. McFarland also said she aimed to bring more accountability to clubhouse operations, as well as better public relations.
Added McFarland of the revamped operation: "Also retraining staff, (scheduling) more events, and getting the word out there." McFarland noted that a number of events have already been scheduled over the next couple of months.
Pike said his primary objectives were "getting grass mowed, trimming trees, and getting the fairways in better shape,” with greens on deck.
“We had a lot of trees hanging down — where guys couldn’t see the greens, and were hitting through limbs,” he said. “Also getting the fairways, and short rough mowed. Now we’re working on the tall rough. There are so many different grasses you use (various) mowers on. You have the fairways, tee-tops, and greens. So it’s not all one grass, it’s several different types.”
McFarland said she’s always seeking feedback from area golfers, in order to try to make the course more user-friendly. Pike noted that prior to the upgrades, the course had lost some of its members.
“We lost a lot of our golfers, going to El Dorado and Fort Scott,” he said. “And we’re trying to get a lot of them back, and I think we have gotten a few of them back. Especially after the (NRMC) hosptial tournament, we had a lot of positive feedback. They spread the word, and let everyone know to come and check it out.”
McFarland said they visited other golf courses to seek input on their operations.
“We went to Fort Scott,” she said, adding they also visited El Do. “We thought (Fort Scott) would be a good golf course to go to, and it was — it was great. We also went to the Country Club here, and they were very helpful and gave us a lot of tips. All of the courses were very welcoming and informative. They kind of gave us a better picture on what we need to do, and what direction we need to go.”
Noted Pike: “We want to get our course close to theirs. We want to make it faster, that’s a priority right now. We’re just trying to figure out how to do it, and what machinery we need.”
Hitting the Frank E. Peters links on Tuesday, local golfer Alex Hardin said he was impressed.
“The fairways are looking great,” he said. “The rough was basically unplayable before. And especially considering the drought, it’s very green out here.”
