community
By Patrick Keating CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
A Detroit-based golf man-
agement company partnering with Greater Grace Temple Church wants to manage four city-owned golf courses: Palmer Park, Chandler Park, Rackham and Rouge Park.
Lindsey Mason III is presi-
dent of Detroit Golf, LLC, which represents individuals who have been operating golf courses, landscaping compa- nies and other business ven- tures in the city.
They more than 30 years in
golf management experience and expect to provide at least 100 new jobs.
The four courses had
been managed by a company called American Golf, which is now opting out of renewing its agreement with the city. Whomever takes over would have a five-year contract.
Asked why his company
should be given the respon- sibility for the four courses, Mason said that when Greater Grace Temple took over New Rogell Golf Course at Berg and Seven Mile (it has since leased the course to Heavenly Golf Enterprises), business was at a bare minimum.
“Now it’s very vibrant, very
active,” said Mason, who man- ages New Rogell. “It gets great community support.”
New Rogell was slated to be
closed in 2007. At the time, it looked like a cow pasture, he said.
“Now the golf course is well
defined,” he said. “You can tell the difference between the fairway and the rough.”
He also said there’s been
an increase in golf leagues and golf outings. The golf leagues are coming from all over Metro Detroit.
He also believes his being
from Detroit (he’s a graduate of Central High School) and having been in the golf busi- ness for more than 30 years are additional factors.
Mason started out as a
caddy and worked his way up to a golf professional and gen- eral manager. He also teaches golf.
“If they are really looking
for individuals that have expe- rience— and a minority busi- ness — I should get it.”
Bishop Charles Ellis If Detroit Golf, LLC should
get the contract, Mason said one of his main goals would be to focus on Palmer Park be- cause it needs the most work.
“Palmer does not make a lot
of revenue, so we have to look at implementing new things to try to generate additional,” he said, adding that Detroit Golf, LLC would install a sprinkler system in the Palmer Park course. That and other up- grades would enhance the course.
Detroit Golf, LLC would
bear the cost of such improve- ments if it ends up leasing the course.
“Palmer Park is — I
wouldn’t say it’s a beginner’s golf course — an 18 hole golf course that is basically flat, but it does have some challenges,” Mason said when asked what he’d say to encourage golfers to play that course.
He added that he’s also
trying to encourage young people, women and families to get into golf. He sees Palmer Park as an ideal course for that.
He also said he’s worked
at all four properties, and while American Golf has done a fairly good job at maintain- ing the courses, his expertise would help get the maximum resources out of each proper- ty.
“Each course is different,”
he said. He pointed out that having
the four properties would Lindsey Mason III
allow Detroit Golf LLC to do some things interchangeably.
“If one golf course is crowd-
ed, you would still be able to move people to different courses that you want them to play on any given day, instead of actually leaving the Metro Detroit area,” he said. “That just comes with setting a price and giving a good product.”
Golfers would be able to
sign up for tee times online. They could also obtain mem- berships, which would give them lower rates than they would get by purchasing green fees on a case-by-case basis.
“We’ll also establish vari-
ous golf programs, ranging from junior golfers to senior golf program, as well as pro- moting golf tournaments in the city,” Mason said.
In addition, he wants to
start a caddy program with at least 20 caddies at each course.
Mason said the biggest
challenge will be to upgrade the four courses to the next level. He reiterated that look- ing at an irrigation system in Palmer Park will be near the top of the list.
He has a team that will
ensure the courses are moving forward from day one. By that he means both maintenance as well as physical improve- ments to make them more challenging.
He expects to hear within
30 days whether his compa- ny’s bid will be accepted.
Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence initiates Mayor’s Walks
Southfield Mayor Brenda L.
Lawrence began her “Mayor’s Walks: A Healthy City is a Strong City” program on June 7 at Inglenook Park, located on west 12 Mile Road between Lahser and Evergreen.
The mayor invites all South- field residents and business
people to join her and other Southfield elected officials, de- partment heads and communi- ty leaders for a refreshing walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through July 30. The walks begin with a warm-up at 6:45 a.m. followed by the walk from 7 to 7:30 a.m. The goal of
the walks is to foster physi- cal fitness while allowing the community an opportunity to network with their local elect- ed officials.
For more information, call
Marty Williams, executive as- sistant to the mayor, at (248) 796-5100.
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Detroit company want to manage city-owned golf courses
June 16-22, 2010
Page C-5
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