During the March 12, Holbrook City Council meeting, Hidden Cove Golf Course Supervisor Stephen Rutherford presented a collection of photos to the council showing the improvements made at the golf course and offered suggestions on revisions he believes can not only improve the course but maybe even attract more visitors. Those improvements will likely have to wait, as it was suggested that funding is not available at this time.
“In order to bring in more tournaments (and) more people, in order to advertise, you have to have carts,” Rutherford said, adding that not having carts can be a deterrent for people wanting to visit Hidden Cove. There are currently only five golf carts.
Rutherford also referred to a previous appraisal of Holbrook’s assets. “About 10 years ago they had somebody identify the strengths and weaknesses of Holbrook. One of the strengths was the golf course and they actually recommended an expansion.” The supervisor also showed the council the area he believes would make the perfect spot to do the expansion.
He pointed out that adding a driving range could benefit the golf course as well and showed the council photos of a tournament held at the course last summer where organizations from Winslow and Snowflake attended. He explained that the Holbrook High School cross country team also brings thousands of people twice a year with their tournaments. “This is what I want to get back to. We used to have anywhere from eight to 10 tournaments a year regularly. People loved that,” said Rutherford.
Rutherford explained to the council that the golf course thrived for decades after opening in 1975. “And women had a lot to do with it, we’re missing that now. Women’s clubs were at least half of what was in there,” added Rutherford.
Vice Mayor Francie Payne said that while she would be happy to start promoting the golf course so that it can thrive once again, there are improvements needed but also resources which are not available right now.
“I’m a great believer in advertising but you have to be ready for it and obviously we’re not. So, we need to make a plan and work that plan then the last step would be a full-fledged advertising campaign. I visit with the city manager on a regular basis. Something almost every time that comes up is ‘we don’t have the money for that right now.’ It’s his favorite comment. So, we’ve got to get our house in order. I brag on the golf course but it doesn’t look like it did when I was out there. That cart area was full, it was on the news, we had to hurry to find a weekend to sign a tournament.”
As far as improvements that have been made, Rutherford showed the council the progress in the entrance room of the clubhouse, where the ceiling was fixed and was newly painted. He said that although the improvements were great, the 1970’s furniture is very outdated. “One of these days, we’ll look at updating that furniture.”
The supervisor informed the council that with the help of the street department, his office is now more easily accessible and safer during bad weather. “Anytime we’d get a heavy rain, I’d have standing water on the floor in the office.” Rutherford said the street department dug what he called a moat around the office building that now prevents that build-up of water around the facility.
Due to the water overflow, Rutherford explained that portions of the building sustained damage and some areas even accumulated mold. “We took the carpet up, all the walls, all the insulation and we did that ourselves,” explained Rutherford. He added that since replacing all the mold infested and water damaged material, “It’s so much better to walk in there.”
He said that while they have done a lot of work to the golf course, there are still some issues that need to be addressed. “A couple years ago we got a used fairway mower and it’s working; however, a lot of our stuff is aging.” Rutherford said that while they do use the mower it does leak hydraulic fluid. He said that they take measures to prevent too much leakage onto the green, but it still leaves spots.
Councilman Adam Marsh asked Rutherford if he observes a lot people using the disc golf setup. Rutherford said that they do not see many people use it and suggested that they reconsider where the disc golf chains are located. “You know I’d love it if it was out there off the course. There is some conflict between disc golfers and golfers. It’s a point of conflict with golfers who are paying to use the green and the disc golfers are using it for free,” said Rutherford. Marsh asked if rerouting it to the outskirts of the course was an option, which Rutherford said was a possibility.
In new business, Airport Manager Tim Kelley presented a bid for a new airport fuel management system. Kelley said that back in January the company that currently maintains their system informed the city that they will no longer be able to provide support for their current system. The system is seven years old and now obsolete because they can no longer get parts for it. The company suggested that they purchase a QTM-4000 which is the next model up from the one they have now. Council approved the amount of $16,875 to purchase the new equipment. Councilman Tim Dixon asked Kelley if the company’s manufacturer has tech support available in Arizona. Kelley said that they would be using the same tech support company they used previously who handed down the recommendation. “Matt Duncan, out of Colorado would still come and service it if we have any problems with it,” said Kelley.
City Manager Soltis reported that he attended the Little Colorado Coalition meeting and invited the council to do the same in the coming years as it is expected to be a long-term. Soltis also reported that the water pump that was out in Sun Valley was replaced and a sewer pump was rebuilt. He added that the street department has finished fixing the curbsides out on McLaws Road. He also said the alleyways in Holbrook will be getting more attention. He said that an employee has transferred to the street department and will be focusing on keeping the alleys cleaned.
Soltis also informed the council that the airport will be closed beginning March 23, for the runway rebuild and if all goes well, will be reopened on June 30.
Mayor Young read a proclamation presented by Debbie Shumway declaring April as Happy Holbrook Month. The foundation will be encouraging citizens to create acts of kindness throughout the month through various promotions.
In other business, executive director of NPC Friends and Family Betsyann Wilson reported to the council that even though Northland Pioneer College offers the lowest tuition rate per credit hour in the state of Arizona at $77 per credit hour, the college is no exception to the national trend of declining enrollment in community colleges. “Locally the trend is based on both the population increase and the aging of the population, people moving away. But it’s not just NPC, it’s a nation-wide thing,” said Wilson.
