Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course – An opinion

By Alan Prescott
May 19, 2021

Sometimes, you just have to know when to say that enough is enough. For several months now, I have volunteered my advice and expertise at the City golf course in Fernandina Beach. During that time, I visited the course from my home, a distance of 1075 miles away. I have met a lot of nice people, people who were qualified to get things right and improve the conditions as well as the playability of this 27-hole golf facility.

In addition, I have made many suggestions for improvement. However, it seems, as usual, those in power in the City, deem that my suggestions and recommendations are not worthy of implementation. A request for applications for employment was sent out and there are a few comments that I feel that I must make. (Click Here to view City Job Opportunities)

First, who in their right mind would accept a job at an hourly pay rate of $10.41 per hour? At that rate, a person would have to work a second full-time job to make ends meet. Any skilled person would NEVER work for such low pay. Secondly, the going rate for a golf course superintendent is $55,000 to $65,000 per year. Do the math. When most superintendents work an average of 70 hours per week, why would anyone work at slave-labor rates?

It is very evident that the City has no desire to do anything but farm out the work or to lease the Municipal Golf Course instead of trying to improve conditions at the Course by repaying the 1.2 million dollars that was extracted from the golf course revenues over the years to fund other non-profit making ventures. It is also very evident that no one on the City Commission wants to improve conditions, considering that they have turned a deaf ear on other conditions and circumstances, such as:

1. Hiring a full-time mechanic to service broken equipment

2. As previously mentioned above, raise wages significantly to allow golf course workers to earn a non-poverty-level income

3. Update golf course machinery to adequate levels

4. Hire 6 more employees – 4 full-time and 2 part-time

5. Create a position to run Top Tracer as well as the Golf Driving Range at a decent hourly rate in a full-time position to create a higher return on investment quicker than projected (and return the excess profits to fund other golf course expenses). This position should be capable of marketing Top Tracer, as well.

Today, I am asking you to ask the City officials to act on these above suggestions. Take a look at Amelia River and its pristine conditions. The necessary funds have been spent to create the fine golf course conditions that exist today. The city’s municipal golf course has been selfishly starved of the funds necessary to re-develop and rescue its course, a course which has had “good bones” from the start.

Your comments and suggestions are, as always appreciated. Please submit them to either [email protected] or the Fernandina Observer. Please stay safe and remain healthy.

Editor’s Note: Alan Prescott reached out to us after reading a recent article on the Fernandina Beach Golf Course. His articles are being well received by golfers and non-golfers. We thank Alan for his contribution to the Fernandina Observer.A

10 Comments
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Bruce Smyk
Bruce Smyk (@guest_61079)
2 years ago

On the nose.

Alan Prescott
Alan Prescott (@guest_61111)
2 years ago
Reply to  Bruce Smyk

Thank you!!

Robert Weintraub
Noble Member
Robert Weintraub(@rukbat23gmail-com)
2 years ago

Agree with Prescott. City Commissioners don’t understand the issue. The golf course could be financially independent, but it needs some bold action.

Ron Barone
Ron Barone (@guest_61096)
2 years ago

Is anyone surprised by any action the commissioners have taken with the golf course. I feel sorry for Mr. Prescott, who spent a considerable amount of time and energy detailing what needed to be done to our golf course. I knew it would all fall on deaf ears. So friggin’ typical of our commissioners. Was anyone surprised that they pull back the RFP and decided to “run” the golf course themselves. I predicted that the day they let go of Indigo.

Alan Prescott
Alan Prescott (@guest_61110)
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron Barone

However, it seems that Indigo wasn’t funded properly and, therefore, the situation was never properly addressed. In this area, I have no information to comment further. From the start, I mentioned that my comments and suggestions would not be political. I am still trying to offer all the help that I can.

Alan Prescott
Alan Prescott (@guest_61109)
2 years ago

I have offered to become a resident and turn the entire operation around finally within this current season. But, there has been no further discussion as yet.

Bill greene
Bill greene (@guest_61094)
2 years ago

I Agee with you 100% I went to top tracer on Thursday an it was close dew to no staff they were all working the car show. Hire a staff with a livable wages and keep the city Council the hell away from the course there’s too damn many chiefs. It’s been mismanaged for the last 24 years because of the city council

Ron Barone
Ron Barone (@guest_61095)
2 years ago

Don’t you all know that our City Commissioners and Manager know more about golf courses and how to run them than a professional who has done so for 40 years. C’mon folks…of course they do. If the commissioners and city manager don’t give a hoot about the golf course, why waste the time and effort and just sell or lease the course to someone who does, with the stipulation that at least 2 of the 3 9-hole tracks remain a golf course. Get it over with and cease with the pain of a thousand cuts.

Alan Prescott
Alan Prescott (@guest_61108)
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron Barone

You’re exactly right!! If it’s too much effort to run the golf course efficiently, then lease it or sell it. Considering all of the comments that I have received during the past few months, one of the purposes of this discussion was to improve the condition of the course so it is more enjoyable and affordable for the local residents.

Will Holder
Will Holder (@guest_61112)
2 years ago

Keep on fighting, Alan. This course deserves and needs your expertice. Guy C. and I played 54 holes in one day finished 17 and 18 in the dark with flashlight assistance by the ranger sent to find us. That was over 30 years ago. We went twice around on these three magnificiently different 9 hole courses. This facility is a unique blend of challenges for every golfer. It should be preserved and utilized. I for one would volunteer to work part-time for free.