By Alan Prescott
March 31, 2021
Today, in response to my last article, I received a very unusual response to several of the suggestions that I have put forth in several articles. The response was from someone who has been in the golf course maintenance industry for 48 years (maintenance, renovations and new construction). As usual, all of my respondents remain anonymous so as to avoid controversy and local politics. In responding to the statements made, I offer, if I may, a few comments of my own.
When you build a golf course, there are many people from many trades that come together to accomplish that construction. From the realtor and the property owner followed by hydrologists, topographers, surveyors, designers to the workers and machine operators, suppliers of all kinds, and to the numerous consultants leading to the finished product. No one person does it all.
My point is that, when I originally offered my help, I didn’t accept this challenge from any entity. I responded to an article that my fiancee sent to my phone. The fact that the article mentioned some concerns at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course was a “call to action” that I immediately internalized. As in any business and in any sport, there are people who are willing to help as long as the almighty dollar is there to reward them for their efforts. Not enough skilled people and businesses give back to the sport or profession that they have spent a lifetime in and have profited from monetarily.
I have been questioned about my credentials and that’s ok. While I am preparing an article or two about me, allow me to tell you that it’s NOT all about me. It’s about my “giving back” to the sport of golf in general and to do what others, who have spent their careers in and around golf in any numbers of specialties, have not done. To date, I have spent over 500 hours on this project. I have dropped everything that my business life involved, and, not because I wanted anything in return monetarily. I don’t even need a “thank you”.
From the outset, I just wanted to help a neglected golf course succeed, be profitable, to create a dialogue or discussion, to perhaps develop a group of experienced and very talented individuals, who will donate some of their experience pro bono and give a small amount of time to help their municipal golf course succeed in today’s economy.
However, if I have to and if I’m allowed to, I will go it alone and provide any and all of my services without compensation, if the City’s Commissioners give me their blessing. I’m compiling an anthology of my experience, complete with newspaper articles, licenses, a list of golf courses that I have helped, and other events that should be mentioned in their proper time to authenticate my qualifications. Every step in this process brings me to today and to my continued effort to give back to the sport that has captivated me from the age of 7 and from which I have built a career.
I have one question for the person that elicited this response. Why don’t you join me in making this “give back” successful by donating some of your expertise?
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.
Alan, personally I believe that you have provided in your earlier articles your “credentials” as a professional in the golf course business and there is no need for further documentation. But should you feel that will help silence those that question your experience, have at it. Unlike the newer courses built as part of residential developments of today, the Fernandina Beach course’s North Course opened in 1956 and the West Course several years later. The South Course opened in 1972. I point out this reference in time as I don’t believe that most of the parties you mention in the design and development of today’s courses were assembled for the Fernandina course. As you are aware, the land was originally part of the airport used by the Navy for training pilots for WWII. I don’t know the qualifications of Mr. Ed Matteson who designed the North and West courses other than he is referred to as “Head Professional”. The designer of the South Course was Mr. Tommy Birdsong, who was a WWII veteran/POW and a recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor, but with minimal golf experience due to his injuries served during the war. He is cited for partnering in the redesign of the Dublin GA golf course in 1964.
Like any artist, the “beauty” of the design of a golf course is very subjective. Some of the newer courses I have played on over the last ten years seemed to have been designed more for their geographic beauty with wonderful vistas, precipices, etc. rather than for their playability for high handicap golfers such as myself. One person’s evaluation is part of the overall equation and the more people that can be involved to arrive at a consensus, the better it will be. I look forward to your hole-by-hole recommendations. Thank you for taking the time you have to provide your input. Hopefully other qualified individuals will join you rather than just making comments of no substance from the peanut gallery..