Progress on resuscitating the former Long Hill Country Club in East Hartford to its former heyday is on schedule under the watchful eye of Billy Casper Golf, which last fall was awarded a five-year contract to manage the course, renamed as East Hartford Golf Club, officials say.
With escalating operating costs and a dramatic drop in rounds played over the past several years, the course had become run down and was bleeding money.
Its former operator MDM Golf Enterprises was let go last year after concerns it neglected and mismanaged the course.
“The town ran the course with municipal workers through 2009 and during the last eight years or so, lost nearly $1 million in total,” said Mike Walsh, finance director for the town of East Hartford. “That’s when it was decided to move to MDM who at the time was the best qualified and offered the opportunity for the town to earn a rent of $160,000 per year, which was especially attractive.”
However, Walsh says, while MDM came aboard with great promise and did some good things in the first three years, like adding drainage to greens, improving turf, and establishing fairways, the company’s attention to detail waned in the last two years and the decision was made to end the relationship. Under the terms of the new contract, BCG is paid $81,000 annually and is not required to invest any money into the course. All operating costs, risk, and possible losses are the responsibility of the town of East Hartford.
“We expect a $160,000 annual loss for the foreseeable future,” Walsh said. “As much as the town would like a contract with less risk, the nature of golf at this moment in time just isn’t producing contracts that guarantee returns to a community.”
East Hartford has invested nearly $1 million into the course this year, including $700,000 via lease purchase of 40 new carts, greens, fairway, and rough mowers, groomers, utility vehicles, ball washers, tee markers, flags, and cups.
The town also invested $70,000 for clubhouse repairs including carpeting in the locker rooms, pro shop, painting, ventilation, lighting, ceiling tiles, blacktop, and restriping the parking lot.
“Job one is to return the course to a more consistent and upgraded appearance, provide a good meal at a good value, and re-attract the membership that was lost in the past as conditions deteriorated,” Walsh said. “BCG has done a good job in that respect.”
The course was purchased by the town in the early 1970’s using a combination of local, state and federal grant funds; the land must be used as a golf course or be turned into open space. Walsh says selling the course isn’t a viable option since the town would be required to pay most of the proceeds back as a condition of the grant.
Right now, the town council wants to see what happens to the course over the next 3 to 5 years. Walsh says if the course is able to contain losses, break even, or turn a small profit, the change over to BCG will be considered a success.
Founded more than 20 years ago in cooperation with golf legend Billy Casper, Virginia-based BCG is the largest owner-operator of golf courses, country clubs and resorts in the U.S. with more than 150 properties in 28 states. Now it’s taking a crack at turning around East Hartford’s course, which will require significant efforts, officials say.
“The golf course was in tough shape when we came on board,” said Ciaran Carr, BCG’s regional manager who oversees operations and client relations at the course. “We have seen an increase in residents returning to the course. Conditions have improved significantly and guests are pleased to see their course return to its former glory. They understand this will take time, but we’re off to a solid start.”
East Hartford Golf Club plays to a par-71 that stretches 6,186 yards. Its elevation changes, tighter fairways, tricky rough, and undulating greens make it a test for golfers of all skill levels. Greens fees run $28 for residents and $30 for non-residents on weekends. To lure more players, the course is introducing new rewards like an “Advantage Card” that gives local residents $5 off current rates.
John Lahtinen is a writer in Farmington. Follow him on twitter @johnlahtinen.
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