Financial figures improving at Grand Island Golf Club in Lee County

LEESBURG — Grand Island Golf Course in Lee County still faces some financial challenges, but there have been signs of progress in recent months, according to Jeremy Morey, interim general manager of the county-owned facility.

Morey, who is the Parks and Recreation Department manager in Lee County, took control of the facility in July following the resignation of longtime manager Paige Langley. County Manager Ron Rabun, who at the time touted Morey’s skills as a manager, says Morey has implemented changes that have improved the financial outlook at the recreational property.

Morey told Lee County commissioners Tuesday night that operations at Grand Island’s restaurant and grill have been “streamlined to make it run more efficiently.”

Morey said the most recent four-month cycle from the 2014-15 budget showed the restaurant and grill operating at a loss of $3,874.91. The same four-month cycle this year, Morey said, shows a profit of $2,837.22 — a difference of $6,712.

Morey said the club’s pro shop has been rebranded with new products and updated with more marketable apparel and accessories.

“We have almost completely revamped the pro shop look and done so with a comparative profit,” he said.

A three-month cycle from last year’s budget showed the pro shop operating at a $5,478.49 loss. The same three-month cycle this years reflects a profit of $392.72 — a difference of $5,871.

Morey said the golf complex continues to operate at a loss. The most recent four-month cycle shows a loss of $7,839. With a loss of $10,952 for the same period last year, that’s an improvement of $3,113, he said.

Morey said the club has 256 members, most of them over 55 years old. While seeking to maintain that segment, Morey said he plans to push for more members in the 25-54 age category that is family centered. That will be done partly through youth camps, clinics and junior tournaments, Morey said.

Another key factor, Morey said, is the hiring of Chris Dixon as golf professional and tournament director. Morey said Dixon, a Professional Golf Association (PGA) professional, has a good reputation as a golf instructor, specializing in junior golf. He’s the first golf pro at Grand Island in several years.

The recently-opened golf driving range is beginning to produce revenue, Morey said, and should continue to help in the revenue department and by making the golf complex more attractive to members. The club’s former driving range had been closed when Prince Chevrolet opened and took part of the property where the driving range had been located.

Morey also said he believes there is potential to increase revenue from the club’s tennis courts. Morey said Grand Island has benefited slightly from the recently closing of Pine Forest Tennis Club on Gillionville Road.

“I feel that now that I have a handle on day to day operations and procedure, that Grand Island Golf Course will continue to move in the right direction,” Morey said.