ASHLAND – In what Ashland city officials say could be a make or break year for the city’s golf course, community members have united to offer support.
The Friends of Brookside Golf Course began meeting in March, setting a mission to assist and support the golf course management team and the city to preserve the course for future generations. The group’s motto is “Together We Will Succeed.”
Friends group chairman Steve Paramore outlined the group’s progress at a city council meeting Tuesday, saying he believes the golf course is on the upswing under the leadership of superintendent Billy Christian and with the support of the new friends group.
The 23-member steering committee hopes to reduce or eliminate the need for general fund money to be spent on the golf course, an expenditure that has drawn criticism from city officials and community members in recent years.
The city estimated in February it would take a $141,000 transfer from the general fund to the golf course fund to keep the course going this year. Since then, the city eliminated the golf pro manger position at a savings of $74,000 and raised rates for rounds of golf.
Paramore said Friends of Brookside Golf Course has hit the ground running by selling sponsorships of all 18 golf holes at $1,000 each and 15 golf carts at $500 each. They have also sold 14 Junior Golf Program sponsorships at $250 each.
Larger sponsorships for things like the driving range and the pavilion are still available.
The group recently unveiled a Friends of Brookside Golf Course Membership Program with five levels of support ranging from less than $50 to over $500 per year. So far, donors have given $6,000 for 2018 and pledged a total of $18,000 over three years.
The group has raised a total of $35,750 to date and plans to continue selling sponsorships and memberships.
The group is preparing to roll out a “Ways of Giving” program to encourage deferred gifts and an “In Memory and In Honor” program to allow individuals and organizations to remember a loved one through a gift.
Additionally, the group has secured in-kind gifts to support the golf course or the friends group. Several friends group members are also providing pro bono consulting work for the golf course.
Group members are also helping to plan and promote several outings this season, including a Mayor’s Invitational and a Friends of Brookside Golf Course Outing.
Friends of Brookside Golf Course is planning a recognition and dedication event 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10. The event will include a formal program, tours, a cook out and an opportunity to play golf.
For more information about membership in Friends of Brookside Golf Course, contact Billy Christian at 419-606-8199 or christian.william@ashland-ohio.com, or contact Gene Haberman at 419-282-6596 or ghaberman@zoominternet.net.
