Parish golf course chairman: Working on issues

Rudy Sparks, chairman of the Atchafalaya Golf Commission, updated the St. Mary Parish Council on the current status of the facility Wednesday.
“The last two or three years the golf course has been no exception to the downturn in St. Mary Parish,” Sparks said. “We continue to have our trials and tribulations like everybody else, but we’re kind of holding our own.”
Gross revenues of all operations including food and beverages rang in at $1.6 million, down some $30,000. Green fees, Passover income, and pro-shop income and sales totaled about $800,00, which Sparks said was slightly down.
“We’re doing what we can to redirect that and improve further play at the course,” he said.
AdLink, a computer program on the golf courts which promotes merchandise and supplies, has generated $130,000 for the year.
“We’ve had a lot of tournaments that have not really moved but haven’t held a tournament in two or three years because of the downturn in the economy,” Sparks said, and that he is hopeful the economy will improve and those events will return.
The course offers several specials to incite visitors at reduced rates.
The restaurant on the course has seen a drop in income but “they have been able to hold steady. This year it looks like they’ll do about $970,000 in gross income.
There has been an increase in renting the meeting room onsite.
Total income results in about $70,000 in sales taxes.
Sparks said total operating expenses have been held down, Sparks said, without effecting the quality of the facility, from $1.2 million previously to about $1.1 million or less, with auditing expenses accounting for some of the present total.
Demographic information reveals that 41 percent are from St. Mary Parish, 52 percent from the region, and 7 percent from out of state, among users of the course.
School golf tournaments are utilizing the course as well for their team play.
Social media has helped the course, with good reviews, and the commission is updating its online presence, through private funding
The commission is advertising for a position that would recruit tournaments at the course, on a commission basis, funded by private sources.
There will be serious fundraising efforts upcoming, Sparks said.
Sandtrap renovations are to be completed as a cost-saving measure.
Golf cart batteries were recalled, and were overhauled at a savings of $50,000, which will allow the carts to run another four years. And the course lease is paid up next April.
There has been no change in fee schedules in years, Sparks noted.
Councilman Glen Hidalgo said the report was the same every year. He said the way to turn around the course is to have more play, and he’s heard from golfers who say it’s too expensive to play at Atchafalaya.
“We’ve been in a very difficult time in the last few years,” Sparks said. “The economy in this area is taking it on the chin. I think we have done a yeoman’s job holding this thing together under the circumstances.”
He cited and recited the advances the course has made in frugal operations and costs, as well as new ideas to continue moving the course closer to full success.
“I think you have to look at the bigger picture that it’s not just about the money we make,” Sparks said. “We’ve got economic impact, we’ve got jobs created, we’ve got high school and collegiate programs, a lot of people that are being exposed to the game of golf that might never have been exposed. We have people who come here from all over the country, from all over the world, to play this golf course. It’s given us an opportunity to showcase this parish.”
He stressed that the commission is doing everything it can to control costs and losses.
“I’d just like to see the course making profit or at least breaking even, even just losing a little bit of money,” Hidalgo said. “I agree you’re doing everything you can do, but in the last couple of months, when you wouldn’t even look at (management companies) that’s not doing everything you can do to make that place better.”
Sparks said he disagreed but would discuss the matter at the proper time and place. But he added, “The commission is against bringing in outside management that’s going to cost you at least $100,000 and that money will not be circulated in this economy, it will be brought to Tucson, Arizona or Chicago, Illinois. The commission is working diligently for you…I probably work 20-25 hours a week for the past 12 years on this golf course, and will continue to do so.”
Also Wednesday, an ordinance from Councilman Dale Rogers to make the parish president’s salary would be 65 percent on the average based on the salaries of the sheriff, assessor and clerk of court, failed.
But Rogers did win approval of another ordinance raising council pay for single member districts to $800 and at-large members to $1,200, effect the next term of office. It must be approved by voters.
In other business Wednesday:
—Alfreida Edwards invited the council and public to National Night Out at Pecot Park in Franklin, Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m.
—Ordinances were introduced for two zoning map amendments, a specific use permits, and amending an ordinance with changes for public comment at council meetings.
—Six ordinances were adopted abolishing various sub-districts as a result of consolidations.
—The 2018 budget was adopted and re-enacted as amended.
—An ordinance was adopted establishing fees for boat launch use and other related matters.
—An ordinance was passed redefining and amending an ordinance on the representatives on the 911 board.