By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon City Council approved an approximately $13,000-$14,000 project at the municipal golf course at their September meeting.
David Strickland presented the project to council. He said they would like to seed a portion of the golf course with winter rye grass. Strickland said he got a quote for 20 acres. He said that the cost of the seed and pre-emergent was about $11,500. Then they would come back and fertilize it in November or December for about $1,500. He said the total project would be approximately $13,000.
Strickland said the seed would go out in the middle of October. He said he is concerned because they can’t blow off the straw and they would have to keep the carts off the fairway which could result in lost revenue.
Burt Rogers said that a golfer wants to play where there is green grass and many smaller courses will not be able to afford to do this.
Mayor Todd Davis said since this is the first year that he thought they should try to make it attractive. Councilman John Braddy agreed that they needed to make it as good as possible.
Davis said they had only reached eight percent of their membership goals and 15 percent of the cart fees goal. Senior cart fees and tournament fees are above projections.
City Manager Glen Wagner said that in June, they had 67 members; in July, they had 75 members; and in August, they had 62 members.  As far as rounds of golf played by members, in June, 536 rounds of golf were played; in July, 448 rounds of golf were played; and in August, 343 rounds of golf were played. As far as rounds of golf played by non-members, in June, 127 rounds of golf were played; in July, 150 rounds of golf were played; and in August, 177 rounds of golf were played.
Wagner spoke about the promotions they had run. He said they may want to look at restructuring prices.
The council approved the winter grass project upon a motion by Braddy and a second by Davis.
Todd Hayes said that at an area golf course, they did not seed and play dropped off. He said rye grass serves as a protective barrier for the Bermuda grass. He said the Bermuda grass will come back nice and lush.
Wagner spoke about the upcoming municipal golf tournament. He said the goal is to get $10,000 in hole sponsors because this is where you make money. Wagner said they will contact every vendor who calls on them.
Davis said they committed to the golf course. They plan to stay committed to it, and they are not going to “cheap out.”