Course Repairs, Alcohol Ban Concerns In Mount Hood Management Review

Maintenance and repair costs at Mount Hood Golf Course, enforcement of the course's alcohol ban and safety throughout Mount Hood Memorial Park were concerns raised by the Melrose Park Commission during a review of Golf Management Company's (GMC) management at the commission's meeting Monday night.

GMC's current contract expires at the end of the year and Park Commission officials will determine whether to renew the contract with GMC at their next meeting on Monday, Aug. 9.

GMC owner Phil Friel said the Mount Hood Golf Course hosts approximately 45,000 rounds of golf per year. He said one of the biggest challenges is maintaining the walk-offs around the putting greens because of heavy foot traffic. Another concern Friel had was increasing maintenance costs on a public golf course.

"Flowers are great, but we're not the Country Club of Brookline," Friel said. "It's a great credit that the place is not as worn out as it could be. Some places have a serious budget [for improvements]. The next thing we know, we're paying an extra $20,000 [in maintenance costs]."

Mount Hood Park Superintendent Joan Bell said that improvements should be made near the clubhouse and first hole waiting area. There were also questions about who would be responsible for the bunker maintenance and repair costs. Bell said she had concerns about the contract's language. 

"What's contractual and what isn't regarding maintenance of the course?" Bell asked. "A lot of times it is unclear."

Friel said it would cost about $3,000 to add sand to the bunkers. Park Commission Chair Mike Interbartolo said the bunkers should be refilled annually, according to the contract with GMC. He said that GMC maintains the course, but the Park Commission is responsible for any new construction.

"It seems like [GMC] owns this," Interbartolo said.

In addition to course improvements, Interbartolo asked for a stricter enforcement of the golf course's ban on alcohol consumption.

"My partner and I must have observed three coolers last week [during a round of golf]," Interbartolo said. The course currently has a sign that says "no coolers," but Interbartolo said that many golfers continue to violate the ban.

"It's always going to be a challenge for us," Friel said, because many other local courses serve alcohol to golfers. Friel said he would post signs on the course and change the course policy to note that "all coolers will be subject to search."

Several Park Commission officials also raised concerns about course safety, especially regarding golf balls in play.  Although signs are posted throughout the course, Interbartolo suggested adding trees or other natural barriers along the access road to the 17th hole to protect pedestrians from errant shots.

"People are just oblivious to the fact that they're walking on a golf course," said Park Commission member Bob Christiansen.

Golf cart safety is also a concern, as several golfers have parked their cart on steep inclines without fully locking the brakes.

"They lose a cart or two every season [on the steep inclines]," Interbartolo said. Interbartolo also added that several golfers drive the carts on public roads, which violates state law.  

During public comments at the Park Commission's July 12 meeting, Myron Dittmer, President of the Mount Hood Park Association, asked about hiring overnight security to protect the park from loitering and vandalism. Friel said that GMC works in conjunction with the Park Commission and the police, and that local police officers have been asked to routinely check areas where suspicious activity might take place. Friel said they would not be hiring overnight staff security.

The next Melrose Park Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Mount Hood Golf Course Clubhouse.