NEOSHO, MO.--- During colder months, there aren't many people hitting the greens at the Neosho Golf Course. However, there will be some changes in how the course is operated before the weather warms up again.
"Our golf course manager said that he was giving his resignation to his contract. So it kind of put us in a have to situation," says Troy Royer, City Manager.
"Our golf course manager said that he was giving his resignation to his contract. So it kind of put us in a have to situation," says Troy Royer, City Manager.
Instead of entering into another contract with a new Golf Pro, city leaders have decided to take over operations at the course.
"This is a trial time to see if we can do it and save the people money and make it as good as it can be," says Steve Hart, Neosho City Council.
"Before with the contracted service with the management company, they were their employees. This way, I think as a city, we will have a little more control over the employees and what's going on out at the course," says Royer.
City Manager, Troy Royer says operating the golf course does pose some risks for the city.
"Of course, as anything that you venture into, especially with the employee portion of it and running the pro shop," says Royer.
City leaders believe managing the golf course is a big responsibility.
"The irrigation system, the chemical, and fertilizing regimen that they've went through to improve the course and make it what it is today," says Royer.
"It has come a long way and we want to keep it that way," says Hart.
City council members say the golf course can be a useful tool in growing Neosho's economic development.
"It's had its problems with debt, and this and that, but we've gone a long way in the last couple years to bring it back to one of the best golf courses in the area," says Hart.
"As a recreation for people here to do, other than just our parks, to also have a golf course. It is also a draw to Neosho for people to come to Neosho and play the course," says Royer.
The city manager has 90 days to hire a new city employee to run the golf course before the current Golf Pro is out of his contract. The 16 workers at the Neosho Golf Course will all have to reapply to keep their jobs .
