The Polson Bay Golf Association, a local non-profit, presented a draft proposal during a Polson City Commission Workshop on Thursday, March 18, to lease the Polson Bay Golf Course.  

The association has provided the city administration with a handful of leases that have been sent back and forth, and after a presentation from MIXT Industries on Feb. 17 to lease the course for 99-years, the association was provided with the same opportunity.  

The drafted lease terms include a 10-year lease that allows the city to retain its land while keeping the city’s tax status. It also proposed a minimum payment, which Josh Maki, the association president, said could be further defined and include a percentage of revenue.  

The goal is to lift the operational burden from the city, with the intent to provide responsive stewardship, community access, reinvestment and sustainability, Maki said. The association is made up of working or retired professionals in various fields, who represent different types of expertise and experience with the course.   

The association kicked off its presentation with member and attorney Kiel Duckworth, who grew up on the course. Duckworth explained that he wouldn’t have pursued golf if it weren’t for the accessible, affordable municipal course open to all types of golfers.  

“When we talk about whether the commission wants to go with this proposal, no proposal, or another proposal, it's that the culture here, with our golf course, is probably what matters most. It's a community asset,” Duckworth said.  

He added that the association isn’t pitching this idea because they think city management of the course is broken, but because it could “be a little bit better.” Duckworth said it is one of the many things the city does, and it isn’t something the city can devote all its time to.  

Maki noted that the association has bylaws and six voting board members, as well as an open voting seat for a city commissioner. They plan to hold rotating elections for board positions, and members are volunteers with no financial incentive.  

The association plans to retain the current course staff and hopes to offer employee incentives to support staffing, including seasonal staffing. Maki also said all standing tournaments and programs will stay in place.  

The association has long-term and short-term improvements it would like to make to the course, and it hopes, as a non-profit, to run capital campaigns to help generate funds for the course.  

Improvements for Bunkers Bar and Grill were discussed due to its recent staffing issues. However, Duckworth said he doesn’t see Bunkers as ever being independently profitable, and it should be viewed as part of the golf course. 

Roger Wallace, association board member and retired golf course director, pointed out that the city is a bit too hamstrung to run a competitive business and that the association could make more nimble decisions. He also added that he’s witnessed a major equipment breakdown in the middle of July, and with current government operations, it can be a timely process to get equipment replaced.  

Maki said in low revenue years, they would like to make a low minimal payment to the city. He added that there can be a possibility for slow or even deficit years, such as the economic crash of 2008, which hurt the course.  

During a discussion about the city possibly supporting the association through slow times, City Manager Ed Meece pointed out that one of his concerns is that the association is either in or out.  

“You can't be in when you want and then pull us in when you need us,” Meece said.  

With the nonprofit stepping in but having no current funds, the association representatives discussed whether it would have access to some of the golf course's enterprise fund, which the city uses to operate the course. Ultimately, Duckworth noted that this relationship would take a lot of trust.   

Maki presented suggested action items for the commission, including approval to proceed to the next steps and discussion of equipment transfers and insurance. Commissioner Carolyn Pardini noted she is in full support of the association taking over the course.  

However, Mayor Laura Dever said there will be no voting during this workshop, and the commission will host a separate work session to discuss the course proposals.  

Wallace noted that the association operating the course is not a new structure, and before the change of government in Polson, the course was operated by a golf association. He said there is no point for the city to go down this road if it can’t be a win for both the course and the city.  

While the room was in full attendance, little public comment was made. Cameron Milton, the director of golf for the PGA Pro Shop, said during public comment that he has received many questions from the public about whether the course will be leased, and he tells them every day, “I trust our leaders are going to make the right decision.”  

Duckworth added that this should not be a pressured decision for the commission.