New manager tees it up at golf course

Published 12:40 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

Galbraith aims to make some improvements, attract more players

By Casey Steiner

The Courier-Herald

Scott Galbraith took over operation of the Enumclaw Golf Course Jan. 1 with high expectations from the city, the golfing community and most of all, himself.

In the last few weeks, Galbraith has successfully moved his two grade-school children and wife from Toppenish, where he was the head PGA professional at Mount Adams Golf Course for the past 14 years. Galbraith has a new five-year contract with the city of Enumclaw, making him responsible for the overall managerial responsibilities at the municipal course including maintenance, tournaments, the pro shop and the restaurant.

"It's been a dream of mine to own or lease a course," Galbraith said. "As soon as we saw the city and the land the course is on, we fell in love. The land is beautiful and the people are super friendly and down to earth. Enumclaw is a close-knit community and we have really felt welcome. I had a great stint at Mount Adams for 14 years, but it was time to step up to a new adventure."

As part of the agreement, Galbraith must give a percentage of the course's profits back to the city as a means to cover the cost of maintaining the city pool, which operates in the red. He must also submit a business plan and plan for promotion and marketing efforts by December.

"It will be a challenge for Scott, but we wouldn't have picked him if we didn't think he was up to the challenge" John Keates, the city of Enumclaw Parks and Recreation Director, said.

A group of seven made up the Golf Course Advisory Committee that chose Galbraith out of three applicants. One of the applicants was thrown out immediately for its "big business feel." In the end, Galbraith was the easy choice for Keates and the committee.

"Scott's a good fit for the course and the community," Keates said. "He has a good track record and we are favorably impressed with the direction he can take the course."

After he has a chance to get his bearings, Keates has plans to meet with Galbraith in early February to talk over initial improvements to the course.

"I've got some ideas, but they are going to take time to implement," Galbraith said. "The important thing people need to know is the greens fees aren't going to change and we're going to start working on improving the course right away."

Galbraith and course superintendent Chris Thornton are already working on sanding the greens. By spring, Galbraith said, golfers should easily be able to see improvements to the course. Along with the greens, early improvements are planned for the tee boxes on the second and third holes and the cart path and golfers will easily be able to distinguish between fairway and rough. In time Galbraith will meet with the city to discuss the course's drainage problems and other needed capital improvements.

As part of his promotional plan, Galbraith intends to build a Web site to market the course, the fully stocked Pro Shop and the restaurant. He also plans to produce brochures and flyers to be placed in area hotels and restaurants with the goal of increasing the number of rounds played each year by drawing new golfers from the ever-growing Plateau population.

Casey Steiner can be reached at csteiner@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.