NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Aug. 16, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 279
For more information contact Charles Salkin, Director, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9220; or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
New management announced for Garrisons Lake Golf Course
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation announced today that a new management company will oversee day-to-day operation and maintenance of Garrisons Lake Golf Course. Forewinds Hospitality, which currently manages the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club at White Clay Creek State Park, will assume management of the facility beginning Aug. 16th.
“Providing high quality recreational opportunities is a critical function of the Department,” said Collin O’Mara, Secretary of DNREC. “This change will ensure that golfers continue to enjoy the course and its amenities while the Division of Parks and Recreation pursues a long-term management contract.”
“The interim agreement with Forewinds Hospitality is good news for the Garrisons Lake golfers,” said Charles Salkin, Director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “They will honor all memberships, gift certificates and outings. The Forewinds management team will bring their industry leading expertise in managing public golf courses and focus on providing exceptional customer service,” Salkin added.
“Forewinds Hospitality is one of the region’s most sought after businesses for hospitality management and operation of premier private and public golf clubs, daily-fee golf courses, catering facilities, restaurants and more,” Salkin continued. “Their executive team possesses a unique blend of experience built over decades. Jeff Robinson, Sales & Marketing Director, for example, brings a thorough background from the golf industry, including the American Golf Corporation, Arnold Palmer Golf management and Meadowbrook Golf,” Salkin said.
The transfer of management is supported by the current operator, The Golf Course at Garrisons Lake, Inc. “We are proud of the improvements that were made and for the opportunity to manage Garrisons Lake Golf Course,” said Jeff Allen, General Manager of the Golf Course at Garrisons Lake, Inc. “The difficult economic climate and unusual weather this past year presented us with challenges. We believe bringing in Forewinds Hospitality is a good solution.”
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with the Division of Parks and Recreation as interim operator of Garrisons Lake Golf Course,” noted Forewinds Hospitality Managing Director Ron Winarick. “At Garrisons Lake, we will employ our same high standards for exceptional customer service and quality course conditions as we have at Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club over the last five seasons.”
The Forewinds Hospitality interim agreement is in effect until a long term contract is negotiated for the course. A Request for Proposals soliciting management companies will be advertised within the next 30 days and a new operator is expected to be in place with a long term agreement in early 2011.
