Middlesex County has entered into a new agreement with a third party —Billy Casper Golf–to manage its golf courses.
Billy Casper Golf has more than 25 years of experience and is responsible for more than 150 courses throughout the country, with more than 80 being municipally or county-owned, according to information provided by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA). The company currently manages three public golf courses in New Jersey, including those in Morris County.
The company will now take control of Tamarack in East Brunswick, Raritan Landing in Piscataway and The Meadows at Middlesex in Plainsboro.
The primary goal of this initiative was to bring on board a professional golf management company with the knowledge and experience necessary to improve the overall golf experience at these courses, while reducing costs and increasing visibility through a robust marketing and social media campaign, according to the statement.
“I am excited about the role Billy Casper will play to enhance the day-to-day operations of the county’s golf courses. They will utilize their best-in-class strategies to enhance course conditions, and to market and promote the courses. This will result in a better experience for our golfers, and increase the rounds played at each course,” H. James Polos, executive director of the MCIA, said in the statement.
“Billy Casper Golf brings great assets in their vast industry knowledge and national visibility, and their record of success in running, operating, and promoting golf courses across the country,” James P. Nolan, chair of the MCIA Board of Commissioners, said in the statement.
The contract is a one-year agreement at an annual cost of $210,000, according to Carol Byrnes of the MCIA.
There were 11 full-time and no part-time employees working at the golf courses.
“Full time employees from the golf courses will be moving to other positions in the county where their talents and experience can be most helpful,” she said.