New Operators For Putnam National Golf Course Unveiled
Putnam County officials have announced the selection of three companies that will operate the Putnam National Golf Club located on Hill Street in Mahopac
During a meeting of the legislature’s physical services committee last Tuesday, Chairman Carl Albano (R-Lake Carmel) said the county had received a total of 10 requests for proposals (RFP) for operation of the county-owned golf course and that was narrowed down to three.
The main contract was awarded to McCall Land Management, LLC, a Poughkeepsie-based company owned by Mike McCall, which specializes in golf course and athletic field management and maintenance.
SIMILAR: County Seeks a Public-Private Partnerships for Putnam National
The committee is also in the midst of final negotiations with Applied Golf of Millstone Township, New Jersey which will provide golfing services as well as Homestyle Catering and Food Service of Yonkers which will handle food and beverage services for golfers as well as catering for the facility.
“All three of the candidates who submitted RFPs had intriguing proposals. We feel those selected have the best chance to generate funds and get the golf course on its feet and self-sustaining,” said Albano.
McCall will serve as an independent contractor who will also oversee the financial operation of Putnam National and report directly to the legislature.
“I think you’re going to see marked improvements in customer service, food service as well as course conditions, said McCall, “Everybody is on the ground running to make this the best year ever.”
McCall says Putnam National is currently working on a new website, set to debut within the next week or two.
Initially, during her State of the County address, County Executive MaryEllen Odell had stated Putnam National would open for business on March 23. McCall said that was ambitious in light of the recent snowfall. He is hoping to open the course on March 29, weather permitting.
Putnam Legislator Sam Oliverio (D-Putnam Valley) asked if the course would be open in time for high school golf clubs to use the facility and McCall assured him it would.
The Putnam National Golf Club was purchased by Putnam County in 2003. The contract with the New Jersey-based RDC Golf Group, which managed the club on behalf of the county, expired on December 31.
Albano said the committee will continue to pursue long-range goals for the golf club including bringing in a full-time restaurant and an art gallery.
In addition, he says, other maintenance of the club is still ongoing. The blacktop of the parking lot is in need of repaving and drainage on the course needs to be improved. Albano said the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation of Patterson is currently working on designs for the repairs, after which RFPs will go out for actual construction.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.