GolfNewsRI

As GolfNewsRI reported earlier today, the bid to operate and manage Triggs Memorial Golf Course opens on Monday, September 12. 

The 49-page Request for Proposal (RFP) document details what comes with taking over the historic Donald Ross course. 

While most of the document is not that interesting to the average golfer, there is about a ten page stretch that is quite fascinating. 

Here are the cliff notes: 

Inside the RFP 

The first 16 or so pages of the 49 page document are mostly information for the bidder, as far as, documents they have to fill out, sign and other things of that nature. 

They do note that bids are due by 2:15 p.m. on Monday and will be made available to the public.

For the general golfing public, that’s not all that interesting. 

For golfers, things get interesting starting on page 17 which is where the City of Providence notes that it is a 10-year contract. 

On page 20, it is unveiled that the lease payments for the winning bidders start at $200,000 per year for the first five years, then will increase by 3% for each year after that through 2032. 

By 2032, the lease payment will be up to $231,855. 

But those are not the only expenses that the lessee will need to handle. 

The City projects that Triggs needs about $1 million in improvements (page 19).

“A recent analysis provided to the Parks by a golf industry consultant concluded that approximately $1,000,000 in capital improvements were needed for the golf course and clubhouse,” writes the City. 

Two pages later, page 21, the City lays out the “priority projects,” in pretty good detail. 

(The following is a direct copy and paste from the RFP)

1. Curb Appeal – Revitalize areas that have an impact on the look and feel of the facility and grounds: Replace chain link fencing with welded wire or aluminum; add flowers, shrubs, and trees; repave parking lot. Remove or cover stockpile of sand at lower end of the parking lot. Secure and shelter trash dumpsters at lower parking lot. Add a digital message board; replace signage, lighting, and; improve the look of the club house exterior. All curb appeal projects will be completed within the first twelve months of lease. 

2. Clubhouse – Restore and modernize banquet facility including seating area and other interior upgrades. Develop interpretive signage or other display to showcase the prominent history and design of the course. Provide a comprehensive plan for using this space. 

3. Pro-shop – Upgrade the exterior with landscaping, perennials, and shrubs. Please tell us your plans for using this space.  

4. Course – Address areas of deferred maintenance, including: tee boxes to the start of the fairway, and the following holes where there is uneven ground, and other significant issues. Priority holes should be: 2,5,8,9,10,11,13,17,18.  

5. Cart path – Address significant issues with the pond and cart path on hole 16.

Later in the document, starting on page 32, the City goes back over some of these fixes that are needed, with pictures. 

After that, the City lays out “Community Engagement Priorities.” 

(Again, direct copy and paste from the RFP)

1. Host designated times during the week where under-represented and low-income children and youth who live in Providence can play at no charge. 

2. Be designated as the official course for all Providence Public School golf teams and offer the times needed to practice and hold matches. 

3. Offer free or reduced rate access to the driving range for the youth to practice their craft. 

4. Offer free golf clinics monthly on the driving range with professional instruction for our youth. 

5. Encourage the next generation of golfers: Develop an inter-City golf team and a development program with Button Hole Golf Course.

Over the next few pages, the City goes over tax requirements, equipment, pro shop merchandise and more. 

Starting on page 24, there is evaluation criteria with eight of the 10 criteria weighted at %5, and the last two weighted at 30 and 35% respectively. 

One thing that is interesting is that on page 25, under “Golf Course Management,” the City notes that green speeds are to run between eight and ten on the stimpmeter. 

The rough (page 27) is to be maintained at a maximum height of 1-3/4.” 

The final pages of the document are a Supplemental Bid Form, with the bidder having the opportunity to write in the yearly rental fee. 

(Remember the $200K from up above). 

The document concludes with the bidder needing to sign in a variety of places and a few other financial details like “Total Lump Sum Cost of All Capital Improvements Proposed.”