Baker's energy a refreshing sight at city course

While away at Murfreesboro a couple of weeks ago, I learned after arriving back in Dyersburg city officials had hired a new superintendant to oversee the operations at the Municipal Golf Course.

As has been stated in this space before, the game of golf has become somewhat of an addiction. Perhaps addiction is too strong a word, but on the course is where I can be found in most cases when not covering one of the many local sports.

Though usually the rounds take place at The Farms with the regular group of hackers simply enjoying a good day on the links, at other times playing the city course has become an enjoyable experience as well.

For that I credit new superintendant Bobby Baker.

Over the last two months Baker has been like a kid in a candy store. His energy and zest for running the golf course ended with his promotion after City Mayor John Holden witnessed how hard the man worked while in somewhat of an interim role as superintendant.

Though not the youngest stud in the barn, Baker has taken the bull by the horns and ran with it. The improvements are a refreshing site for a course that was on the verge of being leased to a third party out due in large part to continuous losses in revenue.

In the middle of a tough economy, over the last two months the course, for one reason or another, has suddenly turning into a bonified moneymaker. What has happened over the last two months for such a turnaround to occur? The question isn't an easy one to answer, but it seems rather simple when looking at the financial records over the last couple of months compared to years past.

Through the first four months of 2009 the course has seen an increase of over $10,000 in revenues. Yes, things are a changing. The guess here is both May and June were profitable months as well, and with Baker's desire to make the course of the best around, expect the improvements and the increased revenue to continue.

After obtaining the financial numbers for the last 29 years, I was more than puzzled at how the course appeared to lose so much money since 2002 when the popularity of the game is perhaps at an all-time high.

Realizing there are a large amount of expenses that go into keeping the course in the best possible condition, I don't want to guess or speculate about what has or has not been going at the course. What I do believe and am very sure of is with Baker involved with every decision, the course will return to something to be proud of.

No, I really don't know Baker very well, but in recent conversations I have found the man to be one with a vision to make the course something the city can be proud of, very proud. Isn't that the way it should be? I mean if the manager of the course and city officials aren't willing to do what is needed to make things better, then yes, turn it over to someone else and be done with it.

Personally, it doesn't matter to me who is in charge of what, but whoever is running the show needs to care about what is going on. Spend a minute or two with Baker and there will be no doubt about how much the man cares about the course and the future of it as well.

Though I've been wrong before and surely will be wrong again, with Baker's passion for not only the game of golf, but the municipal course as well, a good decision has been made. Yes, there were several able applicants that applied for the position, but watching the new superintendant at work has been a refreshing experience for a course that needed refreshing.

See you on the course.

Your comments are welcome at msmith@stategazette.com.