Golf Course Bidders Get Their Questions Answered

Fort Monmouth's golf course took one more step toward civilian life this week.

Monday was the deadline for interested parties to submit their proposals for the management and maintenence contract up for grabs at Suneagles Golf Course on Fort Monmouth property. On Sept. 16 the course will no longer be operating under the Army, but instead will be leased to the Fort Monmouth Economic Development Authority (FMERA). FMERA is offering a one-year contract to the successful bidder.

As a part of the request for proposal (RFP) process, intersted parties were allowed to submit questions to the authority which were posted on FMERA's Web site.

Seventy questions in all were submitted. To view the list yourself visit the FMERA Web site.

Many of the questions, like that from Pravin H. Patel of Pravin H. Patel Associates in Toms River, pointed the questioners back to materials included in their RFP packets or those distributed at the pre-proposal conference held at FMERA's offices at the Industrial Park in Eatontown. 

Here's question one just as it appears on the website:

Question: How can one obtain current financial data for the golf course which will include fee schedule, memberships (cost and number of members), operating costs, number of employees etc? (Submitted via e-mail from Pravin H. Patel, Pravin H. Patel Associates).

Answer: The financial information was distributed via email to the attendee list and in handouts at the pre-proposal conference.

Not all the questions were attributed, but several came from Ray Longobardi of Pebble Creek Golf Course in Colts Neck, who asked about irrigation, fire insurance and golf rates. Stephen Rice, Atlantic Golf Management, Inc. asked about financials and golf rounds for the past five years. Paul Bretzger of Bretzger Design asked about insurance and inspecting the site, something interested parties were granted as part of a tour during the pre-proposal conference on July 19. Douglas Hellman of Kemper Sports, of Northbrook, IL, asked, "Does the Authority expect to receive a fee from the management company?" To which FMERA said, "Yes."

One area of interest to the questioners was the discounted rates the golfers currently enjoy at Suneagles Golf Course. The RFP does call for a gradual increase in green fees over the next two years. Here is the language from the RFP:

It is the intention of the Authority that the golf course continues to be operated in a similar manner to that which it has been operated traditionally, with excellent services, responsiveness, and sensitivity to patrons with military and non-military backgrounds alike. Further, the Authority requires that the fee schedule that currently is used for greens fees, cart fees, memberships, and other such fees, for the 2011 season continue to be in effect through December 31, 2011. It is anticipated that the Authority would authorize an increase in fees of up to 20%, beginning January 1, 2012 for the 2012 season; and an additional increase of up to 10%, beginning January 1, 2013 for the 2013 season. It is the Authority’s intention to protect the current patrons from exposure to undue fee increases that may be necessary in the long-run to maintain the fee schedule at or near market rates, until after the 2013 season.

According to the questions and answers posted, FMERA is willing to negotiate these rate increases.

This RFP also calls for the management of the restaurant and banquet facilities at Gibbs Hall and Sal's 19th Hole. In answer to one of the questioners, FMERA said, this could not be taken out of the proposal. The notion of a liquor license for the facilities seemed to generate some confusion among the interested parties. According to the RFP, because those facilities currently operate on federal property, they are not subject to New Jersey liquor license regulations. That means there is no liquor license available to take over when the property becomes civilian (and thus subject to state regulations) next month. A successful bidder would need to apply for a liquor license from the .

Eventually, the Army will officially convey the golf course to FMERA and then FMERA will sell it to a private owner. Until then the Army will continue to be the landlord of the property. This generated a few questions about who will be responsible for repairs.

Here's one example:

Question: Who is responsible for capital repairs such as irrigation pumps, roofs, structures, etc.?

Answer: Generally, capital repairs would be the responsibility of the Army if the repairs were the result of naturally occurring events, i.e. storm damage. If the operator causes the necessity for repair, then it would be the operators responsibility. For example, the operator punches a hole in a wall (Gibbs Hall), that would be negligence and the operator would be required to fix it.

According to the RFP, interviews may be part of the selection process. These would be held on or about Aug. 11. FMERA expects to select the proposal and make public their choice at their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at .

Check out the YouTube clip of a flyover tour of the golf course in our photo gallery.