Meyer is hired as Coordinator of Randolph Community Golf Course

RANDOLPH — Randolph City Council members met April 15 with action taken to hire Nicole Meyer of Randolph as coordinator of the golf course. The meeting was cast over Zoom due to virus restrictions.

According to Mayor George Bradley, Meyer was the most qualified candidate. She has experience operating a bar in Randolph.

Meyer will be working 40 hours a week. Her salary was not determined.

City Administrator Ben Benton presented a number of options about the golf course to Council members and golf course members at the meeting. He said he is looking into a 501C3 designation for the course.

Golf course representatives Mike Strathman and Bill Schmit presented information at the meeting.

The golf course is expected to open on April 23, weather permitting, although it is probable that no meals can be served and no gathering of patrons inside the clubhouse.

Strathman said the golf club house will ease into food sales.

“The next step is to decide on noon meals,’’ Schmit said. “We may try limited things and people can sit outside and eat.’’

Councilman Brad Bargstadt suggested the golf board wait until the virus situation changes as everything is so uncertain now.

“The more the City spends at the golf course the more involved we have to be,’’ Bargstadt said.

Schmit suggested there be only one board member who talks with the golf coordinator for instructions.

“We want everyone to get along. We are not at all opposed to the city paying expenses for the golf course,’’ Schmit said. “We would like to keep Ben Benton coming to meetings. There may be things that he can take care of.’’

Mayor Bradley said the city doesn’t want to micromanage the course.

“Our initial thought was to make the golf course a wash. We would like to get to the point of the city helping with $6,000 to $8,000, then get to zero assistance,’’ Strathman said. “If the city would help with wages that would make the profit better for the course. Wages constantly go up. In the past the IRS got involved. This is why the city is involved with the golf course. We are trying. We have a good board for the course.’’

According to Strathman, the course might make a lot of money or it might not due to the virus.

Bradley asked if the golf course can host a tournament with the restrictions added by Gov. Ricketts on sporting events.

“The liquor control commission and state entities have designated the course as an essential service,’’ Strathman said.

Sunday evenings are a popular time for golfers. Board members determined that the patio is legal for people to sit outside and drink at if the six-foot social distancing rule is followed. The state is concerned about congregating indoors.

Alcohol consumption is allowed. The state has put no limits on the course as long as no more than 10 people gather and people stay six feet apart. Off sale and inside sales are allowed.

The health department has said leagues should not be an issue, as they can practice social distancing. Strathman said they determined 56 golfers was not a problem.

Golf is needed here now more than ever, Schmit said.

“People have been inside and will want to get out,’’ Schmit said.

Even though the age of a lot of the people who golf in tournaments are in the high risk category, Strathman said that doesn’t see any issues.

“We haven’t had one person say they are not playing because of the virus,’’ Strathman said. “If something does happen in Cedar County, we may be shut down. We just don’t know for sure.’’

According to Strathman, the older men’s league only drink pop and eat chips and candy.

The Council concluded the meeting by going into executive session to discuss the details of Meyer’s employment.

“The liquor control commission and state entities have designated the course as an essential service,’’

— Strathman said