In a 5-1 vote, Universal City’s City Council voted to pay $18,500 to Watermark Golf/Nathan Crace Designs to determine the scope of work needed to develop construction cost estimates and phasing timelines for golf course improvements on May 6. Watermark Golf/Nathan Crace Designs is a Mississippi-based boutique design firm.
The improvements—which include bunker renovation, irrigation expansion and cart path work—fall within the framework of recommendations presented to council by the National Golf Foundation in March.
Council member Bernard Rubal was the single dissenting vote.
What you need to know
The project is being funded by the golf course’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget, City Manager Kim Turner told Community Impact.
The potential improvements would increase golfer accessibility, according to the presentation given to council on March 20 by Richard Singer, senior director of consulting services with NGF.
The council also voted for NGF to conduct an economic impact analysis of Olympia Hills in April.
What council is saying
Mayor Pro Tem Christina Fitzpatrick said she thought the assessment would give council information to decide how to proceed with the golf course enhancements.
“I really see this as an opportunity to get us the information that we need to have to make informed, educated decisions for the community that we represent,” Fitzpatrick said.
Mayor Tom Maxwell said these improvements are necessary for Universal City and that the golf course was an amenity for the residents.
“I’m not a golfer, but I understand the importance of golfing. There [are] hundreds of friendships and business deals made on that golf course and around that golf course and at the events center,” Maxwell told Community Impact.
Next steps
The item will be brought back to council in late July or early August, Turner told Community Impact.
