A view of the clubhouse at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Ind., Friday, May 7, 2021. Tim Davis and Mitchell Eickhoff have been named as the new head golf pro and course superintendent, respectively. Mike Wolanin | The Republic `
City officials are looking for buyers for Otter Creek Golf Course and seeking a number of commitments from any potential new owner — including at least $5 million in improvements over the next five years.
The Columbus Board of Works voted Tuesday morning to release an Request for Proposals (RFP) contingent on Columbus City Council approving a resolution to authorize the sale Tuesday night.
City Director of Finance, Operations and Risk Jamie Brinegar said the deadline for proposals would be April 26, assuming the resolution is approved. Bids would then be opened by the Board of Works.
The resolution — a late addition to Tuesday’s agenda for city council — authorizes Mayor Jim Lienhoop to seek a disposition of the golf course “in a manner that provides best terms available to preserve the Otter Creek Golf Course as an amenity for the community.”
“Otter Creek Golf Course is a significant recreational offering for the city’s residents and is a destination golf course that contributes to the City’s economy,” the resolution states. “It is the city’s desire to retain the golf course as an amenity for the community and it has been determined that transitioning the Otter Creek Golf Course to private ownership may be the best way to accomplish this goal.”
The RFP states that sale of course would include “all associated real estate, buildings, equipment, furniture and fixtures in ‘as is’ condition along with ongoing leases for golf carts and grounds equipment.”
Additionally, the city of Columbus and the Otter Creek Management Corp. would use buyer’s funds received at closing to pay off “all loans, long term and current liabilities exclusive of leases in place.”
“This Request for Proposals seeks comprehensive proposals including the buyer’s intentions for Otter Creek’s long term future as a championship golf course, preserving its rich history while serving the citizens of Columbus, Indiana and the surrounding region,” the RFP adds.
Assuming the RFP is released, the city would rank all received proposals and then enter into conversation with the top-ranked buyer regarding sale of the course. The finalist may also be invited to present in front of a selection committee. If these discussions are unsuccessful, the city may choose to communicate with other qualified respondents or amend the process.
The RFP includes a number of commitments for the buyer, including that they invest a minimum of $5 million to address deferred capital and maintenance needs related to the clubhouse and golf course within five years of purchase, “maintain Otter Creek’s original 18 holes for a minimum of 15 years in a manner consistent with the original Robert Trent Jones’ design,” commit to maintaining the course as an amenity to Columbus and the surrounding region, keep the “core leadership staff” for a minimum of one year and honor existing memberships.
Additionally, one of the required documents for proposals is a summary on the applicant’s vision for the course’s future, including actions to improve Otter Creek’s condition “as well as preserve the rich history of this gift left by J. I. Miller and Cummins to the city of Columbus.”
The Otter Creek Management Corp.’s board recommended in early February that the city consider selling the course, given the financial requirements of maintaining the venue.
“Our obligation to the community, to Mr. Miller’s vision, is to make sure it has the best chance to retain its historical position as a must-play Robert Trent Jones destination course,” said Board Chairman John McCormick at the time. “We think the odds are higher in the private sector. Like most businesses, you have to spend money to make money.”
Cummins gifted Columbus with Otter Creek in 1963, when J. Irwin Miller and the company agreed that a great golf course would increase Columbus’ attractiveness to people who choose to live in or visit the area. Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones created the course, and Cummins donated land for an additional nine holes in 1993.
Otter Creek has been a public, city-owned course since it opened.
In January of 2020, Cummins decided to reduce its involvement in the Otter Creek Management Corp., and the city assumed full control of the course.
At the time, Lienhoop noted that the 54 holes of golf found between the three city courses of Otter Creek, Greenbelt and Par 3 might be more than the city needed. This led to research into Columbus’s golf offerings and a number of discussions between officials regarding the future of the three courses, given the financial cost of subsidies.
While some of the scenarios discussed posed the possibility of closing all or at least a portion of Otter Creek, the option most seriously considered was that of closing Greenbelt. However, this move was vehemently opposed by a number of citizens, and all three courses remain in operation, thanks in part to financial support from the city.
“This is something we’ve been dealing with since December of ‘19,” Lienhoop told the board of works. “…It’s just trying to find a long-term solution for that (Otter Creek) property.”
