Gannon members support likely choice for new course operator

LYNN – David Brothers shrugged off chilly and damp weather Thursday to play a round of golf and express his confidence in longtime Gannon Municipal Golf Course greenskeeper Stephen Murphy?s ability to operate the course.Murphy and his North Reading firm, Golf Facilities Management, Inc., could sign a five-year, $2.1 million lease with the city soon, said assistant city solicitor James Lamanna.Murphy offered the only bid last month to operate Gannon and a three-member evaluation committee turned in its review on Thursday.Lamanna said city Purchasing Agent Charles White initially reviewed the evaluations and ranked them as “advantageous to highly advantageous.” White will finish his evaluation assessment before arranging for Murphy to sign the Gannon lease.Brothers has golfed for more than 60 years at Gannon and said the city could have simply handed Gannon?s operation over to Murphy without undertaking a lengthy proposal preparation and advertisement process.?It?s a big family up here. We?ve got one of the best courses around,” he said.Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy shares that view.?I think we could not have a better greenskeeper than Stephen Murphy – he knows every blade of grass up there,” she said.City officials followed the state Inspector General?s recommendations in putting Gannon?s operation out to bid. Previous operator Gannon Building Association ran the course under a contract that expired on Nov. 30. Lamanna said the city gave the Association a 10-day contract extension to operate Gannon through next week.Murphy?s almost-certain choice as Gannon?s next operator left longtime member Jack Imperial relieved.?Steve?s a quality guy. Members are happy it is going to be the club we?ve always had,” Imperial said on Thursday.Imperial said the Association?s contribution to Gannon during its years spent operating the course totaled $6 million, including investments into course upkeep and lease payments to the city.In drawing up its proposal for Gannon?s future operation, the city – in Imperial?s view – placed the burden for long-term and potentially expensive course upkeep on the taxpayers? shoulders. Gannon member Dan Blaney said the course is in good shape but needs repairs to golf cart paths.Lamanna said Murphy?s operation proposal includes an initial $400,000 annual lease payment with four annual $425,000 payments to follow. Clubhouse bar operations will continue, Lamanna said, under the same arrangement structured by the Association, and Murphy designated Diamonds Catering of Lynn to handle clubhouse restaurant and functions.Golf Facilities principal Chris Carter will operate the pro shop, Lamanna said, and share golf pro duties with another pro. The city is requiring Murphy to initially spend $25,000 conducting a long-term maintenance assessment.?Moving forward, we?ll know what monies are needed to run the course,” Lamanna said.