Pierce Park Golf Course use rejected by MCC

Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut presented MCC board a plan to save Pierce Park Golf Course May 24 which would provide the college and its students a wide range of innovative opportunities. But 48 hours after the plan was presented, the MCC board of trustees turned it down.

"It's so easy," said Neithercut explaining his plan in a later interview. "Michigan State University developed a turf management program at the associate degree level that was slated to be implemented at a community college in Detroit. That college bailed out leaving MSU looking for a new partner," he said.

According to Neithercut the curriculum is fully developed, the books are in and the teaching staff is in place. If the MCC trustees decides to implement the program, credits earned by students would be fully transferable to MSU for a bachelor's degree. Additionally, Pierce Park Golf Course becomes the training ground instead of an overgrown hazard attracting vagrants and animals.

Other benefits to MCC and its students included MCC's athletic department could use the course for golf classes and as a home course for the golf team. Neithercut suggested MCC's culinary program could develop a banquet and conference center program using the clubhouse.

Neithercut advocated expanding MCC's automotive repair program to include mower, golf cart, tractor and equipment repair using Pierce equipment.

His plan outlined a possible partnership with the Flint Junior Golf Association. He suggested MCC's golf team players could be hired as instructors and MCC collect course fees.

"I asked the trustees to study the plan," Neithercut said. "They agreed to do it. The whole project is in their hands now. The city is willing to partner with MCC for the $50,000 savings — by not having to maintain the course the city could hire another police officer," he said.

However, 48 hours after the plan was presented the trustees turned it down.

"We're not interested in the golf industry in these hard times," said Michael Kelly, executive director of public information for MCC June 2. "Lansing Community College could not support a turf management program. To use the clubhouse for our culinary arts program would require millions of dollars of equipment. This plan would drain our resources from our primary focus — our mission to educate our students. We appreciate the compliment Judge Neithercut gave us but we are not in the golf course business," he said.

Neithercut said that he would consider presenting the plan to officials at Baker College and Kettering University if MCC declined.