Letter to Mayor Marcuccio: RedGate is Doing Very Well

Francis A. McDonough

11800 Canfield Rd.

Potomac, Md. 20854

August 5, 2012

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio,

Rockville City Mayor,

111 Maryland Avenue

 Rockville, MD 20850

Dear Madam Mayor,

After the long fight, was saved in large part by the foresightedness of Bridget Donnell Newton, former Council member John Britton who kept an open mind, and you, a life long resident of Rockville. You have seen the City grow from farmland to a dynamic city so you bring an historical perspective as well as leadership to the Mayor’s office. These are important now as Rockville is in the midst of a transition to even more growth and density for its city residents.

The new operators, the Billy Casper group are doing a fine job. In March through June, I found new improvement every time I went to Redgate, normally 2-3 times a week until July when business and travel caused me to miss out on Redgate for the month.

The improvements include lots of painting, generous use of carts, and opening formerly roped-in areas to allow faster play, new distance markers on the longer holes, a remodeled clubhouse, use of debit cards for tournament winnings, an active web page, lower rates, and a few dozen other changes. The greens and the fairways have been beautiful to behold, equal to the top courses in the country, and better than many local courses with prestigious names.

These changes are making a huge difference. Redgate is a roaring success. More than 550 golfers played at Redgate on each of the last two weekends in June. This means groups of three or four teed off from the first tee every eight minutes for ten hours each day. Golfers are packing the parking lot 10 hours a day on weekends. On Sunday June 24, 2012, I went to Redgate late in the afternoon to practice chipping and putting, expecting to play a few holes after 6 PM. At that time, to my surprise, there was a backup on the first tee with one foursome on the tee, and four carts in line waiting patiently for their turn.

Some may say that the former operators of Redgate could not have done what the Billy Casper group is doing to bring more players to Redgate. This may be true but we must remember that two Council members, the City Manager, and his financial manager rigidly following accounting principles, took a debt free asset and placed a dark cloud over Redgate for two years probably driving existing and potential new players away. Let's give the former managers and line workers in the pro shop and out on the grounds credit for keeping the course in respectable condition when part of the city government seemed to oppose all of their efforts.

Let’s also give credit to the Billy Casper group. They know what they are doing and they are working long hours to make Redgate the success we see.  Finally, mention should be made of Joe Jordan and the Redgate Advisory team, that worked for three years to provide analyses to you and the Council.

Phyllis and Bridget, you might invite the new Council members John Hall Jr., and Tom Moore, plus old hand Mark Pierzchala to take the short drive to Redgate so they can renew their experience with the beautiful gem the city owns—the Redgate Golf course, a green space for future generations. 

Also, you might want to invite the Redgate management team— Brian Simpson General Manager, Michael Cooper, PGA Head Golf Professional, and Jason Smith, Superintendent—to visit with the Council sometime this year to brief you on the good news.

Best regards,

Frank McDonough

Cc Council member Bridget Donnell Newton