International Golf Maintenance “IGM” recently partnered with Sun Communities to take over responsibilities for Cypress Greens Golf & Tennis in Lake Alfred, FL, and Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills, FL.
IGM announces a new partnership with Sun Communities for the maintenance of the Cypress Greens in Lake Alfred, FL, and Southport Springs in Zephyrhills, FL. “It’s a great opportunity to restore these courses to their former beauty and playing performance,” said IGM Executive Vice-President Greg Plotner. “And both will benefit from the economies of scale we can offer Sun Communities to maintain their properties.”
When Sun Communities purchased the Cypress Greens property, it was apparent the retirement community’s nine-hole golf course needed restoration. “The greens, tees, and bunkers were in bad shape,” said Michael Machikas, Divisional VP of Operations and Sales for Sun Communities. The company had successfully outsourced their golf course maintenance services in other communities, so they put the contract out for bid and subsequently hired IGM in May 2015. Machikas said, “I was impressed with Greg and his hands-on approach. He was knowledgeable and made recommendations for course improvements right away.” Soon thereafter, Machikas hired IGM for the Southport Springs retirement community, in which the 18-hole golf course had suffered similar neglect.
Immediate recommendations included a focus on fertilization, weed control, and updating the irrigation systems and the maintenance facilities. Plotner said, “A lot of maintenance had been deferred at both courses. We first needed to get a sound agronomic program in place and ensure the properties were being maintained consistently.” Since then, IGM has begun renovating bunkers, leveling tees and enlarging the teeing areas at Cypress Greens golf course. The Southport Springs course is still in the earlier stages of restoration.
IGM brought in experienced superintendent Glenn Esposito to oversee the Cypress Greens restoration and daily maintenance. Brandon Grooms remained on board as superintendent of Southport Springs, joining the IGM team and learning the company’s maintenance system.
Machikas noted, “Cost was not our number one concern, but IGM was less expensive than other bidders. More significantly, they were willing to do things the others weren’t. It’s clear they want to build a partnership. In business, you want to work with someone willing to walk with you for the long-term.”
ABOUT IGM
IGM is a leading golf course maintenance company, dedicated to ensuring the agronomic and environmental excellence of the courses we maintain. IGM contracts with golf courses, home owners associations, and country clubs to handle all aspects of turf and grounds maintenance by our experienced and trained team. Our customized maintenance programs incorporate all the resources necessary to meet the agronomic needs of the customers’ facilities – many times at a savings compared with historical spending.
For more information on IGM and the professional golf course services offered, please contact Greg Plotner, Executive Vice President, 407-589-7200. Additional information, including an electronic version of this release may be obtained by visiting IGM’s website at igminc.net.
Contact:
Greg Plotner, Executive Vice-President, IGM
407-589-7200