– Bill Rautenstrauch

– The Observer

A pool of golf experts based in Castle Rock, Colo., will use its expertise to jump-start the financially troubled Buffalo Peak Golf Course.

During its regular session Wednesday, the Union County Board of Commissioners selected Golf Convergence, Inc., to write a course business plan and look at options for future operations.

Golf Convergence was one of three consultants responding to a request for proposals from the county.

The others were Sean Ward Development, Inc., of Grants Pass, and National Golf Foundation, Inc., of Jupiter, Fla.

Sean Ward Development is a consulting and real estate firm that specializes in golf properties. It is presently developing Country West Estates, a subdivision on the west side of Buffalo Peak.

National Golf Foundation is the company that wrote a business plan for Buffalo Peak in 2002, the year the county acquired the course from the city of Union.

Golf Convergence said it has worked on more than 400 projects in 45 cities and six foreign countries.

Services range from strategic planning to information and marketing technology.

In its proposal, Golf Convergence said it will do a market analysis that includes a stakeholder review, geographic local market analysis, weather impact analysis, customer franchise analysis and a golfer survey.

It will also perform an operational review that will include financial analysis, and wrap up its work with a business plan.

Depending on management and operations reviews, alternatives may be to improve, lease or sell the course, the proposal said.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Union County General Services Officer Dennis Spray said the price for Golf Convergence’s services hasn’t been set.

"The contract has to be worked out," he said.

Spray said the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department has agreed to pay 75 percent of the consultant fees.

In another item Wednesday, the board voted to help businesswoman Vicky Day open a gas station in North Powder. North Powder, situated 20 miles equidistant from La Grande and Baker City, is currently without a gas station.

Day’s funding request is for $16,500. The money is for upgrades for gasoline dispensers.

The board proposed taking half the money from the county discretionary fund and the other half from economic development funds.

The county discretionary fund advisory committee will review the request before the funds are granted.