By Joe Morey
News Editor
The Big Fish Golf Course reported three consecutive years of growth under the ownership of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, with revenues more than doubling during the 2021 season.
The Course was able to present a check in the amount of $160,000 to the LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) on Monday, Dec. 20. The check represented net revenue for the season, up from the $72,000 presented in 2020.
William LaPointe, the new general manager hired this season, said it was an amazing year.
“We got to see what this course is truly capable of,” LaPointe stated. “We had more rounds played than ever before and the course held up great. In previous years there was a lack of people and a lack of play. What this course really needed was people here to experience a top notch Pete Dye course. With the launch of our membership drive last year, we did just that. We increased from a 2019 total membership of 51 golfers to 221. A 420% increase.”
LaPointe credited the membership drive as the major reason for the increased revenue, but he said it was the excellent customer service, the employees, and the great shape of the course.
“When people come to a Pete Dye Course, they have a certain level of expectation, and I believe we gave that to them,” LaPointe said.
Chris Rusk, Chairman of the Big Fish Golf Board, said in his two years as chairman, all he has seen is growth.
“We doubled our net revenue and I think we are going to see a lot more revenue increases going forward,” Rusk said. “This next year we are going to roll out our hole sponsorships. This will build more revenue for our course.”
He added, “There are many things that aren’t operating to their full potential, such as Mulligans or the beverage carts. These things will improve over the next season and that will also add more revenues.”
LaPointe added, “It’s safe to say, the Course’s best years are yet to come.”
The Big Fish Golf Course has a Board of Directors that includes Rusk, Vice Chair Randy Cadotte, Treasurer Agnes Fleming, Michelle Beaudin and Joe Morey. The TGB Liaison is Tweed Shuman.
Pictured above is a check presentation to the LCO TGB from the Big Fish Golf Course. L-R) TGB Member Gary "Little Guy" Clause, Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge, Big Fish Chairman Chris Rusk, LCO Chairman Louis Taylor, Sec-Treasurer Tweed Shuman and TGB Members Michelle Beaudin and Don Carley.
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