IGM is proud
to announce a new partnership with Sun Communities for the maintenance of the
Cypress Greens golf course in Lake Alfred, FL. “It’s a great opportunity to restore this course to its former beauty
and playing performance,” said IGM Executive Vice-President Greg Plotner.
When Sun
Communities purchased the Cypress Greens property, it was apparent the
retirement community’s 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.”
Those
immediate recommendations included a focus on fertilization, weed control, and
updating the irrigation system and the maintenance facility. Plotner said, “A lot of maintenance had been deferred. We
needed to get a sound agronomic program in place and ensure that the property
was being maintained consistently.”
IGM brought
in experienced superintendent Glenn Esposito to oversee the course restoration
and daily maintenance. A previous
Cypress Greens maintenance employee remained on the crew. While the contractual
relationship is new, IGM is already in process of renovating the bunkers, leveling
tees and enlarging the teeing areas.
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.”
