Popular Fort Monmouth Golf Course Could Open Soon

It wasn't the that redevelopers were hoping for, but with the signing of a lease on Sept. 9, the Suneagles Golf Course could be open for business as early as this week.

That was good news for Allison Lehman of Ocean Township, one of three members of the public who showed up at the special weekday meeting on Sept. 9 held at the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority's Eatontown offices.

The course, which heavily discounted green fees to veterans, military retirees and civilian workers at the fort, , much to the chagrin of players and the FMERA board members.

"I want my golf course back!" she told Patch. Lehman, a member of the club since 1997, and her husband were avid golfers at . Lehman, who is a civilian employee at Fort Monmouth, took her lunch hour to attend the meeting she said, because she wanted to know when she could get back on the green, and how much it would cost her. "As members," she said, "it's been affordable for us to play there."

the contractor hired by FMERA to run the course, just made it through it's gubernatorial veto period and is now free to operate the course. However, Steadman said they would not begin operation until the lease is signed. The golf operator is bound by contract to keep green fees the same through the 2011 season and is only permitted to raise fees up to 20 percent next year.

The lease, which is between the FMERA and the Army, is a no-cost lease - meaning the local redevelopment authority won't pay a fee to the Army. It also has a few details to be worked out.

One is the Finding of Suitability of Lease (FOSL), which is a standard environmental report that shows the Army's determination that property is environmentally suitable for lease. FMERA officials say they expect the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to have the document from the Army by Monday. The will review it and then make a recommendation to FMERA.

The lease is subject to a governor veto period of 10 business days. FMERA's Executive Director Bruce Steadman said he hoped that process could be sped up and the course reopened on or about Sept. 15.

There was some concern among the board members at the meeting about upkeep of the greens while they are in transistion from the Army to FMERA and Atlantic Golf. The Army will continue to mow the grass until Sept. 12, according to Rick Harrison, the FMERA official, who orchestrated the request for proposal and hiring of Atlantic Golf.

"Time is of the essence," said FMERA Chairman James Gorman about the lease agreement. About the mowing he said, "You can get away with a week but after that it is going to be ruined."

Banquet Facilities Will Have Seperate Contractor

The golf firm will be in charge of the course operations only, and according to FMERA, is partnering with McLoone's Restaurants to operate the restaurant and banquet facilities. McLoone's, which operates six restaurants in New Jersey and one in Maryland, would not immediately begin to operate at the facilities. McLoone's representatives were not immediately available for comment.

A liquor license is required for the property which, until it closed last month, served liquor without a license because it was a federal property. Though the course and facilities will be operated as civilian, the property will be state run, which lands it in a new category: special annual concessionaire permit.

Special, however, doesn't imply that this is a special concession for FMERA, Harrison noted, but just the name New Jersey lawmakers gave the permit. This kind of permit is typical for state run marina's, state college pubs and municipal golf courses.

Harrison also said that 19th Hole bar and restaurant may open prior to the go-ahead to serve alcohol.

For local permits, such as food handling, McLoones will have to work with the borough of Eatontown. Steadman told Eatontown's Mayor Gerald Tarantolo Friday that he and the contractors plan to meet with Eatontown officials to secure all necessary permits and inspections.