Golf advisory committee credits urban forestry grant and club management as play climbs; irrigation replacement flagged as next major capital need

Representatives from Pocatello’s Golf Advisory Committee updated council on play, facilities and capital needs, and thanked the city and sponsors for recent support.

"Recently, we've been working with Rainbird software improvements at the irrigation efficiencies at Riverside," said DJ Mills, the committee chair, and Greg Albright, who manages course operations for Forgolf, reported strong participation: "For 2025, we did 84,113 rounds" and said sales increased roughly 13% year‑over‑year with pass sales (969) at a record level.

Committee members credited an urban forestry grant for enabling removal of approximately 30 trees across both courses to improve turf health. Staff and the committee flagged aging irrigation infrastructure (installed in the 1980s–1990s) at Highland and Riverside as a top long‑term capital need; course operators referenced comparable projects in the region with multi‑million‑dollar budgets and recommended council consider setting aside CIP funds or seeking bids when ready.

Council thanked the committee and asked staff to obtain current bids for irrigation replacement options and to return with a CIP funding plan.