Sidorakis Golf has big plans for Page Belcher, Mohawk Park

Above: Randy Heckenkemper, Mark Budler, Nick Sidorakis behind the counter at Page Belcher.

By Ken MacLeod

It was a hectic morning of trouble shooting and installing new systems, but the new golf management team of Sidorakis Golf is taking a long view toward improvements at the City of Tulsa courses Page Belcher and Mohawk Park.

Principals Nick Sidorakis and Randy Heckenkemper began a five-year contract today, April 1, to manage the courses. Both were on hand along with Director of Golf Mark Budler at Page Belcher today to greet customers as well as install point of sale, tee time and phone systems and about a thousand other details that need to be worked out.

The contract is for five years with two possible five-year extensions. Sidorakis Golf replaces previous Troon Golf Management, which had purchased previous managers Indigo Golf and Billy Casper Golf.

“I’m optimistic about the future, it’s just going to take a lot of work here and at Mohawk Park,” Sidorakis said today. “We’ve got a lot of work to do detailing tees, fairways and roughs. A lot of work to do on the irrigation system at both places. There’s a lot to address.”

In a release from the City of Tulsa, Mayor Monroe Nichols and Parks Director Anna America both said they were thrilled with the new management team.

“I’m excited for the future of golf in Tulsa, and I’m eager to see multiple improvements underway that are making Tulsa one of the best places to play golf in the region,”  Nichols said. “I couldn’t be more confident in the leadership of Nick and Randy, and I’m extremely thankful to have one of the best parks directors in the business – Anna America – creating a bright path forward for the future of Tulsa Parks and Tulsa golf.”

“When we first talked to Nick and his team five years ago, it was clear they had a passion not just for golf, but for making public courses better,” said America, the City’s Deputy City Administrator and Director of Parks, Culture, and Recreation. “They’ve already made a big impact at Page Belcher, and we’re confident this new partnership will bring even greater improvements to both courses.”

Sidorakis sent an email to all golfers in the email data base of the city courses detailing some of the plans. The letter follows:

“Our goal is to offer excellent golf course conditions while providing friendly, attentive, valued and cared-for service. Local management will provide guidance, experience, direction, support and leadership to our team as they take care of you. In addition, it will allow for continuous improvement in all areas of the operation and hands-on quick response to issues.

Golfers have asked for improved course conditions for many years. We will continually make improvements to each golf course at Page and Mohawk on an ongoing basis, through improved agronomic practices and paying attention to the details throughout both facilities. Randy and I raised nearly one million dollars from generous donors to invest in the City of Tulsa public golf courses. Combined with a one-million-dollar contribution from the city. Page Belcher has benefited from $1.5 million in golf course improvements over the past two years. These improvements include tree removal, topsoil, sodding, drainage, and a bunker renovation.

At Mohawk, a new half million-dollar irrigation pump station was installed. By early May, we will spend an additional $100,000 on much needed sodding of fairway at Mohawk Park golf course and purchase over $100,000 in much needed golf course maintenance equipment from the private funds raised.

Mark Budler, PGA is our Director of Golf. Mark was formally Director of Golf at Indian Springs Country Club and will be managing the daily operations at both facilities. Mark is an accomplished operator, golfer and teacher and we are excited that he will lead our team. We have hired Assistant Golf Professional, Blake Ivy, PGA at Page Belcher. Drew Bowen has been promoted to manage the golf shop and outside golf operations at Mohawk Park. Marsha Cooper will continue to manage both food and beverage operations at both facilities. Jason Casey and Tomas Hnizdo have been retained and will manage the golf course maintenance operations at Page Belcher and Mohawk Park golf courses. We have retained 95% of the team members from the previous operator, we will coach, train and provide direction and support to our team on a continual basis so they can take care of our patrons.