Fernandina Beach Golf Course Battles Heat, Turf Disease and E-Bike Vandals
By Mike Lednovich/Editor
FERNANDINA BEACH — Extreme heat, scant rainfall, a recurring turf disease and e-bike riders tearing across greens battered the Fernandina Beach Golf Course in August, contributing to fewer rounds and forcing managers to restrict play while damaged greens recover.
The city-owned course recorded 19 days with a heat index above 100 degrees and received just 3.25 inches of rain during the month, Golf Course General Manager Jeffery Biggers told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on Tuesday.
“There was rain around,” Biggers said. “It just wasn't always hitting us.”
Rounds fell from an average of 113 a day last August to about 105 this August, a decline of about 7%. Golf revenue was down about 4%.
Total golf course revenue for the month was $132,821, slightly below August of last year. The amount collected in green fees per paid round edged up, however, from $31.66 to $32.03.
The weather also took a toll on the course itself.
Several greens on the north nine developed pythium root rot, a turf disease that Biggers said has been a recurring problem. He attributed it partly to the age of the greens and partly to weather conditions, particularly the summer heat.
“I think some of the weather and the heat really got to us, especially on our north course when we began aerification,” Biggers said.
Soil testing confirmed pythium root rot along with other fungal problems. Three or four north-course greens became bad enough that the course restricted play while maintenance crews treated them.
The north nine has since reopened, although Biggers said play probably will remain limited through September while the greens recover.
“They are coming back, which is great,” he said.
Some damaged areas could not be saved. Crews installed new sod on the first and fifth holes of the south course and planned to replace damaged turf on the practice putting green.
Biggers said the repairs are intended to get the course through until next year, when the city would like to undertake a larger renovation of the practice area and putting green.
The weather and disease weren't the course's only problems.
Committee members reported young riders on e-bikes entering the course and riding across greens.
One committee member said he encountered four riders on a green during an evening round.
“There were four kids on e-bikes on the green tearing up,” he said. “And so, like any good father, I yelled at them. And they yelled back at me.”
Biggers said the problem has become persistent enough that Fernandina Beach police have been called to the course twice. Residents of a nearby neighborhood also have reported riders cutting through their yards.
Staff members and golfers are being asked to call police when they see the riders and provide descriptions of clothing, helmets, bikes and the direction they are traveling.
“If you see them on the golf course, the city police is aware,” Biggers said.
Despite the difficult month, one part of the golf operation substantially exceeded expectations.
The course had sold 203 annual memberships through August, 113% of the number budgeted for the year. Biggers said changes allowing memberships to begin throughout the year rather than concentrating renewals in October and November have helped increase sales.
When membership revenue was included, Biggers characterized August as essentially a break-even month compared with recent months.
Food and beverage revenue fell 25% from the previous August, although it remained 23% above August 2024. Biggers attributed much of the year-over-year decline to two events held in August 2025, including a Fisher Investments luncheon and a large rehearsal dinner, that together generated about $5,000 to $6,000.
The course is trying to generate more business during the summer slowdown through discounted packages and dynamic pricing on Thursdays and Sundays. Under the plan, prices could move up as tee sheets fill or fall when demand is weak.
The course also is headed toward higher prices.
Proposed rates awaiting final City Commission approval would increase cart fees by $1 and green fees by $2 to $3, depending on the time of day. Annual memberships would increase by roughly 5% to 8%.
The commission is scheduled to consider the rates on second reading Sept. 15. Biggers said the approved rates would be posted afterward and would take effect with the new membership cycle beginning Oct. 1.
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