By JIM BUTLER

The England Authority has authorized negotiating with a new Oakwing Golf Course management company.

Barring unforeseen hurdles the change will be effective January 5, according to action at the Authority’s November 20 meeting.

Bloom Golf Management, headquartered in Pass Christian, MS, is the chosen successor to Elite Golf, which has managed the facility since the decade began.

Elite has been on a month-to-month agreement since October.

The Authority issued a request for proposals earlier this year and in August held a pre-submittal review with interested firms.

From that evolved an October meeting of the Management Contract Selection Committee with Bloom, Elite and three other firms, after which the committee apparently recommended Bloom.

Those discussions were in executive session, as allowable under Louisiana law, for obvious reasons. 

Stated goals in making a choice included:

•  Proper qualifications;
•  Ability to manage during renovations;
•  Understand/manage the dynamics of members and daily fee golfers; Put necessary resources in Alexandria to properly manage the facility; Improve economics for the Authority and maximize return on investment.

According to the most recent audit report, issued in January for the year ending June 30, 2024, Oakwing revenue that 12 months was $1.5 million and expenses totaled $2 million.

Bloom is contracted to manage some courses in several states and is a manager-investor in some others.

Its Louisiana ventures include Oak Knoll in Hammond and Copper Mill in Zachary.

There is an indirect connection to Alexandria among Bloom properties.

Grady K. Brame, a son of the late Alexandria businessman Scott Brame, legendary in Louisiana golf and other activities, is an investor and board member at Oak Knoll.