Ryan Brennecke / The BulletinThe12th Hole at The Greens at Redmond golf course.

This is another installment in a weekly Tee To Green feature in which we check in via email with Central Oregon golf facilities for an offseason update. This week we contacted Michael Shipley, operations manager at The Greens at Redmond.

Shipley, who is the son of owner Randy Shipley, has been in charge of The Greens’ daily operations since the family purchased the course earlier this year. This is what he had to say about the current business of golf and about The Greens, an 18-hole executive course in southwest Redmond:

Q: How was business in 2014?

A: For our first year, we have had a better-than-expected response to our changes. Rounds were up, which included both the women’s and men’s clubs. Returning annual pass holders were about 95 percent, while new annual pass holders were more than what we had budgeted for. Our only area that didn’t see an increase was outside tournament play. Tournaments and leagues will be our main focus going into our 2015 season.

Q: Were any changes of note made to the facility during the last year?

A: When we bought The Greens at the first of the year, we said it would be at least a two-year project. Most of our efforts this past year went into bringing the course back to its original condition. We are way ahead of our schedule, as we are nearly 90 percent completed on bringing the grass on the greens to full playability and about 65 percent on the fairways and rough. We also restored the bunkers, which were almost like hitting out of concrete when we first took over at the beginning of the year.

Q: Are any changes and/or improvements to the facility scheduled for 2015?

A: Though no major changes were completed in 2014, the new tee boxes on (hole Nos.) 3 and 5 will be completed by the summer. These changes will mean new yardage distances, new looks from tee to greens, and course and slope rating adjustments.

Q: Much has been made about new initiatives to grow the game (FootGolf, 15-inch holes, Speedgolf, etc.). What, if any, of those initiatives would you consider the most promising?

A: The Greens has already designed a nine-hole FootGolf course using the “new holes” on our back side of the course. The first two months saw play increasing each week. We will have three afternoons dedicated to FootGolf and will increase the days and times when there is a need. So that we keep golf as golf, we will use our original nine holes for traditional golf while FootGolf is being played.

Q: Has your club either started to offer or does it plan to implement any of those initiatives?

A: We are also planning on having both traditional golf and FootGolf leagues throughout the summer. We believe in the “Tee it Forward” approach, making golf more enjoyable for more people and golf rounds that don’t take all day. We may also try the 15-inch holes next summer. Our philosophy is “Let’s make golf fun!” Because of that, we are open to all new ideas for the enjoyment of the game.

— Reporter: 541-617-7868, zhall@bendbulletin.com.