Palmer to Run Its Own Municipal Golf Course After Contract Talks Fail

The shift ends an almost two-decade-long relationship with the city's golf course contractor.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The City of Palmer, Alaska will take over operations of its municipal golf course for the first time in decades after officials and the facility's longtime operator, Eagle Golf Course Management Inc., did not reach a new contract agreement by an early March deadline. The city plans to run the golf course itself through its community development department, ending an almost 20-year relationship with the contractor.

Why it matters

The decision to end the contract with Eagle Golf Course Management comes after months of debate on the city council and in the community over whether the operations agreement should be extended, how the contract should be updated to comply with federal aviation rules since the land is owned by the city's airport, and whether the golf course land should ultimately be absorbed into the airport.

The details

George Collum, who owns Eagle Golf Course Management and has overseen the 7,200-yard golf course and clubhouse since 2007, said he was notified last week that negotiations are off because he did not meet a March 2 deadline. Rather than hire a new contractor, the city plans to run the facility itself, with the goal of rehiring some of the employees who worked for Collum. The golf course has brought the city an average of $66,000 in profit annually since 2022.

  • The city's contract with Eagle Golf Course Management ended on March 2, 2026.
  • The golf course typically opens for the season in May.

The players

George Collum

The owner of Eagle Golf Course Management, which has operated the Palmer municipal golf course since 2007.

Jim Cooper

The mayor of Palmer, Alaska.

Kolby Zerkel

The city manager of Palmer, Alaska.

Eagle Golf Course Management Inc.

The company that has operated the Palmer municipal golf course for almost two decades.

City of Palmer

The municipality that owns the golf course land and is taking over direct operations of the facility.

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What they’re saying

“The administration worked very hard to negotiate a new contract with the previous contractor, and unfortunately, their legal counsel and our legal counsel couldn't come to terms. So the city is going to keep the golf course open as a municipal department.”

— Kolby Zerkel, City Manager (Radio Free Palmer)

“I personally think it is a mistake, because part of getting people to come to Palmer — besides a beautiful golf course — is the fee structure and making sure it's a competitive price. The idea of a municipal golf course is that it's kept affordable for the community, it's an asset for the community.”

— George Collum, Owner, Eagle Golf Course Management

What’s next

The city plans to hire some of the employees who previously worked for Eagle Golf Course Management and aims to open the golf course for the 2026 season, which typically starts in May.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing tensions between municipal governments and private contractors over the operations and pricing of public amenities like golf courses. It raises questions about the role of community values, affordability, and compliance with federal regulations in the management of local public assets.