FCC offers something for everyone, By JOE KRAUSE, Sports Editor

“Have great day at FCC.” A few simple words on a banner that is more than a slogan, it’s a business plan.
Falls Country Club Golf Pro Tom O’Connell is in his 10th year at FCC and has seen the course grow and mature into one of the premier public courses in northern Minnesota.
“When I got here 10 years ago, they had a new 18-hole golf course with the equipment of an old nine-hole golf course,” O’Connell said. “That’s a bad combination.”
It’s taken nearly all of O’Connell's 10 years for the club to slowly move out of the deferred maintenance category and get the equipment up to speed. O’Connell is quick to point out that the upgrades were a team effort and would not be possible without the help of staff members and the board of directors.
The country club has recently purchased a new fairway mower, greens mower and tee and collar mower. The new equipment is an upgrade from the existing equipment and is expected to last at least 10 years.
“We have some really nice pieces of equipment that will help us well into the future,” O’Connell said. “We just try to maintain the equipment properly and use it as long as we can.”
Prior to the addition of the new equipment, the course had only one operational greens mower and would have been in trouble if the mower had broken down. The tee and collar mower that was in use prior to the new additions was from the 1980s and was also without backup.
“When you are mowing your golf course on important dates and you don’t have a backup piece of equipment, you are really exposing yourself to some big problems,” O’Connell said. “If you have break down, you might not be able to get it repaired and back on the course in time.”
For years, the main focus of the grounds crew has been having the course in great shape for the Smokey Bear Invitational. The Smokey Bear is the biggest tournament at FCC and draws golfers from all over the state.
“In the past, the course peaked at the Smokey Bear and that was about the only week it was in really great shape all year,” O’Connell said. “Now what we try to do is have Smokey Bear conditions all year round.”
The Smokey Bear is scheduled for next week and according to O’Connell, the course has been in Smokey Bear shape for almost a month.
Along with a good golfing experience, FCC offers guests a variety of social options including the hosting of birthday parties, class reunions, family reunions, graduation parties and even small weddings. The golf course hosted several graduation parties this past spring and has two weddings scheduled for later in the summer.
FCC has recently made facility improvements including the addition of a new covered deck with views of the No. 9 fairway and the Rainy River.
“When you go out there and sit on that deck and look at the Rainy River, it is an unbelievable view,” O’Connell said. “I like that it is set back from the golf course enough so that when you are on the No. 9 tee, you can’t see it. It is hidden by the trees.”
Along with the new deck, the course has constructed a new covered patio area for the outdoor grill. The course hosts several events each year that include a steak fry. The course provides a buffet and allows guests to cook their own steaks and hamburger on the grill, which adds to the social aspect of the course.
“The golf course is a true community center,” O’Connell said. “This brings together a lot of people that wouldn’t otherwise cross paths and that’s a good thing.”
Along with all of the services that the course offers, FCC employs two full-time, year-round employees in O’Connell and Mike Tanner, course superintendent. In addition, more than 20 seasonal employees that are made up of local high school and college age kids that are seeking summer employment. The seasonal employees have a range of duties that include working in the clubhouse, helping with golf instruction, and keeping the grounds clean and properly maintained.
“We are a golf-centered operation. It is those people that take care of the course that give us a course that’s in good enough condition that we can do the other stuff,” O’Connell said. “You always have to invest money in your course.”
FCC is continuing to grow and provide jobs and a place for hosting special events. According to O’Connell more changes are on the horizon. “We always have plans for more.”
The golf course is open to the public seven days a week, weather permitting, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a full bar and grill. For tee times or more information, call FCC at 283-4491.