cell phone towers Cancel The title field is required!

1. Matthew Devine

   

   0 posts
   
   7/18/2013 4:07 PM

   For those of you who have been involved in a cell tower going up on the golf course property, was this something that they came you about or did you request one to be in your area. If you asked, what would be the best department to contact at one of the cell service providers? Also, what kind of requirements or benefits are there to having one on site?

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   7/18/2013 4:07 PM

   We just replaced a 200' tower used as a radio repeater and now the host tower for our Wi-max network we own. We are also in the process of constructing an even taller tower at the rear of our property. As soon as the application was submitted for boht towers, we started receiving calls about being able to piggy back for cell usage. They've called us, not the other way around.
   
   Now that you know your area is needed for a new tower, I'd at least look into the possibility of constructing your own tower, then sell space on it to providers. Much more lucrative this way. You'd have to work with an engineer, or even a provider itself, but you want to retain ownership in the end. often these providers will construct the tower, pay you lease for the land, then sell tower space so that their own initial costs are recovered.
   
   Golf courses can hold these providers by the balls, so to speak, because they cover a lot of land the tower possibly can be situated at. Especially if surrounded by development with minimal room for the equipment. In other words, they will be very friendly with negotiations. You have what they want, play hard to get.
   
   With 4G rolling out very rapidly, the need for more towers is ever present. 4G doesn't have as strong of a signl as its predecessors and therefore requires intermediate towers to provide complete coverage.

   
   
   
   
3. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   7/19/2013 8:07 AM

   AT&T contacted us a year ago about building one on our course. We just happen to be situated in an area of their need. We agreed to lease them the land for $1,800 per month but they have to build the tower and it has to be a stealth tower which is only a tower that looks like something else, in our case it will be a clock tower with three sides with large clocks on it. I have seen many tree towers and we could of chosen one of those but the area we had wanted to lease was close to our driving range/clubhouse/#1 tee and thought it could serve dual purposes.
   
   In the negotiations you can pick and choose certain things such as space that you can lease, types of structure, as well as types of fencing around the tower and landscaping.
   
   The price can also be negotiated which is what we did, we started out at $2,500 and they countered at $1,000 per month we finally agreed at the $1,800 figure. While we have signed the contract with them, they still get to choose the build date. I do not know all of the details of the contract but I think it was a five year contract with slight increases after three years and a renewable lease after the five years is over at an increased price. They can have other companies piggy back their tower and I am not sure if we get any extra cash flow for it. The $1,800 per month is earmarked for the golf course and is much needed to be honest.

   
   
   
   
4. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   7/19/2013 11:07 AM

   We were approached to have a tower at the maintenance site. It would have been well hidden in a grove of eucalyptus trees with just the necessary parts above the trees. Phones and fees would be supplied to all managers and assistants. I never heard the monthly rent on the property as the "GM from Hell" turned them down. He said that the image of the club was way to high to move to that. Yeah just as exclusive clubs in LA have oil wells pumping on the course. One just down from the first tee. God help the superintendent that has that piece of work for a GM.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
5. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   7/21/2013 7:07 AM

   Corey Eastwood, CGCS said: We were approached to have a tower at the maintenance site. It would have been well hidden in a grove of eucalyptus trees with just the necessary parts above the trees. Phones and fees would be supplied to all managers and assistants. I never heard the monthly rent on the property as the "GM from Hell" turned them down. He said that the image of the club was way to high to move to that. Yeah just as exclusive clubs in LA have oil wells pumping on the course. One just down from the first tee. God help the superintendent that has that piece of work for a GM.

   
   Corey, sorry about your GM from Hell situation but we were told from the beginning that no cell phones or service could be included in the contract. That would of been a nice concession though. If I were dealing I would def. try to get it included. we are happy with the $1,800 per month lease I just wish they would hurry up and get started. That is supposed to go to my chemical budget.

   
   
   
   
6. Peter Grass

   

   0 posts
   
   7/23/2013 9:07 PM

   Dear Matthew,
   
   We were recently contacted by Verizon to see if we would entertain the idea of a tower on the course. We are still in the county, surrounded by city and right in between two colleges where they said the data demand is killing them. The only open space in that area, all developed homes surrounding. Recently met with their engineers, tower construction and building construction crews to lay out sight and details, survey was done after that. They want a 40' tower, we asked for the "artificial tree" look even though it will be amongst existing 30-60' treal trees. Ous plan is to start in Nov when the ground firms up. The "powers in the clubhouse" are negociating right now so not sure what our income/lease will be, $800-1000/mo is being tossed around, they have all expenses, we just provide the land. By the way, it is next to the maintenance facility where we have 3 phase power, and internet connections already available.
   
   A member who used to be in the tower business, came to our last board meeting and suggested that we could partner with him and put up a 60' tower and can rent space to 4-5 providers which would bring in $6000-8000/mo. We would pay design, construction, utilities, etc, but I believe we are going with the less $$ but no headaches route, we do not want to be in the cell tower business.
   
   Good Luck,
   
   Peter Grass, CGCS
   Hilands Golf Club
   Billings, MT

   
   
   
   
7. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   7/24/2013 7:07 AM

   Man......I wish my last name was Grass.