By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOWARD – The new clubhouse manager at the Village Green Golf Course has promised “big changes” with the course’s restaurant officially opening for the season Friday, April 13.
Nic Madsen, whose previous position was a bartender/cook at Legend Larry’s on University Avenue in Green Bay, has worked in the service industry for about 15 years.
He spoke Monday, April 9, before the Howard village board on his plans for running the village-owned restaurant, which had an operating loss of almost $40,000 last year.
“I understand what you guys have been going through the last few years – losing money, people trying to make it what it’s not,” Madsen said. “That’s how I see it. It’s a golf course. It’s not a big extravagant club, like some of them in the city, but we want to do good things.”
Madsen said he sees a “ton of potential” at the course’s restaurant.
“We’re going to have sandwiches $5-7, not your $15-20 meals that they’ve been doing,” he said. “Great drink specials – happy hour everyday – we want to make some money for you guys and for myself as well.”
Madsen noted he wants to operate the restaurant year-round with it being open seven days a week during the golf season and five days a week when the course is closed for the season.
Madsen said he wants to offer lunches and have a Friday fish fry.
He also noted he would also like to have chicken wings – a menu item offered at Legend Larry’s – with a wing night.
When asked by Trustee Cathy Hughes about having a cart on the course with food and beverages to make it easier to purchase those items, Madsen said he has been considering that possibility, such as with a golfer on the course sending a text message to the clubhouse and having an appetizer brought out.
“I’m only a couple weeks into this yet, but there’s plenty of ideas and I’d like to hear them,” Madsen said.