Joe Iafigliola, CFO of Down To Earth and DTE Golf, talks about the boutique golf maintenance firm’s partnership with Highland Park Golf Course over the last three years.
The historic 36-hole municipal golf course opened in the late 1920s and is owned by the city of Cleveland, which awarded the management of the course to the Highland Park Golf Foundation March 6, now tasked with leading the revitalization, operations and management of the course. The foundation selected Troon and its company Indigo Sports to oversee golf operations and food and beverage operations at the course.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb gathered June 19 with business leaders at Highland Park Golf Course in Highland Hills for a dedication ceremony and ceremonial tee off. “This is what today is all about, making sure you find the next Charlie Sifford, the next Tiger Woods, right on the streets of Cleveland,” Bibb said. “And our children deserve the same kind of country club experience in our city as well too right here on Cleveland’s east side.”
Several leaders from the foundation including Darrell McNair, David Wagner, Bob Flesher and Peter Anagnostos spoke, along with partners like Blaine Griffin, Cleveland city council president, Nick Bednar, vice president of operations at Troon, Joe Iafigliola, CFO of Down To Earth and DTE Golf, and Pat Lo Presti, executive director at First Tee – Cleveland. Sifford’s son, Charlie Sifford, Jr., and Ted Ginn Sr., coach of Glenville High School’s football and track teams, also shared remarks.
The Highland Park Golf Foundation.is comprised of local business and community leaders, frequent Highland Park golfers and others, is leading the revitalization, operations, and management of Highland Park Golf Course for the city of Cleveland. The foundation’s mission is to promote and protect an accessible, diverse, affordable and engaging experience at Highland Park Golf Course to positively impact the local Cleveland community.