Board selects new management for Canyon West

The Weatherford College Board of Trustees approved a change in management of Canyon West Golf Course, handing the reins over to Elite Golf Management at its December meeting held on Thursday afternoon.

Athletic Director Jeff Lightfoot presented a committee’s work on the request-for-proposals project and its decision-making process. KemperSports, formerly known as Touchstone Golf, has managed the course since the 2023 donation from Richard and Nancy Stuart. 

“The first two years of this endeavor have been a great opportunity to learn and grow,” Lightfoot said. “I’m happy to report that as of last quarter, Canyon West is profitable, and the course is improving.”  

Lightfoot outlined the reasons why the committee felt Elite Golf Management is the best choice at this time: affordability, ability to maximize profits in the food and beverage area, managing other courses near Parker County, familiarity with the local economy, and their leadership.

Elite Golf Management is headquartered in Las Vegas, but its owner and CEO, Keith Flatt, is originally from Azle. The company currently manages several Texas courses, including The Cliffs at Possum Kingdom, Whitestone in Fort Worth, and Harbor Lakes in Granbury.

“I had not been out there for 15 years,” Flatt said about visiting the course. “When I turned off the freeway, just coming into Canyon West was unbelievable. It’s such a nice facility, and I knew I wanted to be part of it if it was possible.”

Lightfoot said the transition process to the new management company will include interviewing current employees first to see whether they can join the new team.

The board also approved adding a new associate degree. The WC Wise County campus will host the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.

This new degree, pending state and accrediting body approval, will be a pathway from WC’s successful dental assisting program, currently offered through Workforce Education.

Based on state data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 221,600 dental hygienist jobs nationwide and an average annual wage of $94,260. Data for WC’s five-county service area shows 1,759 jobs and a seven percent growth rate from 2024 to 2026.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the minutes from the Nov. 13 board meeting.
• Approved the financial reports ending Oct. 31.
• Approved the 2026-27 academic calendar.
• Approved an advanced skills certificate in human resources within the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Organizational Leadership.
• Received and approved the annual financial audit presented by Snow Garrett Williams. WC’s net position has increased by nearly $20 million year-to-year.
• Approved to split the college’s 146 votes for the Parker County Appraisal District directors evenly among candidates Richard Barret and Joe Wilkinson.
• Received written reports from WC Wise County, academics and student services.
• Listened to holiday music provided by the WC Jazz Orchestra and assisted by audio engineer students.

In his President’s Report, Farmer:

• Congratulated the volleyball team on its fourth-place finish at the national tournament.
• Congratulated Lori Boyd on being named faculty member of the year and Debbie Alexander for being named staff member of the year.
• Announced the WC women’s rodeo team won the championship title at the Vernon College Rodeo.
• Recognized WC board trustee Tom Vick on being named Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the annual Weatherford Chamber of Commerce banquet. Vick was also named a distinguished alumnus of Austin College last month.
• Recognized the board of trustees as part of board appreciation month.
• Reported that all board trustees are in compliance with mandatory training.