CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha County parks director Jeff Hutchinson says he will meet with managers and staff at Big Bend Golf Course to make sure they're presenting a professional face to the public.

Earlier this month, a letter to Kanawha County officials complained about unprofessional behavior at the 18-hole public golf course near Tornado. The writer alleged that staff members at the golf course were reading Playboy magazines behind the counter, non-employees were using the golf course snack bar to prepare food, employees were eating and drinking beer while working and staff were allowing favored golfers to play for free.

The anonymous citizen also said there was a $2,000 shortage in cash from beer sales at Big Bend and that staff regularly use offensive language around women and children.

Hutchinson said some of the allegations turned out not to be true; for example, beer revenue is actually up $4,000 at Big Bend. That doesn't mean, however, that there was no merit to the complaint, he said.

"If a member of the taxpaying public has a problem, we're obligated to look into it," Hutchinson said.

While there was no truth the allegation that money was missing from beer sales, "There's an inventory problem," Hutchinson said. He said he went to Big Bend after receiving the complaint letter and discovered that there were 300 more cans of beer at the golf course than there were supposed to be. He said employees have not been keeping proper track of beer sold and have been taking abandoned beer from the golf course and putting it back in the cooler.

Hutchinson said four full-time employees, six part-time grounds crewmembers, half a dozen pro shop and snack bar employees and about 20 volunteers routinely work at the golf course.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha County parks director Jeff Hutchinson says he will meet with managers and staff at Big Bend Golf Course to make sure they're presenting a professional face to the public.

Earlier this month, a letter to Kanawha County officials complained about unprofessional behavior at the 18-hole public golf course near Tornado. The writer alleged that staff members at the golf course were reading Playboy magazines behind the counter, non-employees were using the golf course snack bar to prepare food, employees were eating and drinking beer while working and staff were allowing favored golfers to play for free.

The anonymous citizen also said there was a $2,000 shortage in cash from beer sales at Big Bend and that staff regularly use offensive language around women and children.

Hutchinson said some of the allegations turned out not to be true; for example, beer revenue is actually up $4,000 at Big Bend. That doesn't mean, however, that there was no merit to the complaint, he said.

"If a member of the taxpaying public has a problem, we're obligated to look into it," Hutchinson said.

While there was no truth the allegation that money was missing from beer sales, "There's an inventory problem," Hutchinson said. He said he went to Big Bend after receiving the complaint letter and discovered that there were 300 more cans of beer at the golf course than there were supposed to be. He said employees have not been keeping proper track of beer sold and have been taking abandoned beer from the golf course and putting it back in the cooler.

Hutchinson said four full-time employees, six part-time grounds crewmembers, half a dozen pro shop and snack bar employees and about 20 volunteers routinely work at the golf course.

He said he confirmed that employees sometimes use the snack bar kitchen to heat up their lunches, and sometimes eat and drink while behind the counter. He has ordered signs put up to keep unauthorized people out of the area.

Hutchinson said he couldn't prove that no one has ever gotten into Big Bend to play for free, but doesn't think it's a regular occurrence at the golf course.

He said he personally found Playboy magazines at the golf course about two months ago. He threw them away and told staff members it was unprofessional to have the magazines around.

Hutchinson said golfers are known for colorful language, but said he will remind staff members to watch their words while around the public.

He said many of the complaints in the anonymous letter aren't serious problems, but look bad to the public. He said he tries to visit Big Bend personally two or three times a month, but has been busy lately with projects at Coonskin Park.

Hutchinson said he will meet with managers and staff members at Big Bend to talk about professional behavior at the golf course. "They've gotten a little sloppy," he conceded. "Sometimes, when people get a little sloppy, they need a good kick in the butt."

Temporarily, Hutchinson plans to operate his office out of Big Bend two or three days a week to keep an eye on the golf course.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.