This is an email communications between Oro Valley resident Roy Varner and the town council. Roy has been asking the town to provide a better rate for "off-time' golf course use.---
"Ladies/Gentlemen:
Bottom Line First:
Troon management has repeatedly refused my offer of $2000. per year for a modified (restricted tee time) golf membership. (See e-mail sting following)
As an OV resident faced with higher taxes to make up for anticipated revenue shortfalls, I read with disappointment the news of the massive losses being experienced by the ElCon Golf Center.
Additionally, I am very disturbed that while you are cutting services at the facility, your operator, Troon is turning down new revenue by refusal to offer modified membership plans.
Note in the e-mail string below that Troon has refused my offer of $2000. per year for a modified membership (eg: late start after 11:00 am tee times).
There must surely be a secondary agenda associated with the ElCon facility if they are refusing this amount of revenue while the courses wallows in empty fairways due to lack of play.
Just Wondering -- Is the plan to let the facility fail and sell it off to the development community?"
Roy Varner
Oro Valley Resident
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In an earlier email to us, Roy explained the offer:
"• My wife and I were former members of the ElCon Golf Club but resigned our membership due to the poor course conditions and the excessive cost per round for our play just shortly before the Town acquisition of the club was announced. We were paying approximately $7,000 in membership fees per year from 2008 through 2014 for utilizing the golf facilities on an average of 2.5 times per month at an average cost of $116.00 per round with 97% of our play commencing after 10:00 am in the morning, an 75% after 11:30 in the morning.
• Since then we have been utilizing other area golf courses, at approximately the same frequency, and time of day, and have been averaging a cost of $31.20/round including cart fees.
• After seeing the mounting losses for the current ElCon operation we thought maybe they would welcome an offer of added revenue so I proposed sole sourcing all our golf play with them at a rate of $160.00 per month with the caveat that our play would be after 10:00 am and we would be able to utilize the members course when available. After a series of dialog with the Troon Membership Manager Nicole Niemann it became very clear that they were either prohibited from, or had no desire to improve their cash flow position as they have now refused to answer any of my communications."
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Troon's response to Roy's offer was cordial and offered golf based on their published schedule:
"Hello Mr. Varner,
Your email below comes as quite a surprise to me. During my previous emails and our telephone conversation I expressed my excitement for your interest and desire to engage in playing golf at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center – El Conquistador Golf & Tennis. Understanding your frequency of play along with your use of only the golf facility, you may recall during our conversation I shared several options (featured on GolfNow and Golf Rev) which align with your desired pricing. The options include green fees, cart and practice balls (during your day of play); some offers also include specials on food items in our restaurant. I believe these options fit very nicely with your request, pricing structure and give you the flexibility to make tee times anytime of the day. The membership rates established by the Town of Oro Valley for the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center – El Conquistador Golf & Tennis were created to provide equality to every member of this amazing community without discrimination or prejudice. Offering a family membership at a rate of $150 per month to you while asking others to pay the published membership pricing would create inequality unless this rate was offered to everyone. Equality means nothing unless incorporated into our organization, used to guide decisions and applied equally to all. Mr. Varner, I remain extremely interested in helping you with a solution that allows you to play golf on our beautiful courses. I truly hope you will take advantage of the promotions on Golf Now, Golf Rev or our daily rates and come join us to play golf. I also hope you will consider joining us for our free Concert Series. The first concert is Thursday, Oct. 15 beginning at 6:30pm. Please feel free to bring your lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the grass. As I mentioned in my email dated Sept. 15, 2015 I would enjoy having you play golf here and look forward to finding a solution that will work for you.
If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
I hope you enjoy a wonderful day.
Best regards,
Nicole Niemann | Membership Sales Manager"
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