Friend of Pusch Ridge Golf Respond to Bohen’s Allegation That “Pusch Ridge Golf Round Numbers” Are A fraud

Bohen: I believe that [reported rounds played] is a fraud
During last week’s discussion of the use of the Pusch View Course for disc golf, Council Member Tim Bohen questioned the town provided “rounds of golf played” numbers relating to Pusch Ridge Golf. He wants the data to prove the numbers: “I’ve heard it anecdotally, but I want the point of sale data” to substantiate it.

Towards the end of last week’s council discussion on the use of the Pusch Ridge Golf Course, Bohen dropped the following challenge to those who support the course: "I don’t believe your numbers of 16,000 rounds. There is a way to prove me wrong. Show me the point of sale data. We can’t see it. I believe that [the rounds of play data] is a fraud. Prove me wrong.”

We asked Bohen why he chose to make this comment and to whom he was making it. He did not reply as of the date of this posting

Clearly miffed, Tony D’Angelo, President of Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, emailed council with his response to Bohen’s comments. We are reprinting them here in their entirety. The highlighting is our to help our readers.

Homeowners respond to Bohen’s allegation of fraud: “They are the town’s numbers” 

Mayor Winfield and members of the Town Council,

As President of Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf I feel I must respond to Councilman Tim Bohen’s wild allegation that somehow Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf has participated in a fraudulent misrepresentation of the performance of golf on Pusch Ridge.

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf was formed to encourage golf play on the course, assist the Town and Indigo Golf in marketing golf play and to create a welcoming and fun experience for Oro Valley residents and visitors who choose to play golf. Our mission is also to work with the Town on finding ways to make the golf course more environmentally sustainable.

We do not run the course nor do we create any of the performance metrics of the course. We use the performance reports provided by the Town’s golf contractor, Indigo Golf Partners, to evaluate the impact of our efforts. We do not receive Indigo’s financial reports for Pusch Ridge until after they have been distributed to the Town Council. If Councilman Bohen doesn’t believe the numbers presented, it would seem that he is in a better position to verify them than we are.

Based upon what we are given, the first two years of Pusch Ridge Golf Course operations has required no tax subsidies – in both years, the course revenues have exceeded course operating expenses.

Councilman Bohen asserts that Indigo’s performance numbers are overstated. He provided no evidence. Nor did he offer any reason why Indigo Golf Partners would choose to overstate performance. They have no contractual incentives to do so. Overstating golf rounds would impact revenues per round and profitability. Overstating revenues would certainly be caught by the Town’s Finance Department and outside auditors. Indigo Golf Partners is part of Troon Golf which is a major golf operator with a stellar reputation. Why would they risk that?

During this past golf season, given the potential days of operations and hours of play available, the course had the potential to sell approximately 32,000 rounds of golf. The first year, available rounds were approximately 30,000 rounds. This would require four golfers to start play every 15 minutes from opening until close, regardless of weather. That’s a tall order for any golf course operation to fill every tee time, every day. During the time the Town operated Pusch Ridge Golf and prior to the reopening and support of Friends of Pusch Ridge, the course averaged around 4,000 rounds. The first year of operations in 2021-2022 the town established a budget of 6,675 rounds. It ended the year at 15,248 rounds. This season over 16,000 rounds. Performance represents over 50% of available rounds played. That is considered very good. During the second season the average rounds played per day was 86. Again, quite strong given the weather challenges we had. It is also important to understand that this is a “fast, fun and affordable” 9-hole golf course – it is positioned to serve players out to have fun, not to those who play every day, rain or shine.

Councilman Bohen says “he has been out there” and does not believe the course averages over 80 rounds a day. I did see him one day sitting in a chair Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf bought for the course. I was out there almost every day, talked to the pro shop team, reviewed the tee sheet and talked to golfers. I also checked the Golf Links booking engine via the GolfNow app multiple times a day to monitor how many tee times were available. Yes, there would be no shows and cancelations but I remain convinced the numbers reported were accurate. Of course, there was more play on some days vs. others. There was also a need for balance to keep it a fun experience. The Indigo Golf Pros made the decision to not overload the course with players given the skill levels of the target audience. It is more important to have players have a good time and return than to pack the course. We did not make up the numbers. I absolutely believe the 86 rounds per day was real.

It is also important to note that our commitment to the Town was to create an experience that welcomed all levels of golfers. We especially encouraged families to introduce children to golf. After 2:00 PM daily, kids 15 and under played free with a paying adult. Families took advantage of this and the numbers of “comps” reflected the kids free play. This impacted the revenue per rounds some but we still believe the overall financial performance was a success plus remember this is a municipal facility and not intended to be a profit center.

Councilman Bohen also asserted the best revenue weekends were during the Disc Golf Tournaments. It is important to point out that these tournaments would not have come to the course had it not been restored to a quality, green golf course. This is why ESPN broadcasted one event – the beauty of the course and the views make for great TV. These tournaments were required to buy out all tee times to provide for exclusive use, of course the revenues were strong. Again, without it being a golf course, the attraction would not have been there. By the way, we have supported scheduled and managed disc golf tournaments during the golf season from the beginning if they provide the Town extra income, support tourism and do not harm golf operations.

Councilman Bohen scoffed at the notion that the Town would introduce golf and disc golf on the course at the same time. That is exactly what Parks and Recreation first proposed nearly a year ago when they first met with us regarding disc golf. We had only had one year of operations under our belt and we feared this concept could only hurt what we were trying to create in terms of a golf experience. That is why we asked the Town Council to clearly keep golf and disc golf separate.

Councilman Bohen asserts that golf in Oro Valley cost the Town over $4,000,000 to operate this year. I believe he is trying to conflate the number by including the approved investment for the new irrigation systems on the 36-holes. By his logic, we would have to say Naranja Park cost over $17,000,000 to “operate” this year. Capital investments are separate from operating expenses. Golf operations – revenues from user fees and product sales minus the costs to generate those revenues will show a positive number. No other town recreational asset is performing this well and Councilman Bohen should know that.

Currently the Town is “testing” public play disc golf on the course for the summer at the same time the Town chooses to let the course go dormant – only maintaining the golf greens to keep them alive. The course is brown, with many patches of raw dirt exposed. It is not a pretty sight and it is unfair to the residents who live there. Not surprisingly, the course is averaging only about ten rounds of disc golfers a day paying $10 a round. I doubt anyone would pay the premiums to host a tournament under these conditions.

For some reason, Councilman Bohen does not like Pusch Ridge Golf or the Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf. He says he is now a disc golf player. We don’t believe the distraction of public play disc golf will help us with the sustainability of the golf course. He is entitled to his opinion and his recreational preferences.

He is not entitled to disparage us for trying to provide the Town’s residents with an amenity that is well received. We believe quality of life matters in Oro Valley. We don’t expect others to pay for the benefit of a few. That is why we have worked so hard to broaden the appeal of the golf course in the community and residents and visitors have responded. We know we have a water challenge and we want to work with the Town to mitigate it. We know the first step was proving there was sufficient demand to justify the effort. We believe we have done that and we appreciate the response from the community.

It seems very unfair to be accused of misrepresenting reality with no evidence. Shame on an elected town councilman for treating hardworking residents this way and thank you Oro Valley residents and businesses for supporting our efforts.

Finally, I want to thank Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett, and council members Greene, Jones-Ivy, Nicholson, and Solomon for being open to our concerns and approving the motion that asserts the Town Council’s authority to define how the Pusch Ridge Golf Course is used and when it is used.

Respectfully,

Tony D’Angelo
Resident and President of Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf

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Guest View- Susan Ross: Grandpa Golf is Dead

It’s a Double Bogey
The game of golf has seen its heyday. The United States has averaged a closing of 137 golf courses every year since 2011 reports the golf-industry researcher, Pellucid. (The Washington Post, Why American Fell out of Love with Golf, March 5, 2015).

Among those that closed in 2016 are courses that were designed by some of the luminaries in that field. The Falls outside of Houston, Texas was considered one of Jay Riviere’s finest designs, but in an overbuilt market, fewer and fewer golfers were willing to play the course. Windemere Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida, was designed by Ward Northrup. The greens and bunkers were recently renovated, but the club was down to just 80 members when it was closed. Plans call for the 155 acres to become lots for 95 single family homes. (Golf Advisor, 12 Golf Courses that Shuttered in 2016 We’ll Miss the Most, December 22, 2016).

Elk Ridge Golf Club in Atlanta, Michigan, was regarded as one of the top 20 public courses in Michigan. It is considered the best work of Michigan-based architect Jerry Matthews, who designed more courses in the state than anyone. Its fate is to become a private hunting preserve. Black Bear Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was a design of Tom Jackson’s. Even after the club had undergone significant renovations, it too has closed. (Golf Advisor, December 2016).

Tallgrass Golf Course in Shoreham, New York, was designed by one of the hottest architects on the planet, Gil Hanse. Its 127 acres are due to become the home of 125,000 solar panels. (Golf Advisor, December 2016). On and on the stories go.

Golf retailers saw the writing on the wall
The giant Nike has bailed out of producing golf equipment. Nike has a huge marketing research department that does nothing but take the pulse of the sporting world. About every number coming out regarding the state of the sport is a negative with millennials—as in, young people, as in, the future of the game. Golf’s high cost to entry and association with an older group has resulted in young people’s sending it to the scrap heap. The decline is a reflection of an overall drop in interest in golf, particularly among the younger generations. The National Golf Foundation has stated that 200,000 players ages 35 and younger abandoned the game over the past year.

“The people sticking with the sport are playing fewer rounds than before, often opting for nine holes rather than 18. In total, U.S. golfers played 462 million rounds of golf last year. That was the fewest number since 1995. Golf has been a crummy business for a long time,” states Paul Swinand, an analyst at Morningstar, Inc. in Chicago. (Forbes, How a Declining Middle Class is Killing Golf, May 23, 2014)

Taylor-Made-Adidas Golf, the world’s largest producer of golf clubs and clothes, saw sales nosedive 28 percent last year. “A decline in the number of active players caused immense problems in the entire industry, and this hit us particularly hard,” stated Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer. The sporting goods giant has listed its slow-selling golf gear at deep discounts and postponed new launches. Hainer warned of even more “significant negative headwinds” for the game. The number of young people, age 18 to 30, playing the game has sagged nearly 35 percent in the last decade. (The Washington Post, Why America Fell Out of Love with Golf, March 5, 2015)

In 2006, Dick’s Sporting Goods bet big on golf, buying the specialty retailer Golf Galaxy for more than $200 million. Since then they have repeatedly acknowledged their bogey by shuttering stores and ending their experiment of staffing a PGA professional in the golf sections of more than 500 stores by firing all of them. “Golf from a participation standpoint, and how it translates to retail, is in a structural decline. And we don’t see that changing,” Dick’s chief executive Edward W. Stack stated. (The Washington Post, March 5, 2015)

School’s Out
Boys’ high school golf team participation peaked at 167,781 in 1998-99 and has been in steady decline since. At the collegiate level, over 27 schools have eliminated their golf program since 1995. In 2011, Arizona State University eliminated their PGA Golf Management Program.   (The Arizona Republic, ASU Ends Golf Management Program, May 3, 2011).

Golf-aerobics?
If you are labeling golf as an exercise, then you are only fooling yourself. Crawling into and out of a golf cart is not exercise. If you truly want an aerobic exercise, then you are going to have to get your heart rate up and do some serious body movement. Golf is time-consuming and not aerobic. Golf takes anywhere from three to five hours. Thirty minutes to an hour of aerobic exercise and you are time and money ahead. Not to mention the fact that your heart will love it.

The Pied Piper of Oro Valley
We have a mayor of Oro Valley who is the Pied Piper of Hamelin with six children who blindly follow him around (and we all know what happened to those children). As the citizens of Oro Valley, we are now subsidizing several golf courses that are operating so in the red that it could be called crimson.

We in Sun City continue to subsidize our own golf course, and now we are subsidizing the town’s boondoggles as well, and the ships are sinking. What is next for this group of rescuers: A bowling alley? A roller skating rink?

If I did not learn another thing in my two degrees in history, it is that things change. Lifestyles alter with the times. It is called progress. The horse and buggy gave way to the automobile. No more need for blacksmiths. No more need for buggy makers. Typewriter? Hello computers and printers.

Pull the plug
Grandpa Golf is terminal. You have him on a ventilator and hooked up to a feeding tube. An expensive physical therapist has been hired to turn him over every now and then. But then you have other people footing the bill for all of this. Nonetheless, Grandpa Golf is pleading for mercy to just let him die a natural death, but you are not listening. You cannot revive what is dead. Grandpa Golf is dead. May he rest in peace.

Susan Ross is a former college professor who has lived in Oro Valley for three years. She has a Master’s degree in History. She enjoys swimming. An avid reader, she reads dozens of non-fiction books per year.

Disc Golf at Pusch Ridge Course Challenged by Homeowner Assocations

Town Staff not authorized to allow Disc Golf at Pusch Ridge Course

Several weeks ago we reported that the town was offering Disc Golf at the Pusch Ridge Course for the next four months.  We thought nothing of this. However, according to the homeowner associations that financially support the town’s golf courses, Disc Golf is not an approved use of the course and is causing problems for residents. 

Pusch Ridge Course is a single use facility

Speaking at last weeks Oro Valley Town Council meeting, Ray Dissinger, President of the El Conquistador Homeowners Association, and resident Chuck Crowley, speaking for Tony D’Angelo, President of the Group Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, noted that the Pusch Ridge Course designation in the 2020 Parks and Recreation master plan is “conservation area/trail park”. They noted that the Pusch Ridge Golf Course is designated in the plan as a single use facility. Further, they note, Disc Golf was not a planned use of the Pusch Ridge Course because it is not golf.

An “inside job” that was 18 months in the works

It appears that town staff moved forward with Disc Golf at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course on their own. They did not seek nor did they get the approval of those homeowner association who financially support it. Nor did they seek or get the approval of the town council.

Staff has been meeting with the group Tucson Disc Golf Club for the past year and a half to make Disc Golf a reality (see panel right). In their Facebook posting, the Tucson Disc Golf Club thanks members of their club for making his happen. According to D’Angelo, one of these people is a manager in the town’s Parks and Recreation Department,. D’Angelo wonders if the town Town Council is aware of the special relationship between the Tucson Disc Golf Club and this town staff member.

No advance discussion of Disc Golf with stakeholders

D’Angelo does not understand why the Parks and Department did not hold at least one meeting between residents and the Tucson Disc Golf Club , sponsor of Disc Golf, to discuss potential problems before starting the operation. He wonders why the town did not introduce their negotiating partners to the residents living adjacent to this facility. 

Is this really a four month test or is their more to it?

Given the fact that the Tucson Disc Golf Club has been working on this for a year and a half and has funded the equipment installation, it is surprising that the Parks and Recreation department has said that Disc Golf is a test for the next four months. D’Angelo wonders why a third party would invest this much for a simple test.  Is it the town’s expectation to operate both real and Disc Golf at the same time in the fall or is the true intention to replace golf with Disc Golf on a permanent basis? 

Disc Golf is already causing problems for homeowners

According to D’Angelo, Disc Golf is already causing problems.  Last week, a home was hit and damaged by several discs in just the first two days of Disc Golf operation. “Most alarming is that [the homeowner] had to stop two young men from climbing a tree to reach his elevated patio so they could retrieve a disc. This is not the only incident of Disc Golf players entering resident fenced patios to retrieve discs unannounced or uninvited.” 

Meanwhile town staff fails to focus on what is important for building a sustainable Pusch Ridge Golf Courxe

While all this has been happening, D’Angelo asserts that town staff  has spent very little time exploring how to make this golf course environmentally sustainable via turf reduction, improved water efficiency or bringing reclaimed water to the facility as staff was directed when the council approved a February 17, 2021 motion to reopen the golf course. There was no direction in that motion to look at alternative uses of the course.

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Golf Everyone? We Hope So

We've been reading a late the sport of golf in general is declining in popularity.  We've also heard that, several Oro Valley golf courses are experiencing difficult financial times. One is up for sale. Another will likely be acquired by its main debt holder.

A decline in the popularity of this sport has combined with challenging economic times.

Could this have significant impact on Oro Valley?

Apparently, Golf Is Not For Everyone

Oro Valley has 6 golf courses. All of these courses are 18-hole courses. There are a total of 40,414 yards of fairway.    All of these courses have homes built around them.  Our guess is there's probably 1,200 such  homes.   There's probably five times that many that are dependent on the golf course.   There are probably 6,000 properties that are directly impacted by a golf course.

So, if something happens to a golf course, such that it can no longer operate as a golf course, it's not only a problem for the owner of the golf course but also a problem for those live around it.

Private member clubs are finding it hard to survive.  More are being sold to or managed by private companies. So, the sale of Oro Valley's Stone Canyon Club, a top 100 club, to golf star Phil Mickelson's company,  Mickelson/Loy group, is no surprise.

Without doubt, Tiger Woods brought a level of excitement to the sport of golf that engendered an entire new wave of players.  But, for the past five years, Woods as been a non player.

The result of all this is that "... country clubs are lowering prices for membership and for nonmember rounds of golf." (Source)

There are in fact those who predict golf will continue to decline in popularity.  "It won't go away, but it will likely tread water over the next couple of decades."

Add to this the concept that research shows that Millennial's (those born between 1980 and 2000) are simply not as interested in sport of golf as previous generations.  "The participation rates of people aged 18 to 34 fell roughly 13% in 2013 from 2009, while their rates for other active sports like running rose 29%, according to SFIA data."

"For the fifth year, overall participation in golf fell in 2014 as measured by the number of U.S. individuals who reported playing on a course at least once, according to Sports & Fitness Industry Association data." (Source)

The reasons given for the decline is that the sport of golf takes a long time to play and that it costs a lot of money.   It is generally not a family sport.  So, in a town that thinks its getting younger, as Council Member Mary Snider has asserted, the sport of golf does not seem to be an attraction for younger families.

Golf Courses Are Money Losers

The decline in popularity has resulted in a decline of profitability for golf courses.    "Average net profit margins for privately owned golf courses and country clubs have been negative for several years." (Source)  These courses have a net profit margin of  -10%.  For example, in 2013, one public course in Ohio (Grantwood) cost $1.1 million to run but it only takes an review of $1 million.

All public of courses require subsidy by the taxpayers. Municipal golf courses are facing the same difficulties as private golf courses.

"The cost to maintain a municipal golf course is rising, and as many cities and parks departments feel the strain of tighter budgets, everyday expenses represent enough of a burden, let alone the improvements needed to be competitive. "Municipalities are having to make decisions," says Jeff Bollig, senior director of marketing and communications at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, who estimates that 2011 saw a net loss of 107 golf courses in the United States. "Do we operate this course at a loss and understand that it is a service we provide, do we break even, or do we try to make money that returns to the general fund?" (Source)

Add to all of this the fact that there are golf courses galore in Pima County so Oro Valley's golf courses do have competition.

You might ask: Why should I care?  

You should care because if an Oro Valley golf course goes dark it will substantially change that neighborhood.  Those lush greens; the cooling effect, the beauty will be lost.   One can imagine the outrage the public would feel if this were ever to happen.

Imagine, too, operating a golf course at a time when the sport is in decline and when it is projected by experts to continue to be in decline for many years.    How does one make money in a declining business? How does one even keep that business going?

Today, Oro Valley is very dependent on the success of the golf industry.

What do you think?
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Editorial ~ Notes from the “Gaslight” Workshop: Part 1.

On May 4th, the Town held a Q&A Session/Workshop at the Gaslight Theater to receive input from residents living along the golf courses as to what they believe should be the future of the Community Center golf courses.

The Consultants
The meeting was facilitated by consultants from the Golf/Food/Beverage industry, hired by the Town to address the golf course and restaurant facilities. The Consultant team consists of Richard Singer of the National Golf Foundation (which has a consulting arm), Forrest Richardson & Associates (Golf Course Architects from Phoenix) and The WLB Group, (a local engineering and land development firm).

The presentation was handled by the National Golf Foundation consultant as the lead, with the Golf Course Architect group also presenting. We did not hear from the WLB Group representative. The Consultants introduced themselves, and told us about their backgrounds. One of them has 27 years experience in the golf industry and lives in Florida. They stated that they obtained this assignment by answering an RFP (Request For Proposal) put out by the Town.

The National Golf Foundation’s consulting arm works with a number of municipalities in assisting them to evaluate their golf courses and operations.

The Presentation
The meeting began with an approximate 30-minute presentation from the consultant team, followed by an approximately 90-minute Question and Answer session with the audience. The only Town officials recognized at the meeting were Councilmember Bill Rodman and Assistant Town Manager, Chris Cornelison.

First Speaker: Richard Singer of National Golf Foundation
The Consultants and the Golf Course Architects will do a thorough review of the golf courses and restaurant with the goal of assisting the Town to “Maximize their Assets.” They understand that the value and condition of the Town’s golf courses will affect the property values of surrounding properties as well as the value of the courses themselves.

He stated that they have seen a trend in municipalities acquiring private facilities and turning them into municipal facilities. Very few are sold for development. Privately owned golf courses, however, have been redeveloped as housing and/or commercial developments, usually with much community opposition.

They are aware of the history of how the Town acquired the golf courses and all the controversy surrounding it, although it appeared that they were not aware of the details of the contract. They were planning to meet with the hotel owner on Friday to ask questions and make suggestions for marketing the courses.

He stressed that they want to move forward and evaluate where the Town should go from here. Their task is to make recommendations for the continuing operation of the restaurant and all 45 holes of golf.  Ideally, the Town would like to keep all the holes open, but the consultants are looking at all options, including a possible reduction in holes, reconfiguring some courses, etc. His job is to review the golf facility and see how it fits into the Oro Valley community.  They will not be addressing any other Community Center activities.

Singer has done a lot of Economic Impact Studies on golf over the past 25 years. He stated that if you have one bad year, it takes five years to catch up. He stressed that a failing golf course does not help anyone and that it’s a tough business right now. It has a high fixed cost and is at the mercy of many things that you cannot control.

Second Speaker: Forrest Richardson, Golf Course Architect
They met with Community Center Golf Members earlier in the day. The following day they are meeting with owners of the Hilton Hotel. Although they will be evaluating everything, the Town has told them that their first priority is to keep all the holes open. His role is to crunch numbers on the facility.

They will be evaluating the efficiency of the course and of the irrigation system. The two 18-hole golf courses are now on effluent water, however, this is now almost as costly as ground or potable water. Newer golf courses are being built with “Smart” irrigation systems which can precisely pinpoint and target irrigation at each hole. Our courses do not have such a system. Installing one could save 25% on watering costs, but the installation is costly and Oro Valley doesn’t have the money to do this.

As part of their work, they are obtaining the history of the golf course development, going back to the 1970s and 1980s. They have spoken with one of the original golf course architects, and also with the engineer who worked on the initial irrigation system. The architect told them that the housing developments around the courses actually drove the layout and design of the courses.

The Pusch Ridge 9-hole course is problematic from a golf perspective. It costs almost as much to operate as an 18-hole but does not bring in the same revenue stream. It is also a hilly course and not particularly easy to play.

Part 2. Question and Answer session with the audience will be published on Thursday.

Guest View: Love Contributor ~ When saving face takes precedence over a solvent golf strategy

Today's article compares Oro Valley's financial golf strategy to USGA recommendations.

In an effort to offset the decrease in Municipal Golf participation throughout the country, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has determined two major causes for this decline and they are promoting solutions to save this sport.

(1) Time Constraints
The major factor is simply TIME. With today's busy family dynamics, young children have many sports to chose from, families have multiple daily activities, working hours have increased, single parenting creates transportation issues, and seniors must balance cost and energy against available time. A four or five hour activity becomes extremely difficult for almost every age group.

USGA Solution: Encourage 9-hole golf
As such, the USGA began a nationwide promotion of PLAY NINE. In addition to national advertising, local and state chapters are asking all Municipal Courses to encourage their golfers to play only nine holes. This, along with encouraging "Play Forward,” has increased the number of rounds played significantly in the past few years. In addition, 9-hole golf creates more rounds played with an increase in revenue and opens the potential golfer base significantly.

(2) Local Government is inept at managing golf
The second factor is that Municipal Golf, (when local government owns the golf course property), involves local government being involved with management. Since many such bodies do not have the skills nor staff to operate a golf business, they often hire specialized golf management companies to actively run the business. (In the case of Oro Valley, Troon was hired to manage golf.) Where this concept falls apart, is when the Town Staff or Town Council continues to dictate policies to satisfy special interest groups, certain voting blocs, or campaign contributors, rather than allowing the management company to use their resources and talents to meet the needs of the local golfers and the financial goals of the Town.

USGA Solution: Performance-based Compensation
According to golf course data studies, municipal golf courses have now reached a low of some 1350 locations within the United States, (Arizona now has less than 25). The USGA recommends that management company compensation be based on performance, not on fixed fees which eliminate the incentive to balance revenue with expenses.

How does Oro Valley Municipal Golf relate to USGA recommendations?

The Town is not encouraging 9-hole golf. Both of the two existing 18-hole courses are based on an obsolete and inefficient design whereby a golfer must play the entire 18-hole course before returning to the clubhouse. This eliminates any 9-hole play, eliminates that additional revenue, and closes the door to the USGA Nine Hole promotions.

The Oro Valley Town Council continues to pour money into these antiquated courses, instead of modifying the course to satisfy the needs of the golfing community. As an aside, at a time when the Council will do anything to promote more (and smaller) housing units to increase the sales tax base, they turn their backs on the 9-hole golfers, some of whom will move into those homes. Is this good management?

The Town is not employing Performance-Based Compensation. We are all aware that the Town Council employs Troon to manage the golf and food service business and that Troon is a nationally recognized golf course authority. The Town Council pays Troon $12,000 per month, regardless of whether they create a profit or lose millions, as is the history.

What Would Troon Do?
Regarding outside management, considering the Troon reputation, experience and staff, does anyone doubt their ability to operate a golf course to at least break even financially?

• Would Troon maintain 45 holes of golf knowing that the past usage barely supports only an 18-hole course?

• Would Troon allow a monthly fee that provides unlimited golf that isn’t covering their costs?

• Would Troon not immediately modify the course design to double the potential golfing base and use the efficiency of a 9-hole course to increase revenue?

• Would Troon continue to provide a free driving range, knowing that this is the single most profitable revenue course in a municipal golf facility?

Is there any doubt that Troon could resolve these financial issues within a matter of months, if they were given the charter to make the changes necessary to make El Conquistador Golf a true Municipal Golf Course?

The problem lies with the current mayor and council
It should be apparent to all taxpayers that the mismanagement of Oro Valley Golf lies with the Town Council and the Town Staff, not Troon. For some unknown reason, our Council and Staff can not understand the concept of municipal golf. Nor do they consider who actually pays the price for their errors including single parents trying to make ends meet and seniors living on fixed incomes. Most of these people will never even see the golf course, let alone play golf.

The practice of using money forcibly taken from the public is unforgivable. Not one penny of our sales tax should ever be used to hide the losses of the golf courses, just to protect the lifestyle of those who can well-afford the cost.

How do we stop this madness?
The solution is obvious and that is to vote for people who will represent the needs of the entire community, not just the chosen few. Let us all keep this in mind when selecting a new mayor and council in August.

Town Council Requests Staff Report On Municipal Golf Operations

Council wants staff report on municipal golf operations 

Last week, the Oro Valley town Council voted unanimously that Town staff present a detailed report on municipal golf operations to include the financial results. The request is not in anyway to infer that operations are either good or bad. The council simply wants town staff to provide a single comprehensive source of information, accessible to the public. They didn’t specify a timeline for this report, but it is our opinion that it would be best issued together with the result to the recently commissioned external audit of municipal golf results.

The upcoming independent audit of municipal golf operating results is crucial

...because all reports on municipal golf operations have come from the municipal golf course operator, Indigo Golf, and are not considered the town’s accounting. It is our opinion that the Indigo reports are not prepared  in conformance with recognized accounting principles, so we anticipate changes in reported results to ensure such. In addition, Council member Bohen has raised valid concerns about reported revenues, prompting the audit to include a review of point-of-sale data for revenue verification. Agreement on the revenue number is critical for future decision making regarding the courses.

The decision for this report emerged through a somewhat indirect process 

Councilmember Solomon initiated the motion that would provide information to the homeowners association (HOA) that subsidize municipal golf operations. Vice Mayor Barrett stressed the importance of disseminating information to everyone, leading to unanimous agreement on that.

Council emotions "all over the place" regarding "Everything Municipal Golf"

The council members have different views regarding municipal golf's profitability and the need for continue HOA financial support. 

Council member Solomon questions why the Town is taking money from five HOAs to support municipal golf if municipal golf operations are profitable. The subsidy agreements is with five HOAs who provide $160,000 annually in financial support. Solomon points out that the Indigo Golf reported financial results show that municipal golf is now making a profit. He observes that the municipal golf is making a substantial profit when you include all of the revenues designated for g municipal golf, which includes sales tax revenue and the subsidy from the HOAs. 

Solomon also believes that things have changed.  One of the HOAs committed a subsidy at a time when the entire half-cent sales tax, approved by the 2015 council, was designated to support both municipal golf and the community center. Following that agreement, the Winfield council decided to redirect half of that sales tax revenue to the town’s other recreational activities. Consequently, Solomon contends that the town is indirectly using HOA funds to sustain non municipal golf recreational activities.

Despite this, Solomon never made a motion to cancel the HOA subsidies. Instead, he opted for the motion on reporting that council approved with minor modification.

Vice Mayor Barrett observed that the town has dedicated millions of dollars to municipal golf, factoring in the substantial operating losses experienced during Mayor Hiremath's administration and the significant costs associated with the replacement of the irrigation on the municipal golf courses. 

Council Member Bohen believes that the HOA contributions are trivial in comparison to these substantial expenditures and says that he would have voted against the subsidy had he been on council at the time of the agreement.  

Council Member Nicolson, on the other hand, thinks that it is reasonable for the HOAs to contribute to the municipal golf, stating, "It's worth the $50 a month... It's a reasonable amount." 

Mayor Winfield bleives that "...we are in a better place now that we are all collaborating. We've made substantial investments in these municipal golf courses."

Fuzzy numbers at heart of the issue

The town staff incorporated the panel (shown above right) into the council packet. The operational and budget figures are sourced from Indigo Golf, while the capital investment figures are supplied by the town staff. As previously noted, there is an ongoing debate regarding the appropriate methodology for calculating municipal golf profit. Questions have arisen as to whether it should encompass depreciation and amortization, rely on cash inflows and outflows, or be determined based on revenue earned versus expenses incurred. We anticipate that the forthcoming audit will shed light on these matters and more, bringing clarity to the situation.

Until then, further discussions about municipal golf's financial results are meaningless.

Summary of the 170-page National Golf Foundation Study of Community Center Golf and Restaurant Operations. Part 2.

This is the second part of a 2-part article. Part 1 was published yesterday.

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Summary Conclusion

“This facility is aging and has seen declines in activity and is now operating at a deficit, up to $2.1 million+. The loss on operations is a result of several influences…a recent recession, increasing competition, declining physical condition, and declining interest in golf.”

“The local golf market has changed dramatically in the last decade and as we look to the future of golf in Oro Valley, there is genuine concern that the full 45-hole allotment may not be a good match for the current state of golf demand. The cost to properly maintain a complement of 45 holes is large and growing. The National Golf Study (NGF) review in 2017 shows that the cost to maintain El Con Golf is much higher than any standard, mostly a result of high utilities expense that is caused, in part, by an antiquated irrigation system.”

“The current financial condition [of El Con Golf] is worse than most public sector golf operations in the U.S. where 67% of municipal golf course operations are able to cover on-site expenses.

“Given this and the change in demand, the NGF sees a 27-hole facility at El Con Golf and a modified par-3 golf course (possibly 12 holes) at Pusch Ridge as a much better option for Oro Valley to provide a more sustainable golf facility for the longer term going forward.”

Given the above noted findings, it is clear that the Town will not be able to continue the operation “as-is” and changes will be required.

The most important and actionable recommendations made by the National Golf Foundation are listed below, noted in priority order:

1. Improve the physical condition of El Con Golf, including clubhouse enhancements.
2. Take action to reduce the amount of irrigated turf on all golf courses.
3. Upgrade the irrigation system to include new controls and in-ground piping.
4. Reduce to 27 holes at El Con Golf, with three 9-hole courses of equal quality and appeal.
5. Lease out (or concession) the Food & Beverage operation to a third party.
6. Implement the plan to renovate Pusch Ridge into a “Dirty Dozen” concept.
7. Enhance marketing and implement new activities that appeal to less traditional golfer segments, especially female golfers.

Golfers within a 10 mile radius
In its 2009 publication, “The Future of Public Golf in America,” the National Golf Foundation hypothesized that the best predictor of a public golf course’s success was the number of golfers per 18 holes within a 10-mile radius, with 4,000 identified as the key number for projected financial stability. The NGF has estimated that there are only about 1,400 golfers per 18-hole course in the Oro Valley Community Center market, thus lowering chances for successful golf operations.

Site Negatives
The location of both facilities suggests to the public that the facilities may be private. The location within a large residential community conveys a private club operation. The Pusch Ridge course proximity to the Hilton Resort leads most to believe the course is only available for use by hotel guests.

The configuration of the property is wide and physically diverse, leading to challenges in managing the full 36-hole property. There are four separate parcels separated by major roadways and require golf cart crossings at several points. Thus it will always require a larger-than-standard operating staff.

It is expected that there will always be a higher-than-standard maintenance expense at El Con Golf and Pusch Ridge, even if the total irrigated acreage can be reduced.

Numerous changes to land ownership, development plans, and golf corridors contributed to the awkward routing of the courses. In several locations, the distance between holes is significant and it is often difficult for players to know where to go next. Further, this awkward routing mandates cart use and contributes to extra management and maintenance challenges.

Irrigation remains the greatest area of maintenance concern and has shown considerable decline since the original development. The aging system is a mismatch of controls, heads, and inefficient pipe sizes that have been patched together over the years…and is costing the Town considerably in terms of inefficient irrigation.

The conclusion of the team is that a major investment in irrigation replacement must be made regardless of how the courses are to be reconfigured.

Closure of all 36 holes of golf
Probable cost is approximately $3 million and includes removing managed turf areas, revegetation of desert varieties, reshaping to allow for natural surface drainage, applying a hydroseed mix of native desert seed and a bonding agent that will help prevent erosion and allow the seeds to germinate. Twenty percent of the cost ($600,000) would be for design and engineering.

Guest View-Diane Peters: "Golf Tourist" Revenue was Based on Speculation with No Supporting Data

Back in 2019, in order to not appear self-serving in their efforts to keep the town-owned golf courses open, residents living along the golf courses figured out that they needed to come up with an argument for why the golf courses were good for the entire town and not just good for their views and their property values.

The bed tax and sales tax argument
They argued that the golf courses benefited the entire town by attracting tourists who came here to play golf and that these “golf tourists” were contributing to the bed tax and sales tax. However, no one ever supplied any statistics on how much revenue these supposed golf tourists are bringing in or any proof that they bring in more in revenue than what it's costing us taxpayers to maintain these courses. As such, I asked the town manager if the town had any statistics to prove those claims. And it turns out, they did not.

My email to the Town Manager

“The argument of the golf crowd is that the golf courses bring in revenue in the form of bed tax from the hotels and sales taxes in our shops and restaurants. But where is the proof of how many people who stay at our hotels are playing golf on the El Con golf courses? Can the town show exactly how much bed tax and sales tax revenue we are receiving from people staying in our hotels who are here for the purpose of playing golf on the town-owned golf courses?”

The Town’s Response

“The Town cannot show exactly how much bed tax and sales tax revenue it is receiving from people staying in hotels within Town boundaries for the purpose of playing golf on Town-owned golf courses.”

As I suspected, the “tourist revenue” argument was purely conjecture and has no merit at all.

Opinions without factual evidence
One person who lives along the golf courses commented on social media that the golf courses were a “net add” to the town. But when I asked him to provide the “actual monetary statistics,” he could not. He responded only that: “They bring people [tourists] in. They are beautiful. The golf courses keep property values up.”

Well, one could argue that the desert landscape brings people [tourists] in, it’s beautiful, and it keeps property values up. But we’ve all seen how Oro Valley allows mass grading of the desert with no concern at all for its beauty or how it affects our property values.

Three reasons why I never believed the “golf tourist revenue” argument

1. When any of our friends or family have visited us in the past 18 years, not one of them inquired about golf courses in the area. They wanted to experience the desert and desert wildlife, red rock country, Wild West history, and Native American history. As such, they took day trips to Saguaro National Park, Tombstone, the White Stallion Ranch, San Xavier Mission, Tubac, and Nogales, Mexico. Others headed up to Sedona for a few days after leaving Oro Valley. Again, not one of them had any interest in playing golf.
2. When my husband and I moved here in 2003, we came for the desert and mountain views and the dry climate. Golf courses were not on our radar.
3. When planning a vacation that includes golf, why choose Oro Valley over Scottsdale when Scottsdale has a far greater selection of adjacent quality dining, boutique shopping, museums, and art galleries?

The “net add” just doesn’t add up. Their whole argument was based on hyperbole. Six years into this boondoggle, I still fail to see what’s in it for the rest of us.
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Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast. She’s been involved in OV politics and development issues since 2006, including organizing a citizens group in 2014 that spent 9 months negotiating a controversial 200-acre development project. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England. Her interests include reading, writing, nature photography, travel, art galleries, museums, and politics.

Guest View-Dick Leonard: Our Community Golf Course. Should It Be Public Or Private? Should It Be Taxpayer Subsidized? Part 1

The following is a recent letter sent to the Town Council by Oro Valley resident, Dick Leonard. The letter has been re-formatted with sub-headings added to fit the LOVE's posting format.
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The Municipal Golf Model vs. Oro Valley’s Golf Model
I have been a resident of Oro Valley for almost 20 years and until 2015, I was a member at El Conquistador Country Club. During the same period, I was on the staff of the Braemar Municipal Golf Complex in Edina, Minnesota. (Note: Braemar is regarded as one of the highest golf rounds played and successful golf operations in the state). As such, I value this golf club and the town of Oro Valley, and for that reason I feel compelled to write to the Council regarding the City's Request for Proposal (RFP #17003) regarding Consulting Services for Oro Valley El Conquistador Golf Course Operation.

The questions that need to be asked
I have read the RFP and believe it does not accurately define the purpose of the study. I believe the study could be better addressed by answering these two questions:

1.  How do we reconfigure the present golf property, for equal access and cost efficiency, which will offer the best municipal golf experience to all the residents of Oro Valley?
The RFP focuses on land use planning and analysis of food and beverage services. Within the land use planning, there are four options presented for consideration.

• Option 1: Maintain existing 45 holes of golf. 
• Option 2: Reduce the number of holes from 45 to 36.
• Option 3: Reduce the number of holes from 45 to 27.
• Option 4: Reduce the number of holes from 45 to 18.

In all options, the RFP asks for ideas as to how to enhance revenue while either maintaining or reducing the number of holes. However, in order to fully address any of these options, there is a question that needs to be addressed first, which the RFP fails to include.

2. Should the Golf Club be a Municipal or Private Operation?  
The current situation seems to be a combination of both.

How most municipal golf courses operate
The challenge and duty of Municipal Golf Management is to maximize usage and revenue sources, either as an "Enterprise" or as "Part" of another City Department, in order to function as "cost-neutral" to the municipality it serves. This is typical with Muny's throughout the country. If the course will be "Municipal" there are several factors that should be addressed. Some of these factors include:

1. Calculation of Inventory.

The total individual player tee times available during a specific time period. For example, one 18 hole course offering both 18 hole plus 9 hole rounds, will have approx. 260 individual tee times per day or 7800 available tee times per month.

2. Utilizing Revenue Sources that are commonly available for Municipal Golf Operations, such as:

• Daily Green Fee
• Cart rental
• Driving range balls
• Merchandise
• Food Service
• Instruction
• Events

Inventory, Pricing, and Course Configuration
Any of the four options presented in the RFP should take into consideration the issue of inventory, pricing, and course configuration. For example, there are currently 45 golf holes, which relate to an inventory of roughly 19,500 available tee times per month. If this is compared to the total average rounds played per month, (period July '16 to Dec. 16), which averaged 3054 rounds, the usage was only 16%. If the course size was reduced to 36 holes, as Option 2 suggests, the usage is still only 20%. And, if only one course of 18 holes is utilized, as in Option 4, the course usage would still be only 40%. This means the usage could more than double during high volume months, and still have tee times open.

The obvious conclusion is that a single 18 hole configuration is a logical financial solution, and that it be arranged such that 9 holes operate on the East course, and 9 holes on the West. As such, rounds can be started on each 9 hole course, which allows a full shotgun start, as well as allowing 9 hole play whenever space is open and also meets the preference of many daily fee golfers. This design is common to every municipal golf course in this area. In fact, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to find a 36 or 45 hole municipal golf facility anywhere in the United States.

Our present mode of operation
Considering the subject of a Common Pricing Policy, presently one course is used for "Daily Fee" golfers, while the other remains as essentially a country club operation with "Membership Play.” The memberships are further separated into several categories with separate monthly fees and cart pricing. All such membership categories include amenities normally associated with a country club, such as unlimited golf, unlimited driving range, unlimited fitness and pool, racquet sports, and include additional discounts on merchandise and food service. At year end, the membership was listed at 229, however, if the various categories are adjusted to match the cost basis of the Category 1 (Conqueror), the adjusted membership would be approximately only 162 memberships, which includes 321 individuals.

To review the actual golf revenues, note that daily fee rates do not include any amenities, (except cart rental and driving range), therefore all income, estimated at $50 per round, is strictly golf revenue. However, to accurately discuss the membership golf revenue, the amenity costs must be moved to the appropriate Community Center function. With this adjustment, each membership represents a golf revenue contribution of approximately $300 per month (for two people). If a cart fee of $100 per month is added, the total of $400 per month would relate to only 8 rounds per month at the comparable $50 daily fee rate. If this is expanded to a typical 30 rounds per month for two people, this equates to golf revenues of less than $15 per round.

The above discussions only serve to illustrate why unlimited play memberships are limited to country club operations, and seldom if ever, included in municipal golf pricing. Without significant subsidies from remote sources, this form of revenue source is not sustainable, as witnessed by the loss forecasts.

[NOTE: Since inception in 1963, Braemar is recognized as a premier municipal golf course, complete with 27 holes of regulation golf, plus two executive courses, a winter golf dome, 40 driving range boxes, putting and pitching greens, clubhouse with reception and grille areas, plus a teaching staff of five PGA certified instructors. Recognizing the trends in golf play, the City of Edina will spend over $10 million to shut down in 2016 for a two-year renovation project which will increase the driving range to 67 boxes, eliminate one exec course, expand the reception rooms, lease the grille to an outside vendor, and rebuild and reduce the regulation course to 18 holes with 7 tee boxes to match all handicap levels.]
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Part 2 will be published tomorrow.

Guest View: Dick Leonard ~ The utter mismanagement of the town-owned golf courses. Part 2.

(Part 1 was published yesterday)

When a Municipal Golf Manager was asked how he could make his course more profitable, he answered, “Simple. Increase the driving range and sell the golf course.” It’s no secret in the municipal golf business that the driving range is often the Number 1 revenue producer because of the constant income with minimum labor and land use. Yet, as the Oro Valley golf courses continue to bleed money, the Town provides unlimited range balls FOR FREE!

Questions to Consider
• What is the mission of a true municipal golf operation? A USGA chairperson defines this goal as, “To provide an affordable golf experience to all ages and playing levels; to learn and play the game of golf at fair and equal fees.”

• Why does the Town Council continue to expect all of the Taxpayers (most of whom do not even play golf) to fund a Country Club which benefits only a few of the Town residents and requires one complete 18-hole golf course with the immense cost of operation?

• How does this meet the goal of fair and equal treatment of the Public?

• Why does our Town Government continue to operate and pay the cost of such maintenance for 45 holes of golf when the overall usage barely supports the daily play usage of one 18-hole course?

• Why is the Town not subsidizing other Country Clubs within Oro Valley?

• And finally, why wasn't the Golf Course operated entirely as a Traditional Municipal Course from the day it was purchased? This would have saved millions of taxpayer dollars, thereby eliminating the need for an additional property tax to fund sports fields.

Solving the golf course problems
• Resize the golf course to match normal usage (18 holes total with two 9-hole loops)
• Charge golfers an average of $40.00 per round.*
• Eliminate unlimited play and amenities.
• Make the driving range a profit center.
• Lease the food service.

Most of the above advice was given to the Council by the golf consultants who have already helped turn around other ailing golf courses. Such corrections would no doubt increase revenue, decrease costs, and perhaps eliminate the need for continued sales tax subsidies.

*To insure an accurate and fair Daily Fee, only the cost of maintaining the golf property specifically required for the golf operations should be used in determining this fee. Any property not used specifically for the golf operation will become the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department and all costs associated with maintenance and/or re-purposing will be a budget item within Parks and Rec. If there are any issues regarding the funding of this department, this will be a completely separate discussion and not connected to the profitability or loss of the golf operations.

Mr. Leonard is a property owner in Oro Valley.  As a 20-year member of the El Con Country Club, he is well-versed on golf operations.  Additionally, he spends his summers in Minnesota where he is a staff member of the Braemar Golf complex in Edina, MN.  Braemar is one of the busiest self-sustaining municipal courses in the state.  Based on future golf predictions, Braemar is currently closed while they double the size of the driving range and downsize the courses from 27 to 18 holes.

Summary: Oro Valley Town Council Special Session – July 24, 2019 – Part 3. Arguments in support of closing the golf courses.

Losses are just shy of $9 million through May 2019
• I’ve read the 286 pages of letters submitted to the town by residents of the golf communities, primarily Canada Hills. Their unwavering opinion is that all 36 holes must be retained. In my observation, that’s not the opinion of thousands of other Oro Valley residents who find that unreasonable.

The Town’s original revenue projections indicated that the half-cent sales tax and the Community Center Fund would cover ALL expenses including capital improvements. Troon projected golf losses of $2M through FY 2017/18 with a slightly positive return starting in FY 2018/19. Instead, the losses are just shy of $9M through May 2019. Yet now we’re supposed to believe that golf will only require $1M in annual sales tax support if the Town retains 36 holes and if they spend almost $4M to replace the irrigation system and refurbish holes as part of the $6M bond package?

Two key points in the National Golf Foundation Study were quite clear:

(1) The financial condition of Oro Valley’s golf operation is considerably worse than most public sector golf operations in the U.S. where 67% of municipal golf course operations are able to cover their expenses.

(2) There are far fewer permanent households and resident golfers in the greater Tucson markets to support each 18 holes of golf in the area.

While I understand the concerns of those that paid premium prices for golf course views, there are many others in town who also paid higher premiums and lost their views due to the rampant development in town.

Golf is in decline, water is a precious resource, and real estate law does not guarantee property values
• I play golf but I cannot afford to live in a golf community. The Town of Oro Valley purchased the golf courses despite a large segment of the community voicing dissent. The face of our Town government has changed in large part due to that decision. The revenue and expense projections have proven to be faulty and continued support of the golf properties are a drain on the town budget with taxpayer money that would be better spent on services enjoyed by the entire community…Golf is in decline, water is a precious resource, and real estate law does not guarantee property values…There are many other golf options available. I use them. Those who want to play golf can use those options just like I do.

Troon's forecasts are not accurate and are not to be relied upon
• The purpose of a forecast is to as accurately as possible, project the future both in revenues and in costs so that when management makes a strategic decision, they have the best basis for doing so. In witnessing the Town’s forecast for the 36-hole option, I don't believe it does that. The town implies that the 36-hole option will cost only $11M in the future 10-year period. It understates the cost and misrepresents the losses that the town will incur.

In December 2014, the same forecasters, Troon and the town, said that we would lose $2M before turning golf profitable this year. Through May of this year, we have lost over $8.8M in golf and restaurant operations and are budgeted to lose more than $1.8M this year. That will be $10.5M in operating losses in 5 years.

The Town forecast conveniently picks a period of time 3 years in the future. This occurs after repairs costing us another $4M are completed and provides a best case hypothetical of what the 36 holes could look like if everything went right. And that hypothetical said that we will still lose $1M a year…I find that very unlikely.

The forecast conveniently ignores over $5M in losses for the next 3 years - the $1.8M this year and the several millions that we will lose while we’re restructuring the courses. The town says that since the irrigation repairs will be so disruptive, the losses can’t be estimated. Troon’s wage and benefit inflation increased $100,000 over the past year. A first look by the Budget & Finance Commission showed that the 36-hole option might cost $30M over the same period.

The Town’s projection indicates that the 36-hole option is probably the best, and in my opinion, it’s the worst. For the council to decide on what makes the best decision, the financial basis of that must be based on accurate forecasts, and the town and Troon have shown in the past that their forecasts are not accurate and are not to be relied on.

I know that decision-making can be difficult, especially for complex and controversial issues like this. For 6 years before I retired, I was the Director of Planning for the largest park and recreation district in (it sounded like he said Oregon)… It was generally recognized that almost all facilities and programs required some level of subsidy. So it’s not surprising to me that golf courses would have to be subsidized for the long-term.

The question is, how much subsidy should they receive from the town relative to other recreational facilities and programs that the town provides? It seems to me that subsidies should be highest for facilities and activities that are used by the greatest number of town residents such as parks, ball fields, and multi-use paths.

A Flash-Vote survey by the town earlier this year showed that multi-use paths were the recreational facilities most used by the town residents. Although I’m not a golfer, I’m not against subsidies for a golf operation, I just don’t think that golf should be subsidized to the detriment of other parks and recreation facilities and programs.

Of the options under consideration, I think retaining an 18-hole public golf course with conversion of the other 18 holes to well-manicured park space and pathways would be your best choice unless other parties, such as the HOAs, are also willing to participate in subsidizing a 36-hole operation.

Listen to Anna Clark’s speech below. A partial transcript appears below the video.

One percent of the population is utilizing 75% of the Parks and Rec Budget
• Golf alone consumes about 75% of the Parks and Recreation budget. What about the rest of us who don’t golf? I have 4 sons who play field sports. Oro Valley desperately needs more soccer and baseball fields to accommodate the many other families with children who play sports….At Naranja Park, because of the lack of field space for kids, soccer players of all ages are forced to practice on the same field at the same time. This is a recipe for disaster…What about the kids who want to play basketball? The Town only has one basketball court.

All of us are paying an extra half-cent tax on everything we buy in Oro Valley, but what is our money getting us? Why are we subsidizing an under-used Town golf course for less than 1% of Oro Valley residents? We need to reduce the number of golf holes to match the demand for golf and make it pay its own way. Imagine what Parks and Rec could offer our residents if it was no longer shackled with millions of dollars in golf losses.

Part 4 will be published on Monday and will include closing comments from Mayor Winfield and Vice-Mayor Barrett.

Summary: Oro Valley Town Council Special Session – July 24, 2019 – Part 2. Arguments in support of retaining the golf courses.

Public Comment for Retaining the Golf Courses
Below are highlights from the speeches given by residents during the 4-hour long Town Council Special Session on Golf Options. For those who prefer to watch the video, a link is provided at the end of this article.

Some audience members were very disrespectful
Despite Mayor Winfield asking the audience to be respectful and civil (including no applause and no jeering), the audience members who supported keeping 36 holes of golf refused to comply. Councilmember Rodman also applauded after two teenagers spoke in favor of keeping the courses. There were other times when there was disrespectful laughter or grumblings in the audience when residents spoke in support of closing the courses.

There were others who used their 3 minutes to attack the mayor rather than simply stating their position on the golf courses and presenting facts to substantiate their claims.

Arguments for retaining all 36 holes
Highlights from some of the speeches are below. The common theme in the speeches (and in multiple letters submitted to the Town) was fear of a decline in home values for the homes with golf course views, loss of their social life, and threats of litigation against the Town. Our editor’s responses are in purple.

• I paid $30,000 extra for a home with a golf course view. The house next door paid $35,000. The house next door to that paid $40,000 extra. That’s what you’ll find for the 550 homes that are along the 36 holes of golf.

(Many people paid premiums for custom homes on large lots with sprawling desert and mountain views only to have that land later rezoned down to 7000 square foot lots with 2-story tract homes during the Hiremath years. They also complained about the loss of their views and reduction in property values and they were ignored.)

• Grass is environmentally advantageous. It removes pollutants including dust, dirt, CO2, and returns oxygen. Grass also lowers the air temperature.

(When other Oro Valley residents have objected to mass graded developments adjacent to their homes and the resultant loss of desert vegetation that cleans the air and lowers the air temperature, their pleas were ignored and the mass graded developments were approved.  Why should clean air be a consideration for those living along the golf courses but not for anyone else?)

• Hundreds of non-golfers use the courses every day after golfing hours for walking and playing sports.

(People can still use it for walking if it’s turned into walking trails and they can still play sports if it’s turned into a park.)

• We chose our home in Oro Valley to be less and ¼ mile away from two golf courses, a bunch of tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a recreation center. We have 3 grown children who live in Seattle and need a place to come and play golf and tennis in Jan-Feb-Mar-April.

(Your grown children can still come here to play golf. There are plenty of other golf courses in the area).

• Repurposing will increase allergies with the different types of plants that would grow there. I’ve had two dogs with Valley Fever since we moved here. You’re going to start stirring up the ground and more Valley Fever is going to happen to the people and their pets.

(Yes, some people have allergies to desert plants…but some people have allergies to grass! We agree about Valley Fever, but again, thousands of Oro Valley residents have been subjected to “stirring up the ground” around their homes in order to accommodate new residential developments plus the road widening of La Canada and La Cholla. Why should Valley Fever be a consideration for people living along the golf courses but not for anyone else?)

• Two teenagers discussed “all that my sister and I have accomplished in the golf world.” They discussed golf tournaments in which they won or placed second. Closing the golf courses will take away our training facility and decrease property values. What will become of our backyard? Living on the golf course is the number one reason why our parents purchased a home here.

• One woman talked about elderly residents and residents with medical problems who like to sit on their patios and watch the golfers and wave to them. “He would sorely miss not watching the golfers.”

(There are thousands of residents – including elderly and those with medical problems - who sorely miss their desert views, their tranquility, and all the wildlife that once frequented their neighborhoods.)

• The decision is tainted because “the newly elected council primarily ran on an issue platform of one single item, and that was closing the golf course.”

(That is false. They ran on multiple issues, including wanting to take a breather on the over-development of the town, advocating for playgrounds which was the Number 1 request of citizens in the 2014 Parks and Rec Survey, and putting an end to the uncivil treatment of the citizens by the former mayor.  The decisions of former Mayor Hiremath and his Majority-4 council regarding golf were tainted because they didn't want to admit that they had made a mistake in purchasing the golf courses.)

The next speaker was very rude to the mayor and did not follow the “instructions to speakers” which state that you “must speak in a courteous and respectful manner to those present.” You can watch her 3-minute speech in the video below.


(Responding to Ms. Davies comments: The Hiremath council won the 2015 recall election by the skin of their teeth with just 51% of the vote vs. the Winfield council winning the 2018 election with almost a 60/40 split. If you have a bias for green grass, perhaps you shouldn’t live in the desert. Many of us moved here because we wanted to live in a town with sweeping desert and mountain views. Our views have changed dramatically over the past 10 years with the desert scraped and the mountain views blocked by multi-story buildings. Natural settings should have a higher priority than man-made views.

She accused the mayor of speaking out of both sides of his mouth (which we’ve never personally observed). This is a laughable accusation when you consider that one of the arguments for keeping the golf courses is that they’re worried about a drop in the Town’s finances from a possible loss of revenue, while on the other hand, they have threatened to sue the town if the golf courses are closed. We call that, “speaking out of both sides of your mouth.”)

• It’s critical to our happiness to find a way to connect with people. For us, that avenue was golf and the community center. Our days are filled with activities at El Con Golf and Tennis. We were willing to pay more for our home because of it’s unique location. All of our friends are golfers because golf provided the vehicle to meet people.

(Taxpayers are now being asked to subsidize other people’s property values AND their social lives. Can we all get in on this taxpayer subsidy?)

• I bought a home here with plans to retire on the golf course. I don't go to the library, but yet I still support it. I don’t swim at the aquatic center, but I still support it. I don’t have children in school, but I still support the schools.

(There is a big difference between tax dollars being utilized for a public library, public schools, or public parks and the aquatic center vs. tax dollars being utilized to maintain property values for a select group of individuals in town.)

• We should look at who can provide additional funds, the HOA’s and individuals who live on the golf course should help to subsidize the golf courses and I would be happy to help subsidize it so that my property value and the home that I just renovated will continue to hold value.

• When I purchased my home two years ago, I had no idea this was even on the table or we would have made a different choice.

(The seller should have disclosed that information. This is a problem between her and the seller, not her and the town).

• If you’re going to change this from a golf course, you’re going to have to rezone the property. It’s zoned for golf not open space. If you want to create a park, you’re going to have to go through a General Plan Amendment and a bunch of other stuff.

(According to the Town’s Power Point presentation in 2014, besides a golf course and clubhouse, the current entitlements along the golf courses also allow for residential - commercial offices - public offices – retail - religious institutions – restaurants - recreational facilities - social center buildings – hotel - equestrian facilities. Current permitted appurtenant uses include small retail shops - cocktail lounges with live music - day nursery satellite receiving station - equestrian exhibition arena.

Would they prefer one of the above entitlements over returning to natural desert, open space, and walking trails?)

• ARS 12-1134 clearly states that if the action of a municipality diminishes our property values, we get to ask you to pay for it. The PAD has, by definition, legal standing. It defines the golf courses to our advantage. You take that away, someone has to pay for it, and it shouldn't be us.

You can read the statute HERE

(Our take on the statute: It discusses citizen recourse when, “the existing rights to use, divide, sell or possess private real property are reduced.” A change in the status or use of public property that abuts private property does not in any way affect the right of the private property owner to do whatever is currently permitted on their property.)

You can watch the entire Special Session HERE  Public comments begin at the 38:00 mark on the video.

Part 3, public comments for closing the golf courses, will be published on Friday.

Guest View-Tony D'Angelo: A "360" View of The Success of the Pusch Ridge Municipal Golf Course

Council to take pivotal look at Pusch Ridge Course tomorrow night

Tomorrow night, the Oro Valley Town Council will decide the future of the Pusch Ridge Golf Course. Based on the direction received when the Town Council voted to reopen the course three years ago, Town Staff will present an analysis of the facility. The analysis will include a review of the facility's financial performance, a water use efficiency assessment, and a projection of the capital investment requirements to maintain the facility as a beneficial recreational asset for the Town.

Saving this course has been a community effort

Friend of Pusch Ridge Golf ( ) has tirelessly partnered with the town and the community to transform this 'hidden gem' within the Arizona golfing community into a thriving success. Tomorrow's discussion will showcase those results.

That has built this community asset

Today, Pusch Ridge Golf is a true community asset:

• Use has grown substantially
  Play prior to closing averaged under 4000 rounds per season. Over the last three years it has quadrupled play and is on pace to generate over 17,000 rounds this season. Prior to reopening in 2020, the golf course operated at a loss of around $200,000 per year. Since reopening it actually makes a small profit!
• 
  The course is a town economic engine
  Pusch Ridge Golf has become an important economic engine for the Town and a “fast, fun and affordable” recreational asset for its residents and tourists. Approximately 30% of the rounds played are generated by the four leagues FOPRG manage. Through our marketing efforts, sixteen area hotels send guests to play Pusch Ridge Golf. Thirteen area apartment complexes feature Pusch Ridge Golf to new and existing residents.
• A wide range of player diversity
  The diversity and increasing number of players on the golf course is impressive. Young, older, visitors, families all play. The Southern Arizona Junior PGA now uses Pusch Ridge Golf for its championship qualifying rounds. The reviews of the golf course have dramatically improved under Indigo Golf Partners management. 98% of players would recommend the course to others
• The course is a "Quick 9" for tourists
  Tourism offers a great opportunity for Oro Valley to grow without requiring unbridled new development. The Town’s recreational assets, including its golf courses are ways to bring in needed tax revenues.
• Benefits local business
  Through the marketing efforts of FOPRG, local businesses are also seeing a benefit. Four local restaurants are now part of our “all-day happy hour” promotion and they tell us they see golfers in their establishments almost every day. This contributes vital tax revenues to our Town.

Pusch Ridge Golf adds value to the town's recreational portfolio

While it is good to see the Town’s golf operations all performing without significant tax support, it is important to understand that no other Town recreational asset is expected to make money. All Town Parks and Recreation facilities should be judged based upon their qualitative and indirect contributions to the Town. Do they serve the residents and do they support economic activity into the Town? Pusch Ridge Golf does.

There is more that can be done

We are not done working to further enhance the value of this unique facility.  For example, it is unfortunate that Pusch Ridge Golf was not included in the reclaimed water distribution system when most of the other Oro Valley golf courses transitioned off of potable water. FOPRG had no way to change this reality so it focused on generating play to at least improve water use efficiency. When looking at water use per round played, Pusch Ridge Golf has enjoyed an 80% improvement in efficiency. We believe there are still opportunities to mitigate total water use through various agronomy technologies available.  

We look forward to the continued support of our town leaders

Oro Valley is a great town to “work, live and play.” It has natural beauty and climate plus an enviable array of recreational assets. They all deserve to be maintained and protected. We are hopeful that the Town Council will support our efforts to keep Pusch Ridge Golf Course open.

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Tony D'Angelo is the President of the group, Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf.  The group was created to provide marketing, play and volunteer support for the facility in hopes of proving the viability of the facility. During these past three years the group has worked closely with Town Staff, Indigo Golf Partners management and the community to promote and enhance the golf course and user experience.