The Watchdog Report: Troon Is Out. Billy Casper Is In.

According to Tucson Local Media, the Town of Oro Valley is finalizing an agreement with Billy Casper Golf  to operate the Oro Valley Golf courses…but will it make a difference?

Troon wasn’t entirely to blame
We know that Troon inflated their forecasts, especially in the first couple of years after we purchased the property. To be fair, however, Troon was working to please the then Town Manager, Greg Caton and the Hiremath regime. Troon also catered to the members and the “green shirts,” but was it Troon’s fault that their responsibilities as the “contracted operator” cost the Town millions?

I don’t think you can place all the blame on Troon as I doubt there is any company that can turn our 45 holes of golf into a profit, or even an acceptable loss. Unloading the 9-hole Pusch Ridge course is a start. Billy Casper will now only be responsible for a 36-hole operation. However, Billy Casper will not be subsidized with Town monies for food and beverage.

Mayor Winfield and the Council chose the 36-hole option
This is with the caveat that we pay-as-we-go and do not bond for any improvements. This is admirable but might be unattainable. Their decision prompted a failed recall attempt by the “Green Shirts.” The “Oro Valley Thrives” people believe that without borrowing money for golf course/community center improvements, the Town will go deeper in debt.

Closing the Overlook will save us about $100,000 and making people pay for the driving range will supplement the CCF about $90,000-$100,000.

Capital Improvements
The Town Manager only forecasted $106,500 for capital improvements for the Community Center Fund (CCF) during FY 2019/20. The last I heard (from former Town Manager Greg Caton and current Town Engineer, Paul Keesler) was that an elevator to make the facility ADA compliant would cost around $400,000 . (This includes the cost of the elevator, installation, and architectural modifications that need to be accomplished).

Canada Hills HOA and the Town are working on an agreement
The Canada Hills Community Association (CHCA), the HOA that surrounds the Conquistador course, is working on an agreement to give the Town $100,000/yr. However if the Town closes the 18-hole Canada Course due to financial strain, it remains to be seen if the CHCA contract will remain, or if they will contribute the money only if the Town continues to operate all 36 holes.

Golf memberships and non-member rounds
Golf membership has been as high as 262. As of April 30, 2020, it is at 260. However, that’s still an improvement over April 2019 when golf membership was 236.

Comparison Of Rounds

However, it is the number of non-member rounds that are the real money maker. Members pay the same whether they play 1 round or 100 rounds. That’s why it’s the outside play that counts.

In FY 2018/19, the number of non-member rounds through April 30th was 29,234. In FY 2019/20, the number of non-member rounds through April 30th is 28,182. That’s 1,052 LESS than the previous year. Keep in mind that the Town’s numbers are for 45 holes of available golf.

The chart at left shows a comparison of the Town’s non-member golf rounds over the past 7 months compared to a public course within 5 miles that has only 18 holes of golf available.

Is Billy Casper going to make a difference? 
Maybe, but it appears that it will only happen if we allow them to manage 18 holes of golf instead of 36. Mr. Mayor, Madam Town Manager, and Oro Valley Thrives: 36 holes is continuing to kill us. How can you continue to justify this?
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Mike Zinkin has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge. He was a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. He and his wife moved to Oro Valley in 1998. Mike served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009 and the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012. He served on the Town Council from 2012-2016 during which time he was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities University, he was a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development, and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee.