Recreation Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2018 07 23

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Future of municipal golf in many cities uncertain I Golf Advisor Page 5 of 27 city agreed to fund a two-year management contract to a private company, according to the Detroit Free Press (https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/04/02/detroit-golf- courses/470061002/). In the Southwest, the four city courses of Albuquerque, N.M., landed a stay of execution when the city agreed earlier this month to cover the budget shortfall for the year, according to the New Mexico Golf News (https://newmexicogolfnews.com/closing-albuquerque-city-golf-courses-eyed/). One cost -saving scenario being considered calls for closing one or both of the nine -hole Puerto Del Sol Golf Course (https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/22553-puerto-del-sol-golf-course/) and the 18-hole Los Altos Golf Course (https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/22540-Ios-altos-golf-course-los-altos-course/) with the land being re -purposed. Talk of closing one or more of the municipal courses in Tucson, Ariz., dates back to 2012. Silverbell Municipal Golf Course (http://silverbellgolfclub.org/html/tucson_golf.html) has taken a proactive stance in the fight to preserve its future. The course's website hosts a page (http://silverbellgolfclub.org/html/tucson_golf.html) listing news stories on the topic, the dates and locations of city workshops discussing the future of the courses and key city officials to contact. One unique idea to save the historic Randolph Golf Course (https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15776- dell-urich-at-randolph-golf-course/) is to transform its 36 holes into a tournament -caliber 18-hole routing to lure the PGA Tour back to Tucson by 2021. The Tucson Conquistadores, a non-profit youth sports organization, are behind the plan, according to the Arizona Daily Star (http://tucson.com/news/local/plan-sell-part-of-randolph-golf-course-to-help-lure/article_a977cb58- aca4-5eae-8d0c-2e3dcedc20ab.html). Maybe the inspiration came from the Jackson Park plan in Chicago, where Tiger Woods hopes to turn 27 holes of muni golf along the shores of Lake Michigan (https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/jackson-park-updates-17694.htm) into a venue worthy of major tournaments. Other cities - such as Seattle (http://westseattleblog.com/2018/02/video-seattles-golf-courses-are-no- longer-moneymakers-city-says-so-heres-whats-being-done-about-that/) and Chula Vista, Calif., outside San Diego (http://www.cbs8.com/story/37407777/local-golf-courses-prime-properties-for-housing- redevelopment) - are researching their options and recently hired consultants to study the finances of their courses. Even facilities reportedly breaking even financially are in danger because the urban land is so valuable. Lions Municipal Golf Course (https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/2750-lions-municipal-golf-course/) in Austin, Texas, is another property in a prime location caught in a heated battle for redevelopment. In this case, the land was deeded to the University of Texas, and the city has a 100-year lease set to expire in 2019. The university has expressed interest in developing the course, whose land has been estimated to be valued in the nine figures. UT alum Ben Crenshaw is leading the charge at SaveMuny.com (http://www.savemuny.com/) in hopes to save the historical green space for future generations. The International Links Melreese Country Club (https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/91-melreese- golf-course-at-international-links/), Miami's only city course, is being floated as a potential site for a new soccer stadium, according to the Miami Herald (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article203678634.html). Several LPGA Tour players, such as Christie Kerr, learned the game at Melreese and oppose the plan. https://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/municipal-golf-crossroads-17751.htm 6/29/2018