Sept. 4, 2012

An ad hoc citizens’ golf committee established by the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board will be holding a series of public meetings over the next several weeks to discuss options for the city’s golf program in light of the ongoing deficit of its golf courses.

As an “enterprise” operation, the city’s golf courses were set up to fully fund their operations and maintenance from greens fee revenue, pro shop sales and other golf-related revenue sources. But a national decline in golf participation; an overly saturated golf course market resulting from an explosion of new courses in Maricopa County over the past 20 years; and the economic downturn have combined to drastically drive down rounds played at all courses, including those run by Phoenix.

The ad-hoc committee is led by members of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board and Citizens Golf Advisory Council and includes members of various Phoenix Men’s and Ladies Golf Associations, representatives from the neighborhoods that surround city golf courses, and local community golf leaders. It will be holding a series of public meetings to discuss the best options for Phoenix Golf going forward considering the recent conclusions of a study conducted by the City’s Budget and Research Department.

In the study, staff examined measures previously implemented to improve operational and fiscal performance of Phoenix Golf, a projection of future golf participation, and options available to address the ongoing deficit.  The study examined the financial implications of several options for dealing with the operating deficit including outsourcing maintenance operations, closing select courses, and closing select courses then converting them to limited-use parks.

Comprehensive information on the Phoenix golf courses and the ad hoc committee process can be viewed online at phoenix.gov/golf. Residents unable to attend a public meeting still can submit comments and opinions electronically with a comment form on the golf website or by phone at 602-262-7985.

The committee will report its findings to the Parks and Recreation Board, which eventually will forward a recommendation to the Phoenix City Council for formal consideration and action. All ad hoc committee meetings begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a set presentation of financial and operational information on Phoenix golf courses and the local golf market, after which visitors will be able to ask questions and submit comments.

• Sept. 18, Washington Activity Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way
• Sept. 25, Maryvale Community Center, 4420 N. 51st Ave.
• Oct. 3, John Jacobs Elementary School, 14421 N. 23rd Ave.
• Oct. 9, Cesar Chavez Library, 3635 W. Baseline Rd.
• Oct. 17, Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St.
  
  

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