CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
March 4, 2025 {{section.number}}b
CONSIDERATION OF TURF REDUCTION OPTIONS AT CORONADO GOLF COURSE RECOMMENDATION:
Consider turf reduction options in alignment with Golf Course Irrigation Redesign and Replacement and provide direction for additional analysis.
BACKGROUND:
The Coronado Golf Course irrigation system faces several critical challenges due to its age and design limitations. Installed in 1957, the system has far exceeded its expected life span, with most components of the system experiencing wear and inefficiency. The typical life span of many parts of the system is 15-25 years. The system lacks essential components such as mainline isolation valves, making maintenance difficult and costly, especially in the case of a mainline break, which requires a complete shutdown of the irrigation system. The current system is also inefficient, necessitating substantial labor for hand watering areas not adequately covered by the existing irrigation infrastructure.
Currently, the golf course has approximately 115 acres of turf that require irrigation. To address the problems with the existing irrigation system, the City proposes a comprehensive irrigation system redesign and replacement, estimated at $9 million. This new system is expected to reduce water consumption by approximately 20% through more efficient distribution, improved watering coverage for healthier turf growth, reduced maintenance requirements and manual labor costs.
In addition, the reduction in water use supports the City’s sustainability efforts.
A key element for the irrigation design is consideration of reducing the amount of turf that requires irrigation. A current concept includes converting about 23 acres of "out of play" turf areas, portions of the golf course that are rarely impacted by normal golf shots and are not part of the intended playing corridor, to a sandy landscape, featuring a coastal plant palette. The objective of this conversion is to improve water efficiency while maintaining the current level of difficulty and pace of play for golfers. Additionally, these areas will be designed to be cart-accessible, and balls should be easy to locate due to the sparse planting.
ANALYSIS:
Turf reduction aims to balance several key factors:
• Water Conservation: With the proposed irrigation system upgrade, it is anticipated that water consumption will decrease by 20%. With the addition of the turf reduction in out-ofplay areas, it is anticipated water savings of an additional 20% can be achieved. This reduction aligns with the philosophy of water conservation identified in the City’s Climate Action Plan and demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing California's ongoing water scarcity challenges.
• Aesthetic and Playability Considerations: The design concept draws inspiration from exclusive private courses such as Monterey Peninsula, Cypress Point, Seminole, and Pine Valley, creating waste bunker-style areas that enhance visual appeal. The natural coastal dunes landscape would create aesthetic contrast with maintained turf areas, similar to the existing edge condition of hole #17, while preserving current levels of difficulty and pace of play. In specialized areas along the slopes of Glorietta Boulevard (holes #5 and #6), drought-tolerant native ground cover will stabilize slopes and prevent erosion. The concept ensures that the design will not interfere with, but enhance, the overall playability and experience of the course. The hard packed sand will be playable and easy to find errant shots due to the sparse planting.
• Maintenance Efficiency: The turf reduction will also result in cost savings related to maintenance. Fewer acres of turf will reduce the labor-intensive requirement of hand watering, mowing, and fertilizing, and the redesign of the irrigation system will allow for better water distribution across the course.
• Cost Savings: Reducing the overall irrigated turf area would realize savings in design and equipment for the new irrigation system, as well as the reduction of water and maintenance. While there would be costs incurred for turf removal, minor earthwork (cut and fill to create “movement” like dunes) to provide character, and installing a “sand cap” and landscape plantings, the overall savings should far outweigh the costs in less than 10 years.
The turf reduction concept shows what could be considered, but ultimately, the actual turf reduction design would be finalized through work with the irrigation design contractor. The concept calls for a moderate change, reducing about 23 acres, or 20%, of existing turf; however, City Council could direct staff to assess if further opportunities exist to reduce turf beyond the current concept to maximize water savings, or to reduce the percentage of turf reduction in the design process, or both.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact, as the feedback requested will guide the development of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design-build firms to bid on the irrigation project.
Cost estimates for the design and construction of the irrigation system replacement, including any turf reduction options, will be determined by the project scope directed by City Council at a future date.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council may direct staff to proceed with including the scope of the proposed turf reduction concept in the irrigation system design process, or provide additional direction to staff, including expanding or restricting the percentage of turf reduction.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
This activity is not considered a project as defined by CEQA and is therefore exempt from environmental review. Environmental review will occur prior to final approval and the execution of a construction contract.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Coronado Golf Course Turf Reduction Landscape Concept Submitted By: Recreation and Golf Services Department / Tim Farmer