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Fullerton City Council
Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY SUBMITTED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER PREPARED BY: EDGAR ROSALES, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
RACHEL CASTANON, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH FULLERTON GOLF LLC FOR FULLERTON GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
SUMMARY
The City solicited Requests for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide Fullerton Golf Course professional management services. Staff recommends awarding a Management Agreement to Fullerton Golf LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CourseCo, Inc., a firm with extensive experience in public golf course management.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer the Management Agreement with Fullerton Golf LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CourseCo, Inc. for Fullerton Golf Course management, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer related documents and change orders, including renewal term options, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Continue to negotiate with CourseCo, Inc. for a new agreement Negotiate with another responsive bidder
Issue another RFP and restart the process
Provide alternate direction to staff
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Infrastructure and City Assets
Fiscal and Organizational Stability
FISCAL IMPACT
The management fee in the proposed Management Agreement with CourseCo, Inc. (CourseCo) would total $95,000 for the first year, with annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years for the initial five year-term. The agreement fixes management fees until the City fully repays the RZED bond, in which the management fee will shift to an incentive-based fee. The FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget included Golf Course management services within the Brea Dam Fund (Fund 42).
The new Management Agreement with CourseCo should reduce annual costs by approximately $300,000, resulting in an increase in net income to the Brea Dam Fund (Fund 42). The funds will remain restricted for use within the Brea Dam recreational area pursuant to the existing land lease with the Army Corps of Engineers. The increase in net income and anticipated revenue increases in future years would allow continued reinvestment in Brea Dam area recreational facilities and support future improvements at the Fullerton Golf Course, Fullerton Tennis Center and Fullerton Sports Complex.
DISCUSSION
The current management company has managed the Fullerton Golf Course, an 18-hole municipal course located in the Brea Dam area, since 2011. In alignment with the expiration of the current contract, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a qualified management partner to provide high-quality service to patrons, ensure efficient operations and maximize financial sustainability for the facility.
The City released the RFP on July 8, 2025 on the City’s e-Procurement platform OpenGov, with proposals due on August 8, 2025. The City received four proposals from experienced golf course management firms and invited four firms to participate in interviews on September 4, 2025. One firm withdrew from the solicitation and the City interviews the three remaining firms: American Golf Corporation, Western Golf Properties and CourseCo, Inc.
A Rating Panel consisting of staff across all departments evaluated proposals using the following criteria:
Qualifications of the Firm – Technical experience in managing similar facilities and overall organizational stability.
Project Management Approach – Experience and qualifications of proposed key personnel, and adequacy of staffing resources.
Work Plan – Understanding City objectives, clarity and quality of the operational plan.
Fee / Cost Proposal – Reasonableness and cost-effectiveness of the management fee structure.
Sustainability, Innovation, and Community Engagement – Approach to enhancing environmental sustainability, introducing innovative practices and engaging Fullerton residents and the broader community.
The rating panel selected CourseCo, Inc. as the top firm. CourseCo demonstrated a strong track record in managing municipal golf courses throughout the west coast, including Altadena, Eaton Canyon, Green River, Riverside and Santa Barbara golf courses. They presented a comprehensive work plan tailored to the City’s needs and offered a cost proposal that will significantly reduce management expenses while maintaining service quality. In addition, their approach emphasizes community engagement, facility improvement planning and long-term financial stability.
As part of the City’s lease with the Army Corps of Engineers, revenue generated from the property is restricted for funding recreational activities in the Brea Dam area. Historically, the City reinvested these funds into improvements across the Brea Dam area, including the Fullerton Golf Course, Fullerton Sports Complex, Fullerton Tennis Center and the trails running through the Brea Dam.
The management fee proposed by CourseCo will be $95,000 for the first year, with annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years. The proposed agreement is expected to increase net income by a significant amount by reducing management fee costs and increasing revenue, allowing for continued reinvestment in Brea Dam area recreational facilities.
The City would execute the Management Agreement with Fullerton Golf LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CourseCo, Inc. in accordance with CourseCo’s standard business practice. Fullerton Golf LLC was established for the sole purpose of managing the Fullerton Golf Course and is legally distinct from the parent company, though fully controlled and backed by CourseCo. This corporate structure provides the City with a dedicated contracting entity while ensuring that the expertise, financial resources and organizational capacity of CourseCo remain available to support the successful operation of the facility.
The proposed Management Agreement will have a five-year initial term with two optional five-year extensions, providing long-term stability and continuity. The agreement initially fixes the management fee until the City fully repays the RZED bond. The management fee will transition to an incentive-based fee, consistent with the fee structure proposed in CourseCo’s RFP submission, once the City pays off the bond.
Staff recommends awarding the agreement to CourseCo, Inc., ensuring continued high-quality operations at the Fullerton Golf Course, while generating cost savings for reinvestment in Brea Dam area facilities. Staff anticipates this investment in facilities, including the Golf Course, will yield additional Brea Dam Fund revenues.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft of Management Agreement
Attachment 2 – Bid Summary Sheet
Attachment 3 – Request for Proposals
cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Fullerton Golf Course Management Agreement
October 7, 2025 - Page 2