City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Kye Stevens, Recreation Director
Date: 04/14/2026
Subject: Ripon Golf Club Capital Expenditures
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the Sierra Golf Management (SGM) request to fund various improvements at the Ripon Golf Club in the amount of $83,245.93 (funding source: Golf Course Capital Improvement Account Fund).
BACKGROUND
On January 1, 2025, SGM assumed operations of the Jack Tone Golf Course, now known as the Ripon Golf Club. Under the terms of the Lease Agreement, SGM is responsible for operating the course, including performing required maintenance and capital replacement necessary to maintain a high-quality, publicly owned executive golf course.
A Golf Course Capital Improvement Fund was established during the prior lease. A portion of the operators lease payment is deposited into this fund to assist in funding golf course improvements.
The SGM Lease Agreement allows SGM to request the use of these funds from the Golf Course Capital Improvement Fund for two categories of improvements:
Long Term Capital Improvements: The operator may request reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of improvements of a permanent nature, including the construction of new holes, replacement of improvement of greens, fairways, tee boxes, water features, buildings, structures, or other capital improvement expenditures approved by the City.
This does not include routine maintenance, equipment, or supplies.
Emergency Repairs: The operator may request reimbursement of up to 100% of the cost for repairs and restoration of the golf course in the event of a flooding or other “Acts of God” or resolving ADA claims.
All requests made by the operator are reviewed by the Golf Course Committee, which provides a recommendation to the City Council.
DISCUSSION
On March 16, 2026, the Golf Course Committee met with SGM at the golf course. The golf course manager gave a tour of the facility and described the proposed improvements being requested, including:
1. Maintenance Shed Building - $64,208.23
Construction of a new Maintenance Shed Building with concrete pad for equipment storage.
2. Trees for the left side of the driving range - $2,915.50 Installation of trees along the eastern edge of the driving range to help reduce the loss of golf balls.
3. New fence for the maintenance yard - $43,365
Installation of new fencing to enclose the maintenance yard.
4. Sprinkler System Replacement - $22,375
Replacement of 100 damaged sprinkler heads and adapters associated with the irrigation system.
5. Painting and dry rot repair - $8,525
Removal and repair of dry rot, followed by painting of the club house building.
6. Pump repair - $22,828.33
Repair of failed pump, which SGM attributes to lack of maintenance by previous lessee. This item has been completed to avoid damage to the turf.
7. Bunker Renovation - $2,274.79
Renovation of bunkers, including digging out dirt/grass, install a drainage system, and place new bunker sand.
The total estimated cost of the proposed improvements is $166,491.85. SGM is requesting the City fund 50% of this cost, or $83,245.93.
The Golf Course Committee reviewed this request and determined improvements #1-3 are consistent with the criteria for Long-Term Capital Improvements.
The improvements listed as #4-7 above are not typically consistent with the criteria of LongTerm Capital Improvements. However, the Committee recommends that the City Council consider a one-time funding for these items for the following reasons:
A significant amount of deferred maintenance was not addressed by the previous lessee.
Approval of 50% funding for these items would allow SGM to advance these improvements.
SGM will self-perform the sprinkler system replacement and bunker renovation using inhouse personnel and is not requesting reimbursement for labor costs, only half of the cost of materials.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Golf Course Capital Fund was established in 2008. The previous lessee did not take advantage of this fund. The current balance is $590,000. The City’s 50% share of the requested capital improvements ($83,245.93) would be funded from the Golf Course Capital Improvement Account Fund.