5 AN
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR GOLF COURSE
COMMITTEE MEETING
CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the Golf Course Committee of the City of San Clemente was called to order by Chair Divel on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA. Committee Member Veale led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Rick Divel, Mandy Hamilton, Ben Page, Robert Zumberge Ben Page left the dias at 4:06 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Jordan Gilmore, Golf Course Manager
Debbie Fields, Administrative Assistant
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 7, 2024 AYE: Divel, Hamilton, Page, Veale, Zumberge
NOE: None
A motion by Committee Member Zumberge, seconded by Committee Member Page, CARRIED 5-0, to move item 4B up.
AYE: Divel, Hamilton, Page, Veale, Zumberge
NOE: None
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
A. Golf Course Master Plan Update - Conceptual Design Review Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a staff report concerning the golf course master plan update and conceptual design review.
Andy Staples and Josh Goeden with Staples Golf discussed that in addition to the top three main concerns: (1) Irrigation System; (2) Maintenance Equipment; (3) •
Golf Course Committee Minutes of February 6, 2025 page 2 Bunkers, various renovation plans for the golf course, including bunker renovations, driving range expansion, and modifications to specific holes. The discussion also included potential improvements to the parking lot, clubhouse, and a larger putting green.
Bill Freeman, a San Clemente resident, commented on proposed irrigation, bunkers improvement, the driving range, and social areas.
Chuck Gibbon, a Mission Viejo resident, commented on irrigation, maintenance equipment, fixing the traps, and the driving range. Would like to leave the course as Rebecca Farrow, a San Clemente resident, social aspects, there is no need, and that the course activity report has increased from 2020. Does the City get a portion of that?
Don Gascoigne, a San Clemente resident, mentioned the irrigation system that needs to be replaced. We should raise the rates for the non-residents to help pay for the irrigation.
Kurt Lu, provided feedback on the proposed new putting green, it will be too close to the 1 & 10 tees.
James Najera, provided feedback on the pace of play, and suggested that there be signage in the clubhouse stating the golfers should be ready to play and a deposit.
Committee members either individually or in agreement provided the following comments:
• New irrigation system is a priority.
Maintenance Equipment is a priority.
Bunkers are a priority.
• Golf course re-design could wait.
The need for raising the net on the driving range is important Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, Samantha Wylie recommended that the Committee establish an ad-hoc subcommittee to work closely with the consultanting team before returning to the Committee at its next meeting.
Motion by Chair Divel, seconded by Vice Chair Hamilton, CARRIED 4-0, Committee Member Page absent to take staff recommendations and establish an ad-hoc subcommittee.
Masterplan ad-hoc subcommittee will be Committee Members Veale and Zumberge.
AYE: Divel, Hamilton, Veale, Zumberge
NOE: None
• Golf Course Committee Minutes of February 6, 2025 page 3 B. Request for Additional Block Reservation Tee Times - Tin Whistles Committee members either individually or as a group discussed and commented on why there should or shouldn't be an additional two tee times added to the block tee time reservation for the Tin Whistles.
A motion by Committee Member Zumberge, seconded by Committee Member Veale, CARRIED 4-1, to accept the staff recommendation to increase the allotted tee time block reservation to six times total, one time per month on Fridays, starting at 10:15 a.m.
AYE: Divel, Page, Veale, Zumberge
NOE: Hamilton
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Implementing a Non-Refundable Deposit Fee for Golf Tee Time Bookings
A staff report presented by Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, Samantha Wylie discussing the proposed non-refundable deposit fee of $10 per booked round for each player.
Vinnie Poncino, representing the Dave Cook Pro Shop, provided input that the non- refundable booking deposit might help with the cancellations.
Committee members either individually or in agreement provided the following comments:
Repeat offenders should pay the deposit.
• Implement one tee time per user rule.
• ' Cancel within a certain amount of time or there will be a cancellation fee.
Morris Thomas, a Los Angeles resident and part of the Southern California Golf Association, commented that he has seen other golf courses that have implemented a non-refundable deposit and have been very successful.
Tucker Wincele, a San Clemente resident, commented that he has a hard time finding tee times, and is in favor of the non-refundable deposit.
Chris Ahola, a San Clemente resident, commented that he is not in favor of the non- refundable deposit
A motion by Committee Member Veale, seconded by Chair Divel, CARRIED 4-0, Committee Member Page absent, to recommend the City Council establish a deposit fee and cancelation fee, whereby upon booking a tee time, a $10 refundable deposit is required. If the tee time is canceled prior to 48 hours before the tee time, the $10 deposit is returned. If the tee time is canceled within 48 hours before the tee time, the $10 deposit is forfeited. If the tee time is canceled within 24 hours of the tee time, the full fee is required. If there isn't a credit card on file, the account will be put on hold until the charges are settled.
AYE: Divel, Hamilton, Veale, Zumberge
NOE: None
Golf Course Committee Minutes of February 6, 2025 page 4
6. ITEMS FROM STAFF
A. 2nd Quarter Golf Course Activity Report
Commite members agree to repeive and fle the 2rd Quarter Goi Course Activity B. Staff Communications
Samantha Wylie, Director of Beaches, Parks & Recreation, provided an update on Noteefy data; and informed the Committee that some Committee members terms will expire on June 30, 2025, and the City Clerk will release information on future opportunities to get involved in Commissions and Committees.
Jordan Gilmore, Golf Course Manager, stated that staff are fixing cart paths; have leveled out tees 1 & 10; the Division is fully staffed; and aeration will take place on February 14 & 15, 2025.
3. ITEMS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
A. Subcommittee Reports
Greens Subcommittee - Divel, Page
None
ii. House Subcommittee - Hamilton, Zumberge
None
ili. Golf Course Finance Subcommittee - Page, Veale
None
B. Urgent Needs for Golf Course
None
C. Committee Member Items
• Committee Member Zumberge commented that the marshals should help with the pace of play.
Committee Members Hamilton and Veale mentioned increasing the rates. :
Chair Divel asked that the golf course add a couple of cups to the chipping Green.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Divel, seconded by Committee Member Veale, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, Committee Member Page absent to adjourn at 4:51 p.m. to a regular meeting on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA.
Date: 5/1/25
Golf Course Committee Chair
Osemalesli Date: 5/8/20
Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director