910 Calle Negocio
2nd Floor
San Clemente, California
www.san-clemente.org
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
Meeting Date: August 5, 2025 Agenda Item: 10A.
Submitted By: Beaches, Parks and Recreation
Prepared By: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Subject:
..titl e
CONSIDERATION OF IN-HOUSE OPERATIONS FOR SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE PRO SHOP SERVICES ..body
Fiscal Impact:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the action recommended in this report.
However, staff anticipates presenting detailed budget and capital projections when returning with the full proposal. Early analysis suggests potential for increased revenue retention and improved cost recovery under the proposed model.
Summary:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to develop and return with a comprehensive proposal for transitioning the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Pro Shop operations from a contracted model to a City-operated model beginning January 1, 2027, following the expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2026.
Background:
The City of San Clemente currently contracts with Dave Cook for Pro Shop and instructional services at the Municipal Golf Course. This contract is set to expire on December 31, 2026. In preparation for this transition, staff has conducted a preliminary assessment of in-house operational feasibility, including staffing, equipment needs, instructional programming, and retail operations.
The goal of transitioning to in-house operations is to provide greater consistency in customer service, improve program integration, increase revenue retention, and align course operations more directly with City recreational and community goals.
The proposed operational framework would bring Pro Shop operations, golf instruction, and associated retail under direct City management within the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department. Key elements of the in-house model include:
Staffing Model: A combination of full-time and hourly staff would support Pro Shop and Starter Office operations. This includes a Golf Professional, customer service personnel, and seasonal/hourly support for the range and starter.
Equipment & Infrastructure: Staff will assess leasing options for a golf cart fleet and update range ball vending machines to modern, POS-integrated models. Inventory systems and operational redundancies would ensure efficiency and reliability. 1 Attachment 2
Meeting Date: August 5, 2025 Agenda Item: 10A.
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
Instructional Programming: Golf lessons, junior camps, and clinics would transition to the City's existing Independent Contract Instructor model, shifting revenue from a 90/10 split (current model) to a 70/30 split in the City’s favor. Programs would be managed by City staff and promoted through official City channels.
Retail Merchandising: The Pro Shop would offer a focused selection of golf merchandise, managed through the City’s procurement system, with an emphasis on turnover and local vendor engagement.
Staff believes this operational model provides an opportunity to modernize service delivery, enhance community access to recreational golf, and generate additional revenue for the Golf Fund to support the long-term stability of the course.
Council Options:
Authorize staff to proceed with the development of a full proposal for in-house Pro Shop operations to be returned to City Council at a future date. Direct staff to explore bidding options for continued third-party operation through a formal Request for Proposal process.
Provide alternative direction to staff regarding the management structure or timeline for the Golf Course Pro Shop.
Environmental Review/Analysis:
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, as it constitutes administrative or fiscal activity that does not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
Recommended Actions:
Staff Recommendation ..recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to develop and return with a comprehensive proposal for transitioning the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Pro Shop operations to an inhouse model upon expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2026. ..end
Attachment:
None
Notification:
Golf Course Committee
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