Scheduled for consideration by the Golf Course Committee at its regular meeting on August 6, 2026
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
GOLF COURSE COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026, 5:00 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, May 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA. Committee Member Page led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Ela, Divel, Page, Zumberge
ABSENT: Hamilton
STAFF PRESENT: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Gersson, Golf Course Mangaer
Debbie Fields, Administrative Assistant
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approval of Minutes
February 5, 2026 Golf Course Committee Regular Meeting Minutes will be brought back to the committee at the next scheduled regular meeting on August 6, 2026.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
None
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
4. OLD BUSINESS
None
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of Proposed Private Golf Cart Use Policy for the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, presented the first draft attempt of the proposed Private Golf Cart Use Policy for the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.
Golf Course Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 7, 2026 Committee Members either individually or in agreement, discussed the following items:
• Newer carts that are purchased are four seaters, two forward and two back • Clarify the tire restrictions and weight restrictions of the carts • Four seaters versus two seaters
• Length of a golf cart
• Driving carts through the snack bar and restroom area • Pro Shop making final decision
• Insurance being a little excessive
Ira Horwitz, San Clemente, expressed concerns regarding the six seaters versus 2 seaters, weight of carts, and insurance requirements.
Rebecca Farrow, San Clemente, expressed concerns regarding the insurance requirements.
John Greer, San Clemente, expressed concerns regarding the insurance requirements.
Gary Weaver expressed concerns regarding insurance and grandfathering in a lot of golfers and the cost of turf safe tires for golf carts.
Brian Weaver, San Clemente, mentioned that the damage of the golf course is not based on the size of the cart, but the size of the tire and having a high PSI.
Don Gascoigne, expressed concerns regarding the tire size and insurance requirements.
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, acknowleged the comments and concerns from the Committee and residents and expressed that the private golf cart policy is being updated to in an effort to support the Pro Shop.
Motion by Committee Member Ela, second by Committee Member Page, CARRIED 4-0, Vice Chair Hamilton absent, to recommend staff revise the policy based on public comments and committee comments and bring back to the next regular meeting.
AYE: Ela, Divel, Page, Zumberge
NOE: None
6. ITEMS FROM STAFF
A. 2nd Quarter Golf Course Activity Report
Committee Members either individually or in agreement, discussed the following items:
• Quarterly Golf Course Activity Report – Discussed breaking down the quarterly report into more detailed components for improved analysis and understanding of golf course activity and adding current total figures to enable clearer comparisons across reporting periods.
Motion by Committee Member Ela, second by Committee Member Page, CARRIED 4-0, Committee Member Hamilton absent to receive and file and incorporate the changes discussed.
B. Staff Communications
Golf Course Committee Regular Meeting Minutes May 7, 2026 Gersson Ojeda, the new Golf Course Manager, introduced himself and provided a brief overview of his professional background and experience
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, thanked the Women’s Club and Nine Tees for coordinating with staff to finalize agreements for continued course use and block reservations. City Council approved a municipal code update regarding the resale of tee times. Council agreed to issue a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1954. Director Wylie reminded the Committee and the public that all individuals on the course, including non-playing children, must pay the required spectator fee. Safety concerns were raised regarding unattended children on the golf course, and golfers were asked to supervise children at all times. The public was encouraged to contact the Pro Shop with questions regarding course access and spectator policies, and the Committee and public were urged to support Pro Shop staff in enforcing spectator fee and safety requirements.
7. ITEMS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
A. Subcommittee Reports
i. Pro Shop Operations Subcommittee (Divel, Hamilton)
None
B. Committee Member Items
Committee Members, either individually or in agreement, discussed the following items:
• Master Plan
• Pro Shop RFP
• Golf Course Organizational Chart
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) options available through foreUP • Bot Booking & Tee Time Resale
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Committee Member Ela, second by Committee Member Page, CARRIED 4-0, Committee Member Hamilton absent, to adjourn at 5:42 p.m. to a regular meeting on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA.
_____________________________________ Date: _______________ Golf Course Committee Chair
_____________________________________ Date: _______________ Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director