Board shifts golf ranger authority to director of golf and waives planned October fee increase

The Recreation Centers of Sun City board on Sept. 25 voted to change how the volunteer golf ranger program is governed and to delay a planned member fee increase.

Ranger program policy: By a 9–0 roll call the board approved a Golf Advisory Committee recommendation to amend Board Policy 17 by removing the sections titled “enforcement of rules and regulations” and “fines and suspensions” related to the volunteer ranger program, and to assign conduct of the ranger program to the director of golf. Secretary Keis explained the change reduces a conflict between the policy language and the association bylaws; the current policy had allowed a volunteer ranger to impose suspensions, but Article 13 of the bylaws reserves suspension authority to the general manager, board president, or the board hearing commission. Keis said moving program management to the director of golf gives staff clearer operational control while preserving formal hearing and appeal rights under the bylaws.

Golf fees: The board also considered a recommendation from the Golf Advisory Committee (and supported by the Finance, Budget & Audit Committee) to waive a scheduled Oct. 1, 2025, increase in golf pass fees. Committee materials noted a series of member fee increases earlier in 2025, and the advisory committee (vote 13–5) and the finance committee recommended waiving an additional October increase. The board voted 9–0 to waive the Oct. 1 increase and then voted 9–0 to waive the second reading so the waiver takes effect in time for October.

What members and directors said: Secretary Keis noted the volunteer ranger program is “an important tool necessary to keep play moving smoothly” but described a conflict with the bylaws when volunteers were given authority to suspend members. Johnny Pearson, a public commenter, said he supported the proposed amendments. Directors said assignments to the director of golf would improve the program’s operational effectiveness and align suspension authority with the bylaws and the hearing process.

Next steps: Management and the director of golf will assume responsibility for the ranger program’s conduct; formal suspension and appeal processes remain governed by the bylaws and existing hearing procedures. Staff will implement the fee waiver so the pass prices remain at current rates for the remainder of 2025 and will notify pro shops and members of the change.

Sources: Secretary Keis, Golf Advisory Committee recommendation, and vote tally recorded at the RCSC board meeting on Sept. 25, 2025.