San Clemente golf advisory committee adopts work plan, shifts meeting time and reviews pro shop options

The San Clemente City Golf Course Advisory Committee on an evening meeting approved its annual work plan, voted to change its regular meeting time to 5 p.m., and discussed options for the pro shop contract and several course operations issues.

The committee voted unanimously to adopt the work plan items presented by city staff, including maintaining the golf course master plan update, adding a fees review ad hoc subcommittee and creating a pro‑shop operations review subcommittee. Members also approved a separate resolution to shift the committee’s regular meeting start time from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The work plan and scheduling votes followed a staff briefing on procedural changes required by the Ralph M. Brown Act: standing subcommittees that meet regularly must be publicly noticed with an agenda and minutes posted 72 hours in advance. Allison, a city staff member, told the committee that the Brown Act means the committee cannot continue informal subcommittee meetings unless they are agendized and posted, and suggested alternatives such as the chair or vice chair meeting with staff and reporting back.

The committee discussed several operational items the staff reported to the committee and to city council in recent weeks. Allison and staff reported that the course logged about 114,000 rounds in the last fiscal year, a sharp increase from prior years. Staff also announced an interim superintendent, Jim Federle, a San Clemente resident with more than 40 years of industry experience, is currently supporting course operations while the city recruits a permanent superintendent.

Committee members raised maintenance concerns: irrigation remains constrained because only two of three pumps are active, with no firm ETA for full repair; bunkers need renovation and do not have liners to prevent contamination and erosion; and several holes need clearer out‑of‑bounds definitions ahead of upcoming tournaments. The green subcommittee’s quarterly course tour report said greens are in “outstanding” condition but noted bunker playability and irrigation repairs as top issues. Staff said many larger renovation projects are on hold until the master plan is complete.

Council actions reported to the committee included council approval of a donor program for benches and drinking fountains, equipment appropriations for course maintenance, and a supplemental appropriation from the capital improvement fund for Wedgwood to address a water heater and kitchen flooring. Staff said an interactive online map showing bench locations will be developed with the city’s GIS office and presented in November.

Members discussed the pro shop contract with operator Dave Cook, which runs through 2026. Staff said council requested direction this summer and is likely to ask for a recommendation in September on whether to study an in‑house pro shop operation, extend the current contract, or issue a request for proposals (RFP). Allison said staff thinks it is preferable for the committee to review responsive RFPs and provide a recommendation to council when the time comes. The committee formed a pro shop review ad hoc subcommittee to help evaluate options and provide feedback.

Staff also reported other near‑term changes under review: enforcement of no‑show and cancellation fees has increased, private cart policies may be revised after an insurance review (including possible age limits for private cart drivers), and the city is assessing course staffing levels — currently 10 full‑time employees with one long‑term absence, effectively nine on duty — and is considering adding 3–5 positions to improve operations. Any changes tied to wages or staffing will go to city council as budget items.

The committee discussed how to communicate minor operational requests (out‑of‑bounds markers, ground under repair markings, temporary closures) to on‑course staff. Staff asked committee members to email superintendent Jeff and the city staff contact and copy the committee chair, Rick, so crews can respond to playability and safety concerns.

The meeting concluded after routine business and the votes to adopt the work plan and the meeting time change. Committee members said they expect continued engagement as the city moves toward decisions on the pro shop contract and the golf course master plan.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes of the prior meeting: motion by Paige; second by Zoomers; outcome: approved (recorded as a voice vote during the meeting). - Motion to adopt the committee work plan and associated ad hoc subcommittees (fees, pro shop review, master plan input): outcome: approved (voice vote; recorded as unanimous by the chair). - Resolution to change regular meeting time from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.: motion by Ben (committee member); outcome: approved (voice vote; unanimous).