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San Clemente council directs staff to study in-house operation for municipal golf course
Summary
Council voted 4-1 to direct staff to develop a comprehensive proposal for transitioning San Clemente Municipal Golf Course operations in-house when the current pro-shop contract expires at the end of 2026.
The San Clemente City Council voted on Aug. 5 to direct staff to prepare a comprehensive proposal evaluating whether the city should assume in-house operations of the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course once the current pro-shop contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026.
Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Wiley presented background and preliminary numbers and said staff believes in-house operations are feasible but requested council direction to pursue a detailed feasibility study. The council also discussed alternatives, including issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit private operators.
After public commenters urged caution and recommended a careful cost–benefit analysis, the council voted 4–1 in favor of directing staff to return with a full proposal. In the debate, council members cited competing priorities: the desire to protect an important municipal amenity versus concerns about pensions, procurement efficiency and whether private contractors may provide superior service.
Staff said it will return with the proposal by September, including financial analysis, staffing implications, examples of comparable municipal-run courses and options for separating food and beverage or event services. The council emphasized that the vote was direction to study the option, not a final decision to transition operations.
