Ione council approves temporary city management of Castle Oaks Golf Course while owner seeks buyer

The Ione City Council on April 30 approved two related agreements putting the city in interim operational control of Castle Oaks Golf Course while owner Hahn (Shanghai Corporation/Hahn Family Foundation) seeks a new buyer. The council voted to accept a temporary management agreement with the owner’s affiliates and to adopt an amendment to the course’s current management contract with Troon, the club management firm. Both measures passed on voice votes with councilors answering “aye.”

City Attorney Josh Burzynski summarized the arrangements to the council, saying the city will assume maintenance and operational responsibility and will do so through Troon, which currently manages the course. “The city is gonna be paying $10,000 a month for the use of all facilities,” Burzynski said, and the city will be responsible for any Troon termination or cancellation fees if those apply during the interim period. He also said the city would pay for existing clubhouse inventory (an estimate of about $10,000–$15,000) and that, under the agreement, all course income would flow to the city while it covers operating costs.

Why it matters: the measures temporarily shift operating costs and revenues to the city to keep the course open and preserve its condition while prospective buyers perform due diligence.…