San Clemente committee adopts master-plan priorities, places irrigation and bunkers first

The San Clemente Golf Committee voted to forward the consultants’ master-plan priorities to City Council on a voice vote, with the irrigation system and bunker renovations identified as the committee’s top priorities. The motion also asked staff to prioritize mitigation of errant shots on the course and driving range and to move the plan forward to the council for final consideration.

Consultants from THK and DHJ Associates presented a yearlong study and a suite of recommendations intended to modernize infrastructure, improve playability and strengthen the course’s long-term finances. The consultant team described the irrigation system as “30 plus years old,” telling the committee that irrigation replacement is the project that drives the schedule and the location of many other improvements. Josh (THK) summarized the plan’s five top priorities as irrigation, bunkers, social spaces, range/practice facilities and maintenance equipment.

Dan Conway of DHJ Associates gave the committee a financial overview, saying the course currently receives about $28 in revenue per round with total expenditures near $49 per round. He estimated that the recommended changes could increase facility value from about $16.1 million to roughly $24 million if implemented with the consultants’ revenue and fee recommendations.

Public testimony was mixed. Several residents and club members urged minimal, targeted repairs rather than large-scale redesigns, arguing the course is a recreational asset for local golfers and warning some design changes would disadvantage higher-handicap players. Other speakers urged more comprehensive work to reset the course’s infrastructure life cycle. A member of the public also raised an unrelated concern about recurring reserved tee times by an outside club; staff told the speaker that the topic was not on the agenda and advised following up with City Council or staff outside the meeting.

The committee’s motion—moved during the meeting and seconded—directed that the master-plan priorities be forwarded to City Council, with the irrigation program and bunker work emphasized as top items and a request to address errant-shot mitigation as quickly as feasible. Staff noted that the project will require further budget refinement with contractors and specialist consultants and that environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) would be explored at the staff level. The item will next go to City Council for budget and policy decisions.