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Alamogordo commission orders new golf‑management RFP to include full maintenance after public outcry
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Summary
After presentations from three management firms and calls from local golfers, the commission voted unanimously to reissue the Desert Lakes Golf Course RFP to require bidders to propose full maintenance and operations, aiming to keep course stewardship under a single contractor.
The Alamogordo City Commission voted unanimously on March 24 to reissue its Request for Proposals for Desert Lakes Golf Course management to require bidders to include full maintenance and operations.
The decision came after three finalists—Maxim Golf, American Golf and Kemper Sports—gave detailed presentations and answered commissioners’ questions about agronomics, staffing, revenue models and transition plans. Public comment and multiple commissioners emphasized that maintenance control is central to improving long‑term playing conditions and protecting prior city investments in irrigation and infrastructure.
"You are the one voice that makes a decision," said Scott Frederick, president of the Men's Golf Association, during the public‑comment period, urging the commission to "kick an RFP out that includes maintenance" and to avoid awarding a contract that would split maintenance from operations.
Presenters offered differing approaches. Brian Minnis of Maxim Golf described a 90‑day transition, agronomic programs and workforce initiatives that he said drove revenue increases at comparable municipal courses. Paul Balham of American Golf proposed a lower base management fee with an incentive component and said his company routinely incorporates maintenance under a single operator. Josh Ward of Kemper Sports emphasized a resource‑heavy, community‑focused model and a 250‑item transition checklist intended to limit disruption during handover.
Commissioners questioned who would control pricing, staffing, procurement and private‑cart policies under a third‑party operator. Several presenters said they prefer to have at least a meaningful role in maintenance decisions and that shared governance makes effective turnaround work harder.
The motion that passed 6–0 directed staff to reissue the RFP with maintenance included and to readvertise the opportunity so interested companies can submit proposals that address full operations, maintenance and transition timelines. The commission did not limit the pool of potential bidders; staff said the rewritten RFP could be advertised within days, with a minimum statutory advertisement window, and that a 45–90 day transition remains the realistic range if a new contractor is selected.
Next steps: staff will revise the RFP to add a maintenance scope, republish the solicitation, and return proposals to the commission for evaluation. The commission did not award the contract on March 24.
