Remember
back about 15 years when Yorba Linda was building the Black Gold Golf
Club and proponents promised income from the facility would add some
$1 million yearly to the city treasury, replacing declining revenue
due to the slowing of 1980s-1990s building activity?
For
several years this column sadly noted that instead of huge profits
flowing to city coffers, taxpayer subsidies were needed to cover
expenses at the 219-acre course, which opened in 2001.
Now,
however, there's better news on two fronts – a positive net income
and progress in water conservation, according to a report from city
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Kudron that's backed by an
independent, on-site review by the United States Golf Association.
Revenues
from the most recently completed fiscal year, 2014-15, were close to
$5.9 million, with a net income of $690,288. Some $100,000 was used
to purchase a fleet of 89 golf carts and another $86,729 on driving
range and clubhouse improvements, leaving a $503,559 net.
Increased
revenues exceeded estimates by $52,508 and the prior year by $86,801,
despite a 0.2 percent decline in green fee income, representing 598
fewer rounds played, a 1.7 percent drop. But the “average rate per
player” was up $1.08 over budget and $1.14 over prior year.
Growth
in food and beverage operations and tournament golf rounds
contributed to the black ink. Eat and drink income was nearly $2.2
million, up 4.6 percent over estimates. Tournament revenue was
$914,189, an 8.4 percent boost on 10,939 rounds, an 11.8 percent
jump.
Guest
total was 108,684. The breakdown: 55,755 golf rounds; 12,112 practice
facility; 9,900 weddings; 12,700 banquets and meetings; 6,500 events
and tournaments; 11,717 a la carte dining. A survey of 2,195
customers rated the club's services at 9.3 out of 10.
Playing
a key role in water conservation is a nearly complete transition from
perennial rye grass to Kikuyugrass, beginning in 2010 to cover 112
turf acres with a grass variety “more suitable” to the area's
climate and growing conditions, irrigated by non-potable water.
Fairways
are 80 to 95 percent Kikuyugrass, with “wall-to-wall” coverage,
including roughs and turf slopes, expected in three years. According
to Kudron's report, the course “is in very good overall condition,
and irrigation water usage has been reduced.”
Kudron
noted: “The warm-season Kikuyugrass' drought-tolerant nature
enabled us to eliminate daytime watering of established areas without
jeopardizing turf health.” Wetting agents help water penetrate soil
and improve holding capacity, and dry spots are hand-watered.
Among
recommendations in the golf association's independent report are to
plan for bunker sand replacement, due to natural contamination of
silt and organic debris after 10 to 15 years, and upgrade portions of
the irrigation system “to ensure optimum...performance and water
use efficiency.” No cost estimates were given for these projects.