Yorba Linda's city-owned Black Gold Golf Club posts positive profit picture, water use savings

Two key topics were among the several subjects covered in a recently released report on Yorba Linda's city-owned Black Gold Golf Club: the 219-acre facility continues to return a profit and a seven-year transition to Kikuyu grass has saved millions of gallons of water.

Revenue for the 2016-17 fiscal year approached $5.8 million, resulting in $629,719 income after expenses. Course improvements totaled $267,761, leaving a net income of $361,958, according to the written report from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Kudron.

The revenue total still lags behind the 2006-07 fiscal year total of nearly $6.5 million achieved before the Great Recession, but the profit picture is more positive since the city used general fund reserves during the 2013-14 fiscal year to pay off $15.6 million of remaining principal on the club's initial construction bonds.

Club income exceeded the previous year total by $91,109, but fell short of the $243,921 increase that was predicted when the budget was adopted in 2016. Green fees and golf shop revenues were better than the previous year, while food and beverage income dropped some.

During the year, the club hosted an estimated 132,334 visitors: 56,627 for golf rounds, 25,345 at the practice range, 17,823 for banquets and meetings, 13,748 for a la cart dining, 10,341 at events and tournaments and 8,450 at weddings.

The year's capital projects included renovation of driving range tee area and replacement of range netting, renovation of 10 course bunkers, leveling par 3 blue and white tee boxes and new banquet chairs, ballroom audio-visual system and clubhouse Wi-Fi capability.

The Kikuyu grass transition that converted 112 acres of rye grass “has been classified as completed,” stated Kudron's report, with “almost full coverage” of fairways and rough. The project started in 2010 and saved an estimated 19 million gallons of water in the past year.

“The warm season Kikuyu grass is drought tolerant, which enabled staff to eliminate daytime watering of established areas without endangering turf health,” stated Kudron. The transition success was noted in an independent audit by a United States Golf Association agronomist.

Also reported:

--The club hosts Yorba Linda, Esperanza, El Dorado, Orange Lutheran high schools and Cal State Fullerton golf teams and classes in the city parks and recreation department for young and adult golfers, as well as four camps and academies that enroll young golf enthusiasts.

--Ratings from 1,559 customer surveys from golfers who used the facility for golf, food and beverage were 9.4 out of 10. A Net Promoter Score index that tracks customer satisfaction and willingness to promote the facility jumped from 70.7 to 79.3, highest in club history.

--Non-golfers are attracted to the club facility for July 4 fireworks viewing, holiday brunches and buffets, daily happy hours, weekly Sunday brunches and popular Taco Tuesday dining.