pages: GolfCommission/2008-06-18.pdf, 5
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GolfCommission | 2008-06-18 | 5 | because those golfers already have to drive some distance to play at Alameda. If their fees were raised to rates that are equal to or greater than other courses that require similar amounts of driving, many players would likely choose to play at those courses, which are newer (Metropolitan, Monarch Bay, Callippe) or cheaper (Lake Chabot, Willow Park) than Alameda. In economics, the term for this is price elasticity: raise the price, and demand goes down correspondingly. Residents of Alameda are far less likely to desert the Golf Complex if rates go up, particularly in these times of expensive prices at the gas pumps. Someone who can get to the golf course in five or ten minutes is unlikely to decide to drive half an hour or 45 minutes to reach another course that charges similar or even lower rates because any differential would be eaten up by mileage costs. Moreover, the residents of Alameda would be far more damaged than non-residents if a revenue deficit ultimately caused the closure of part or all of the golf courses in Alameda. The presence of three attractive, well-maintained public golf courses within a short drive of anyone who lives in the City positively affects all Alameda residential property values. Finally, Alameda residents have for years played golf for substantially less than non-residents. In this time of fiscal crisis for the City of Alameda and the Chuck Corica Golf Complex, it is fair to ask Alameda's residents to help. Chair Sullwold therefore proposes to eliminate all residential rates for golfers at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex. Assuming no decline in the number of rounds played as a result of these increases, the plan would generate more than $430,000 in additional revenue, very close to the amount of the projected deficit. Chair Sullwold acknowledged that this is very harsh, and very much contrary to the policy and practices at the Golf Complex during most if not all of the 81 years of its existence. It is, however, clear from watching the City Council budget workshops and listening to what Councilwoman Marie Gilmore had to say off the record that the City Council is unable and therefore unwilling rescind any of the fees it imposes on the Golf Complex. In order to avoid closure of our courses, the Golf Commission needs to ask Alameda residents to pitch in to support their Golf Complex. The motion was made and passed to have a Special Meeting on June 30, 2008 at 5:30 pm in the Ladies Lounge at the Golf Complex to consider recommendations, including a proposal for a fee increase, to make to City Council at its meeting of July 1, 2008. 5. ORAL REPORTS 5-A Golf Shop and Driving Range activities report by Assistant Golf Professional Mike Robason. The Assistant Golf Professional reported that the Ladies Day on June 11, 2008 was very successful and he is going to try and schedule an event once a month. The Golf Complex's largest "Demo Day" will be held on July 19, 2008 from 10 am to 4 pm. He will be setting up junior Clinics on Thursday afternoons from 3 p.m. to Chuck Corica Golf Complex Page 5 6/18/08 Golf Commission Minutes | GolfCommission/2008-06-18.pdf |