(FOX 5/KUSI) — An independent audit is recommending sweeping changes to how San Diego manages several of its city-owned golf courses, aiming to boost revenue as the city faces a projected $250 million budget shortfall.
The audit, presented to the City Council’s Audit Committee, outlines ways to improve oversight and maximize profits from the city’s leased golf properties. San Diego owns 11 golf courses, including Torrey Pines, and leases out eight of them.
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In calendar year 2024, golf course land leases generated about $3.7 million in revenue for the city, according to the audit.
Councilmember Henry Foster III said proper management of city assets is critical.
“If we are not managing our assets appropriately, I think we are doing more of a disservice to the public,” Foster said.
Councilmember Vivian Moreno said she was struck by disparities in revenue among the courses, particularly at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, an affluent gated community known for its luxury homes.
“While reading the audit, I was struck at how much revenue Fairbanks Ranch was bringing in but how little in pay the city was obtaining,” Moreno said.
According to the audit, Fairbanks Ranch generates close to $17 million annually. It suggests that reappraising the lease at the earliest opportunity could bring in an estimated $2.5 million in additional annual revenue for the city.
At the other end of the spectrum, Colina Park Golf Course generated more than $800,000 in revenue in 2024 but paid the city just over $4,000, the audit found.
The auditor noted that Colina Park and Presidio Hills are similar in size, but Colina Park reported three times as many rounds played. The report said that if rounds data were consistently tracked and reported, the city could better identify underperforming courses and investigate the causes.
The audit also recommends the city conduct inspections of each course at least every six months to address necessary repairs and improvements, and improve overall monitoring of financial and operational performance.
The city’s Economic Development Department has accepted the recommendations. The City Council is expected to discuss the findings at a future meeting.
Even as city leaders focus on finances, golfers continue to frequent the courses. At Colina Park, Chris Nayouk said he supports the course in part because of its connection to youth programs.
“For Colina, First Tee helps the kids, and I know the money from our round goes back to the kids in the program,” Nayouk said.
Curtis Burkhead, director of First Tee San Diego at Colina Park, said maintaining financial stability is key to serving the community.
“We want to continue to not only stay stable but continue to move on the upward trajectory and continue to grow so we can continue to serve the community,” Burkhead said.
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