Keeping the Green in the Black

The is hitting over par when it comes to the city budget.

City officials say the golf course has lost $2 million in the past decade.

"To continue doing what we're doing is not a good business model," Assistant City Manager Troy Brown said in an interview Monday. "We're on the cusp of a tremendous opportunity here."

Brown is referring to Jan. 31, 2013 — the expiration date for the three operator contracts at the golf course.

Those services are Beeb's Sports Bar & Grill, DeBenedetti Pro Shop and Livermore Golf Management Corp.

Dan McIntyre, Livemore's public works director, said the city likely will begin circulating Requests For Proposals around January.

The city then would evaluate the RFPs in the spring, he said.

"Assuming we received very good proposals that would improve the golf course financial picture, then we'd recommend award of a contract in late spring or early summer of 2012." 

Cost will be a major factor in awarding a contract because the city's main goal is to make the golf course sustainable.

In 2008, a city study found that the latest cost-effective trend in managing municipal golf courses is to have a single operator running its services.

Brown said he would like to see current operators in the running.

"We do hope that they submit an RFP," he said. "We're not trying to force these guys out. People have enjoyed a high level of services there."

Do the independent operators stand a chance against larger corporations?

It has happened before, officials said.

In 2005, Jeff and Geanna DeBenedetti submitted a proposal to take over the pro shop in competition against much larger companies.

They were awarded the bid because they had the best economic and cost-effective service pitch at the time, McIntyre said.