Shoreline links has one of the best property in the area. It's a pity they couldn't even break even. We need a new head pro (operator) who knows how to balance the budget, keep the course in good condition and knows how to promote the golf course.

Seems the golf course WAS making money - at least that is what I remember after the city took it over. So, what has changed? It would be nice if the article could talk about how busy they are. Last time I played out there, I couldn't get on until mid afternoon as just a 2-some. Without the facts, we are left second guessing.

maybe you shouldn't pay the golf pro ($100,086), his assistant ($106,807), and his assistants assistant ($76,794) more than your city attorney ($88,012) lol

Are those the real salaries? Wow, I'm in the wrong business!

From what I understand, City "charges" golf course for items they would still have to pay for to maintain the land even if the golf course wasn't there.

City "charges" the golf course an excessive administration course that seems to be a made up number.

City charges the golf course for free water.

When all is said and done, the golf course actually isn't losing money!

Be careful with outsourcing, today it is the golf course that is being reviewed.

How long before other city departments and employees can be replaced by outsourcing?

If this were a typical company, the person in charge of running the golf course would have been fired and a new person brought in to increase revenues and profits. Municipalities just keep the same people in place until they retire. The Peter Principle is in full effect.

The last time the golf course was outsourced, it cost the city $7 million in a lawsuit!!! (It was only $5 million but since we don't check facts anymore and exaggerate the truth I figure I would go with the $7mil figure)

Do something about the bird crap and people will come back to this great golf course (then you won't have to worry about losing money).

Funny how story says Council considering outsourcing just Golf Shop operations.

Those people are the face of the golf course. A couple of guys in golf shop make it a real pleasure to go to the golf course. After all of the cuts, there are only a few employees left in the shop and according to published salaries, don't make all that much compared to guys who cut the grass.

I think the thought there is....Council members campaign funds receive $$$ from SEIU so keeping maintenance workers is council members taking care of their contributors.

It's a shame that Shoreline has had such a troubled history. This was a very good municipal course design and I played it frequently when it opened. Then it got too expensive relative to the other courses, the maintenance was terrible (especially the greens and bunkers) and the bird poop made it unplayable.

We just need the operators to make this layout an enjoyable place to play again. Make it affordable, get a greens crew that is competent and get rid of the bird poop. Then, I'll come back.

I hope they open the bidding to the City of Sunnyvale and Palo Alto. They seem to have figured this out.

What does Sunnyvale and Palo Alto have figured out? Sunnyvale is still City run and Palo Alto just went out to contract. Palo Alto's overall finances are a complete mess compared to Mtn View's so you can't even compare them. Think before you type.

It's easy to balance budget:
1. Cut the total compensation package of all operators by half. Why you pay 6 figure salary to job that a high schooler can perform?
2. If they don't agree, let their grandma teach them the principle of live by means then Layoff all of them and replace them with contractors paid by hour. Remember all the bloody parasites of Ford and GM?
3. If the city still can't balance the budget, close it and lease half to Google to build condos for Google employees who contribute to the city tax revenue. Leave half to build a swimming pool, a sports complex.

I'm confused, isn't Shoreline in the Redevelopment District? Why should all that money come out of the City general fund?

you could make it a hunting area on certain hours for canadian geese and the like and fix two problems in one.

Only recently did Sunnyvale stop outsourcing. PA has always outsourced pro shop and made money. Failure to contain costs is why golf courses run into trouble

No Green At City's Golf Course
Operation Set To Lose Up To $1.5 Million
According to this article the city has indicated this facility is growing a deficit estimated to be between $900,000 and $1.5 million dollars next year and has consumed whatever reserves it had this year.
Your article indicates council member Margaret Abe-Koga was the only council present that thought it would be reckless to rush to cut costs. It also indicates she made a statement regarding as to why this problem wasn’t addressed four or five years ago. The question that should be asked is, How are we going to address this issue now? Discussing why it wasn’t addressed four or five doesn’t solve the problem today.
In my opinion the following questions should be asked;
How many people who use this facility are Mountain View residents? Could the $900,000 to $1.5 million estimated be better spent for Mountain View residents? Is this facility even feasible to keep open with Palo Alto and Sunnyvale Golf Courses in such close proximity? If it does remain open, how do we get our employee operating cost in line with other cities? Should the whole facility be given to the San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge? (Most of the adjacent property already does……………
Due to the fact that Margaret Abe-Koga received campaign funds from city employees unions shouldn’t she recues herself from voting on any issue effects them? Sooner or later our city council will have to deal with city wide program deficits. Are they then going to say, “Why didn't we talk about this four or five years ago?"