GOLF / FRED ROBLEDO : Group Fights Tax Proposal at Los Verdes

Golfers at Los Verdes Golf Course may be close to a victory they feel is more important than any match they have ever played.

For almost nine months a group of resident golfers, led by PGA players Len Kennett and Norm Hill, a past president of Los Verdes, have been waging a battle against the city of Rancho Palos Verdes because of a proposed golf-use tax.

The tax--to be established at a rate between 5% and 10%--would be applied to any fees charged for use of the course, driving or practice range.

The city estimates that such a tax would raise between $100,000 to $300,000 a year, depending on the rate.

But Kennett and Hill say there is a glitch in the proposal: Los Verdes is owned by Los Angeles County, which should make the course exempt from city-levied taxes.

Kennett and Hill have been attending monthly hearings on the matter since January, when the proposal was made.

“When I asked them how they could justify taxing a county-owned course, they told me that I had to use city streets to get to the course so I should have to pay a tax for using the course,” Kennett said.

Hill says the city is beginning to back down on its stance, but he is taking nothing for granted.

“We fight harder when the city tries to get more money from golfers just because they are perceived as being more affluent and able to afford it,” Hill said.

The perception that golf is a rich man’s sport may not be entirely false. Golfers will pay over $100 to play certain courses and will spend more money at the 19th hole talking about their round.

But senior golfers--most of whom are living on a fixed income--are most affected by rate increases.

“For many seniors, golf is their primary source of recreation and exercise,” Hill said. “They play only on weekdays and only on county courses because they can afford the rates. But they won’t be able to afford the rates if taxes takes the game out of their price range.”

Kennett and Hill believe the idea of a user tax on golf courses to raise money for a city or county is wrong. They don’t believe any group should be singled out.

“If they’re going to do it on golf courses, they won’t stop there,” Kennett said. “Why not tennis and camping and all other sorts of recreation. Besides, we’re already paying user fees in the prices we’re paying to play golf.”

So Kennett and Hill have been conducting a battle with a letter-writing campaign and by showing up at monthly hearings. The next City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 in the council chambers of the Fred Hesse Community Park Building, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd. The next public hearing is at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 in the council chambers.

Notes

A field of 120 golfers is competing in the Len Kennett South Bay Women’s Championship at Palos Verdes. The five-flight tournament ends today. “I have been planning this tournament for a long time because I have always considered myself a friend of golf,” Kennett said. “I want to build this tournament into one comparable to the L.A. City Women’s tournament.” The Kennett event drew golfers from San Francisco and San Diego. Among the players in the championship flight are Jennifer Choi of Rancho Park, who has a plus-two handicap, and Carrie Leary of Valencia, who is a scratch player. . . .

Junior golf is flourishing at Rancho Park because of the efforts of course pro Ron Weiner and course manager Clyde Blake. More than 150 golfers from age 7 to 17 are involved in the program. Each youngster receives a seven-iron, nine-iron and putter for use during the summer program, compliments of the pro shop. Golf pro Tim Pierce customizes the clubs for each player. . . . Barbara Stephan of Torrance shot 77-77-154 to win the Los Angeles City Senior Women’s Championship at Rancho Park by nine shots over Sandy Morse of Los Verdes. Millie Stanley, who had won the title 10 of the previous 12 years, finished third. “It was exciting,” Stephan said. “This is special because it’s my first senior golf tournament since I turned 50. I was very focused and relaxed.” Soon Chung of Los Verdes was the First Flight winner with a score of 152. The other flight winners were Lavaughn Ridder, Alondra Park, Second Flight, 144, and Eva Stokes, Rancho Park, Third Flight, 149.