Greener Golf Pastures? : A divided Anaheim City Council tonight will consider handing operation of its two municipal courses to a private firm promising more revenue.

For 16 years, Don Lewis has tended the grass at Anaheim Hills Golf Course, making sure it has been properly mowed, watered and replanted so golfers enjoyed a rolling carpet of green turf.

“This course used to have the reputation of being a goat pasture,” Lewis said as he surveyed the grounds Monday. “But now we hear nothing but praise. We think it’s one of the finest public courses around. We’re doing great work here.”

Indeed, Anaheim Hills and the city’s other golf course, H.G. Dad Miller, are played heavily by the public, bringing in nearly $1.5 million a year to the city’s general fund. But some council members say the two courses, which are the only city-owned and -operated courses remaining in Orange County, could be more profitable.

In one of the fiercest city debates in years, a divided City Council tonight will consider laying off Lewis and the maintenance crews he supervises and handing the operations over to a private company, which says it could generate more money if it managed the courses.

“A lot of our guys are asking why (the council) is doing this,” said Lewis, who has been a city employee for 31 years. “They work very hard. It’s not like the city is losing money. If they want more money, we can do that too. No one has told us to.”

After an extensive review of bids from various golf operators, city analysts have recommended against contracting the services out to American Golf Corp., the most competitive bidder.

They estimated that the firm would only generate about $2.1 million of additional funds over the 20-year contract. That amount is minimal when compared to the risk of losing control of the course operations, city staff concluded.

But in these financially tight times, some politicians find it hard to turn down an offer that guarantees more money, no matter how little.

“It’s a very emotional issue,” said Councilman Bob D. Simpson, who is one of two councilmen opposed to privatizing the courses. “Very emotional.” The three other councilmen have voiced support for privatization, but have stopped short of endorsing the current proposal.

Sharon Ericson, president of the Anaheim Municipal Employees Assn., said the council wrongly believes that privatization “is a big panacea” to the city’s financial problems. “It’s the buzzword of the ‘90s. It’s just a political game and it’s sad.”

Ericson said 25 full-time workers and about 40 part-timers will lose their jobs with the city if the course services are privatized. And, she added, the city will lose the chance for even greater revenue in the future.

“These golf courses are tremendous assets,” she said. “Why do you think American Golf wants to run them?”

Jim Riley, who sits on the city’s citizen golf advisory commission, agreed that the council should resist the urge to privatize.

“It’s too good of a thing to give away,” said Riley, as he walked off the Anaheim Hills course after shooting an 82. “American Golf does a good job--it’s hard to criticize them--but I think the city can maintain the courses better and get more money down the road.”

Many golfers at Anaheim Hills were uncertain about what the consequences would be if the city turned the operations over to a private company. Some feared that the quality of the course would suffer, that course improvements would not be made and that green fees would increase.

“It’s difficult to know what will happen,” said Jon Davis, a Yorba Linda realtor who was practicing his putting Monday. “Anaheim Hills has always been in good condition. You’d hate to see that suffer.”

But Tim Scoval, a fireman from Orange, said he thought a private operator might cater to the golfers better.

“They might be a little more customer-oriented,” he said. “The city seems to be a little slow to make changes.”

Joe Guerra, executive vice president of American Golf, said his company has committed to making $2 million in course improvements if it is granted the contract. Furthermore, he said the quality of the course will be dictated by the city.

“There’s a reason we have grown to the size we are,” said Guerra, noting that American Golf operates 180 courses. “We continue to meet the expectations of our landlords.”

He added that the city employees who work at the golf course would be hired by American Golf and given opportunities for career advancement. He said, however, that he was not sure how the company’s wages and benefits compare with the city’s.

Said Al Morris, the lead maintenance worker at Dad Miller Golf Course: “American Golf is looking out for American Golf; we look out for the city. All our profits go back to the city. It’s kind of asinine that they’re even considering this.”

Tee Off for Two

The hilly Anaheim Hills Golf Course and the flat H.G. Dad Miller Golf Course are Orange County’s only remaining city-owned and -operated courses.

- Tee time: Reservations can be made 24 hours a day via a computerized system

- Course length: Anaheim Hills, 6,218 yards; Dad Miller, 6,021 yards

- Green fees * : $16 weekdays, $22 weekends; $11 for weekday twilight games (after 3 p.m.), $12 on weekends; $20 for carts

- Facilities: Pro shop, restaurant, banquet room, restrooms

- Driving range: Yes

- Lighted course: No

- Water hazards: Yes

- Maximum player group: Foursome

*

* For 18 holes

Source: Individual courses