City Readies to Rebid Golf Course Services

Draft bid specifications for contracts to run driving ranges, pro shops and training classes at four city golf courses were approved by the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners on Wednesday.

The city is moving to rebid contracts to operate concessions at Hansen Dam, Woodley Lakes, Encino/Balboa and Rancho Park golf courses. Together, they are expected to generate $12 million in income for the city.

Contracts held by the current concessionaires have expired and must be rebid, according to the city charter, because each is worth more than $100,000.

In response to criticism from city and regional golf groups that the way bid specifications were structured might discourage small, independent contractors from competing for a contract, the commission decided to lower the minimum bids for the driving range concessions.

The parks department had originally proposed that bidders for the driving range operations pledge a minimum cut of 40% to 50% of their sales to the city, depending on the golf course. As a result of the changes, the minimum percentage is now 35% to 45%.

Craig Kessler, public affairs chairman of the Southern California Public Links Golf Assn., said he is pleased that the board chose to listen to golf players’ concerns. He said service could slip if a large national chain were to win the right to run concessions at all four courses.

“We still have a bit of concern about the bundling” of the contracts, Kessler said. “That could lead to a monopoly, and in the long term that does not serve the public interest.”

The draft bid specifications, known as requests for proposals, must be approved by the mayor’s office, city attorney’s office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--which owns the land where the three Valley courses are located--before the parks department can advertise for bids.