Looks as though the leadership of SF does not see as much golf in their future. Suggestion is for no more Fleming, turn Lincoln into a 9 hole and turn Sharps Park into a nature preserve. Here is the editorial from today's Chronicle:
A DECISION about contracting out San Francisco's money-losing golf courses has turned up perhaps a bigger question. Why not convert some of the broad, green fairways into playfields?
It's a challenge that has picked up steam from soccer teams, dog walkers and hikers. But it comes loaded with millions of dollars in new expenses, extra duties for the city and a potential uproar that goes with upsetting a familiar part of the landscape.
The city -- in this case, the Recreation and Parks Department -- should consider tweaking its six courses. But there are bunker-sized hazards in converting the courses to other recreational uses.
The situation begs for careful thought. The verdant, woodsy courses, mainly on the western flank of town, are a benign presence that date back generations. But there are fewer golfers and bigger deficits facing the city. The Bay Area has a surfeit of golfing options, and the city's muni courses have a reputation for spotty care.
The Neighborhood Parks Council, which is bringing up the issue, suggests cutting the Lincoln links overlooking the Golden Gate from 18 to 9 holes, shutting down Fleming (now a 9-hole short course) and turning the city-owned Sharp Park in Pacifica into a nature preserve. The other courses, including the PGA-level Harding layout, would stay.
Why do this at all? Because, the council argues, the city's sports-minded population wants more out of its open space: soccer fields, baseball diamonds, jogging and hiking trails, disc golf courses, skate parks and tai chi spots.
No one knows this better than recreation officials, who say the city needs 35 new soccer fields and 30 baseball diamonds to meet demand. The existing 80 fields are worn down, gopher-holed and unusable for weeks after steady rains.
Finding the money and the best locations, however, will be difficult. Converting any golf course will disrupt nearby neighborhoods, cost unknown amounts and mean an irrevocable change. "Once these courses are gone, they won't be coming back,'' said Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, whose district includes the Harding and Fleming courses.
It's rare that a city has a chance to stop, think and plan its future. As the city weighs turning over the courses to outside managers, it has just such an opportunity.
Within the next few weeks, the Board of Supervisors is due to consider a first step in the contracting process with a final decision likely next year. That should give the city time to ponder all the options before signing off on lengthy leases to run the golf courses.