It looks like the Monterey Peninsula Foundation could be in the golf course management business by the end of the summer.
The Salinas City Council has given a preliminary approval on a 20-year lease of Twin Creeks Golf Course to the Foundation, which is to operate the city-owned facility as the home for The First Tee of Monterey County, a youth golf and education program on the site.
But don't hold your breath. Nothing is final until it's final. While this seems like an obvious no-brainer -- Twin Creeks is within a mile of seven schools and all the kids who could make the most of the program -- until the process clears all the legal hurdles and public opposition (isn't there always some?), the deal could still fall apart.
"I know we are going to work it out," said Bruce Lewis, the director of golf operations for the city and a supporter of The First Tee. "This is an ideal situation. It's not like this is somebody who is taking our golf course away."
Indeed, The First Tee might just save golf in Salinas; if nothing else, improve it.
The city is financially strapped in its struggle to maintain its two golf courses -- Twin Creeks and the 18-hole Salinas Fairways. By having the Foundation take over Twin Creeks -- its executive-length nine-hole course, range and clubhouse -- the city can cut its losses. It appears the lease would be a welcome relief.
"They didn't kick our door down. Our door was open," Lewis said of the city being in the market for a golf management company to operate one or both of the courses. "We didn't know if anybody was interested."
On the other side of the deal, the Foundation needs a facility. The sooner, the better.
Since 2000 the Foundation has worked hard to secure acreage in Seaside, on former Fort Ord property across the street from Bayonet and Black Horse, to build an 18-hole youth course and clubhouse that would include an educational center for The First Tee of Monterey County. The Foundation would also move its offices to the site.
While that plan has not been terminated -- the Foundation, City of Seaside and U.S. Army are still working toward making it happen, eventually -- the process has run into numerous delays and some nasty public opposition.
The First Tee is a national program that aims to provide affordable and accessible golf to kids -- who don't pay a dime if they can't afford it -- as well as educational assistance and youth mentoring. The Monterey County chapter is to be operated through The Future Citizens Foundation, a branch of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
There are First Tee sites around the nation, with newer sites opening at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, as well as in Modesto and Sacramento.
Thursday at 7 p.m., The First Tee is to make a public presentation at Twin Creeks. Nutt will explain to the community what the objectives are, and what The First Tee would mean to the neighborhoods.
The irony is that while The First Tee of Monterey County is not yet in operation, the Foundation is hosting the most visible event connected with the national program: The First Tee Open, a $2 million Champions Tour event Aug. 30-Sept. 5 at Bayonet and Pebble Beach. The event has drawn raves from the senior pro golfers -- Arnold Palmer is even planning to play -- and has a national television contract.
Through the tournament, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation hopes to raise $1 million for The First Tee of Monterey County. But, as of the moment, The First Tee of Monterey County exists only on paper. And everyone involved with the program would desperately like to have something going by Aug. 30.
Taking over Twin Creeks -- a process that could be completed by the end of August -- is a good solution. For both sides.
"We need money. They have money," Lewis said. "They need a facility. We have a facility."
Now, they just have to get it the deal done. Lawyers from both sides are looking at the documents and Ollie Nutt, the executive vice president of the Foundation -- and driving force behind the local First Tee project -- said it's possible an official agreement could be in place before The First Tee Open.
"Here we are having this tournament for The First Tee," he said, "it would be nice to have one locally."
Because of the time it takes to set up a staff for operations, it's not probable The First Tee of Monterey County could be up and running at Twin Creeks by the end of August. But not impossible.
"We have not ruled it out," Nutt said.
Just having an agreement signed and sealed by then would be satisfying enough. And if things come together, Nutt said that during the First Tee Open week, there could be a special ceremony and pro exhibition planned for Twin Creeks.
But that is still eight weeks away. A lot can happen. And usually does.
Source: Monterey County Herald