Today's Depressing Golf Anecdote: Pacific Grove In The Red

Kera Abraham reports on Pacific Grove muni, an affordable, fun, popular and scenic alternative to the 17-Mile Drive courses, bleeding red ink last year.

P.G. Municipal Golf Links lost more than $413,000 last fiscal year, including a $70,000 loss from golf clubhouse eatery Point Pinos Grill, drawing the Golf Fund reserves down to $143,000. In the long term, the $3 million golf budget is looking at a $300,000 annual gap based on the current market.


“None of this was disclosed to us,” Garcia says. “We’re not happy with the way staff failed to inform us.”

Deputy City Manager Jim Becklenberg blames the economy: “Our golf course has finally seen the effects of the recession, like many other golf courses in the area.”


The council hired Colorado firm Golf Convergence to study the Links’ operations and find ways to improve its bottom line. The report, which will cost the city almost $25,000, is expected in December.