San Diego Golf | Guide for San Diego Golf Courses

The U.S. Open golf tournament gave San Diego national exposure and attracted thousands of visitors to San Diego. It also cost millions in public money to prepare. Most of it was covered by fees golfers pay to use the city’s courses.

Calculating revenue and expenses related to such an event is complicated. For its analysis, the Union-Tribune had to use some rudimentary comparisons of year-over-year revenue, as well as rough estimates of costs by city staffers.

CITY EXPENSES/LOSSES

Torrey Pines Golf Course improvements

• South Course improvements: $2,431,244
• Reimbursement to Friends of Torrey Pines: $950,000
• New parking lot*: $3,270,000
• Clubhouse maintenance*: $520,438
• Storage facility for maintenance equipment (half the project cost attributed to the Open)*: $320,000
• Improvements to concession stand and restrooms*: $175,467
• New facility to wash mowing and other equipment (half the cost attributed to the Open)*: $60,000
• Storage bins and area to mix sand and seeds. (half the cost attributed to the Open)*: $60,000

U.S. Open event and staffing expenses

• Police and fire-rescue overtime: $914,385
• Golf Operations, Qualcomm Stadium and Development Services expenses: $98,705
• Community and media relations consultant: $19,734
• Park and Recreation maintenance staff overtime : $3,851

Lost revenue

Difference in the revenue generated by Torrey Pines Golf Course between February and August 2007 and the same period in 2008. The city closed both courses at times before and after the event. $1,876,333

Total: $10,700,157

CITY REVENUES

From Friends of Torrey Pines

• South Course renovation: $3,275,000
• Additional course improvements: $428,253
• Reimbursement for police and security: $350,000
• Practice tee construction: $279,064
• Rent payment: $250,000
• Gift to Balboa Park Golf Course: $218,000

From the United States Golf Association

• Reimbursement for police and security: $357,565
• Reimbursement for electricity and damages fromQualcomm Stadium parking: $16,656
• Reimbursement for city inspections of staging areas: $15,603

Additional revenue

• Estimated hotel and sales taxes: $3,170,822
• Difference in rent revenue during June 2007 and June 2008 from The Lodge at Torrey Pines and Torrey Pines Hilton: $180,000
• Increased rent revenue from Torrey Pines Golf Shop, which was selling U.S. Open merchandise (2002-08): $500,000
• Qualcomm Stadium storage income: $3,000

Total: $9,043,963

*City officials said these projects were part of a long term capital improvement program for the course. They estimated some costs could be attributed to the Open because the equipment and facilities were needed and used in the competition. Work was completed before the tournament.
Sources: City of San Diego; Friends of Torrey Pines

Source: SignonSanDiego.com