Pacifica's Sharp Park golf course may soon see its last birdie. Although, the park's frogs will probably be safe for a long time to come.
In a 6-5 decision earlier this week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted in favor of Supervisor John Avalos's ordinance mandating the city's Recreation and Parks Department turn over management of the 18-hole, 417 acre golf course it has operated for nearly 80 years to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area--an arm of the National Park Service.
The feds apparently have little interest in managing the golf course and, as a result, Sharp Park could soon close.
Despite sitting well south of the city limits, San Francisco has operated the Sharp Park course since 1932.
There are two issues with the course that led Avalos to propose a measure getting rid of it. First, Sharp Park has long been a money-loser--it cost the city $1.2 million over the past five years. Second, there's a lawsuit filed by a coalition of environmental groups looking to shut down the course in an effort to protect a number of threatened species, including the endangered California Red-Legged Frog.
Mayor Ed Lee said during a recent appearance at a monthly, voter-mandated "question time" before the Board of Supervisors that he would likely veto the measure unless it is amended to allow the city to negotiate with other municipalities, like San Mateo County, to take over operation.
Officials in Pacifica are hungry to gain control of the course and have it remain in open. Golf Digest reports that Congresswoman Jackie Spier, whose district encompasses the southwestern portion of San Francisco and much of the South Bay, wrote a letter to Lee in October saying that there are, "negotiations that may result in golf course revenues and philanthropic contributions being able to restore the habitat of the threatened [California red-legged] frog and endangered [San Francisco garter] snake."
Lee also boasted of the park's success in managing the two species, as evidenced by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston's recent ruling to deny an injunction that would have stopped maintenance activity at the course until the suit goes to trial next summer. Bay City News reports:
The environmental groups allege that those activities cause harm to the San Francisco garter snake, an endangered species, and the California red-legged frog, a threatened species, but U.S. District Judge Susan Illston's ruling two weeks ago cited data showing that the frog population has actually increased in the area in the past 20 years.
Lee said the judge's ruling shows "we're doing a good job" balancing the activity on the course with environmental concerns.
According to a memo sent to Recreation and Parks Department chief Phil Ginsburg by a U.C. Berkeley student group, attendance at Sharp Park has dropped precipitously in recent years. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of golfers using the course has decreased by 38 percent.
Like Lee, Ginsburg opposes the Board's plan to stop operating the park.
Even so, Sharp Park remains one of the most economical places to play golf in the Bay Area and has long been a staple for San Francisco's less affluent golf enthusiasts.
Lee is himself a golfer but, allegedly, not a very good one. According to former Mayor Willie Brown, Lee's ultimate decision to run for a full term as mayor came down to a golf bet Lee made with his brother. His brother won and Lee threw his hat in the ring.
The rest, as they say, is history.