Results of Golf Course Poll: City Should Lower CourseCo's Rent

The day after City Manager Gabe Gonzalez agreed to talk with the private golf management company, CourseCo, about re-negotiating their lease with the city, Rohnert Park Patch asked readers .

Forty-one people weighed in on our poll — 53 percent of readers (22 votes) said the city should lower CourseCo's rent fees because Foxtail's courses add to the character of the city. Twenty-six percent said no, the city is in hard economic times, and golf course managers should pay up. Seventeen percent of readers went further, suggesting the city look at other uses for golf course.

One reader said that "as a non-golfer, I have no love for golf courses, or the chemicals needed to keep them green and bug-free. But I appreciate them as open green spaces. If the city lowers the rent, isn't that essentially a subsidy from Rohnert Park to golfers?"

Another reader suggested splitting the golf course into part golf course, part dog park.

Michael Jacobvitz, of Rohnert Park, said in a letter to Gonzalez, that he supports the city's effort to renegoitate CourseCo's lease.

"I think the city should rent the courses for free and make a profit-sharing arrangement," Jacobvitz said. "It is a win-win, as the city would not have to spend money on course expenses or marketing and would reap income as the courses generate revenue and profits."

CourseCo that the $175,000 annual rent is unsustainable. The company also owes Rohnert Park $160,000 in back rent and loan payments.