While the city could benefit if the course revenue increased, the Chico, Calif., municipal course’s representatives argued, the major benefit of allowing alcohol would be attracting more players and more group events. Empire Golf, which manages to course, estimated that play would increase about 15 percent, meaning more revenue that would be reinvested in course improvements.
The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission has decided to recommend allowing alcohol at Bidwell Park Golf Course in Chico, Calif., the Chico Enterprise-Record reported.
On October 28, commissioners listened to a request from Empire Golf, which manages the course for the nonprofit Bidwell Park Golf Club. The club leases the course from the city. The club asked the city for an exemption to the rule that forbids alcohol in Bidwell Park, saying other Chico courses had a competitive advantage over the municipal course because they could serve drinks, the Enterprise-Record reported.
While the city could benefit slightly if the course revenue increased, it would be the ability of the course to attract more players and more group events that would be the boon, club representatives said.
Rod Metzler of Empire Golf estimated that play would increase about 15 percent with the change, which means more revenue for the nonprofit club. That additional revenue would be reinvested in course improvements, he said, noting that the course has lost players and revenue over the years, the Enterprise-Record reported.
The club’s request took heat from park commissioners and the public. Several speakers mentioned Bidwell Park founder Annie Bidwell’s deed, which forbids the manufacturing and sale of liquor in Bidwell Park, but park commissioners noted that her deed restriction was no longer legally valid, the Enterprise-Record reported.
Allowing alcohol to be sold and served at the course would allow tighter restrictions on it, Metzler noted, adding that golfers often bring their own liquor to the course, and there isn’t much motivation to stop them, the Enterprise-Record reported.
However, commissioners noted Empire would be motivated to prohibit that practice in order to protect its liquor license, the Enterprise-Record reported.
Commissioners struggled with questions such as would allowing alcohol at the course increase alcohol problems elsewhere in the park, put park users in jeopardy, or cause enforcement issues for park rangers, the Enterprise-Record reported.
Commissioners noted that park rules about liquor have changed over the years. Before the mid-90s, alcohol was allowed in the park, but a move by the Park Commission clamped down on drinking. The restrictions were made park-wide through encouragement by the police, who said it would be easier to enforce with a total ban, the Enterprise-Record reported.
Park and Natural Resources Manager Dan Efseaff said that employee training at the club would be a deterrent to problems at the course and elsewhere in the park. Employee training was one of the conditions added by the Park Commission. Other conditions included serving only from dawn to one hour after dusk except for special events; no offsite sales; and no glass outside at the course, the Enterprise-Record reported.
The Park Commission recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for the final decision. The course still has to apply for a state liquor license, the Enterprise-Record reported.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.