Wine Country Times

The Ad Hoc committee for Santa Rosa’s Bennett Valley Golf Course (BVGC) has determined that the evaluation of the golf site will not be a priority amidst more pressing issues for the city. 

The BVGC will have a new operator in 2022, and as a result the enterprise is seeking an in-depth evaluation before the new leadership assumes its role. With the combination of public pressure and more immediate issues that the city must address, the BVGC staff will need to find more creative solutions to acquire the evaluations they seek.  

In an interview with current BVGC owner Bob Borowicz, he outlined some of the financial questions facing the site. One topic of contention for the evaluation is the BVGC’s potential financial self-sufficiency. 

"The biggest issue is getting a new irrigation system. We're lucky we're on wells right now. We don't draw any city water or anything like that," Borowicz said.

The irrigation system was first installed in the 1970s according to Borowicz, leaving the facilities overdue for renovations. 

Some suggestions have been made to sell the different elements of the BVGC to different private vendors, or to offer various promotional deals to increase interest for patrons. Borowicz was adamant that these options were not needed.

“I can't see the golf course being repurposed for anything other than what it is now, which is an 18 hole regulation golf course, the driving range and a restaurant," he said.

While the evaluation is still up in the air for the time being, Borowicz is confident that the golf course will draw investors.

“There's going to be a number of suitors that are very interested. Whether or not they come in with what you're looking for, the answer is I can't say for sure – but there'll be definitely a number of groups interested in taking over the golf course," Borowicz said.

With the Ad Hoc determination to halt the evaluation, Borowicz and the BVGC may need to explore alternatives to ensure a smooth transition for the next owner.