Monarch Bay Golf Club Receives a Makeover

Provided by the City of San Leandro

Mayor Stephen Cassidy and the San Leandro City Council are pleased to announce that major renovations have been completed at the Monarch Bay Golf Club driving range, located at 13800 Monarch Bay Drive near the San Leandro Marina.

Renovations include a replacement of over 250,000 square feet of synthetic turf with new salt-tolerant natural sod, a new irrigation system, seven target greens, and various other new range amenities. This work comes on the heels of several other recent projects in the surrounding area, including the renovations of the Marina Park group picnic areas and the replacement of the Marina Park irrigation system.  

"The City of San Leandro is excited to announce the completion of these major investments in our golf course and surrounding marina area", stated Mayor Cassidy. "These projects represent part of a concerted effort to provide quality outdoor recreation opportunities in San Leandro."

Historically, the 250,000 square foot driving range landing area was made of dirt, as grass could not grow in that area due to high salinity levels in the soil and water.  In 1999, as part of a $9 million renovation of the entire Monarch Bay Golf Club by American Golf Corporation, synthetic turf replaced the driving range dirt.  After 14 years, the synthetic turf became worn out and needed to be replaced. With completion of this project, the range landing area will never need to be replaced again because the new paspalum strain of sod thrives in the unusual growing conditions at Monarch Bay.  Also included in the range renovation are a new irrigation system (tied into the City's reclaimed water system), seven target greens and a host of other new range amenities.  As a result of these features, the projects also will serve to minimize the golf facility's use of fresh water.  Renovations began in mid-August and the range will reopen to the public on Sunday, October 6.

American Golf Corporation has operated Monarch Bay Golf Club for the City since 1997.

Included in the operating agreement is the establishment of a capital improvement fund, which is to be used to refurbish and improve the golf facility in future years. Past capital improvement projects at the facility include two pump station upgrades and the refurbishment of the two-story driving range structure. The price tag for these projects, including the current range renovation, is approximately $800,000.  The other surrounding improvements to the Marina Park picnic areas and the Monarch Bay irrigation system were completed using $1,778,000 in Measure WW funding, the East Bay Regional Parks District bond measure that was authorized by voters in 2008.

"Monarch Bay is considered one of the best public/private partnerships in the United States for the operation of golf facilities. Since 1997, American Golf and the City of San Leandro collectively have invested over $10,000,000 in improvements to this picturesque facility located along San Francisco Bay, making it one of the Bay Area's best municipal courses", stated Vice-Mayor Jim Prola, whose district encompasses the driving range, 9-hole course and the north half of the Tony Lema course. 

"These golf facilities also have produced a profit for the City since 1997, which has enabled us to maintain affordable pricing, particularly for San Leandro residents" added Public Works Director Debbie Pollart.