City Takes a Swing at Improving The Crossings Golf Course

would like more golfers to take a swing at its own . The course has been a financial liability for Carlsbad.

In November 2010, the Parks and Recreation department commissioned a third-party operational assessment of the course. The assessment showed that people were eating at the course restaurant and the operating company, Kemper Sports, was doing a good job of managing the course. The assessment found other areas needed improvement.

Park Development Manager Mark Steyaert addressed the City Council Tuesday evening on two key problems: the difficulty of the course and the lack of a dedicated casual gathering place for golfers to go before and after their game. He said that Kemper Sports consulted with a third-party golf course architect to study the course for playability. Ten of the holes were found to need improvement; however, high costs and negative environmental impact made those improvements impractical.

Instead, Kemper and the Parks and Recreation staff prioritized three holes for improvement. Surveys and focus groups came to the same conclusions. The 18th hole in particular was in need of improvement, Steyaert said, “Because this is the last hole, the players sometimes go away frustrated, and it could prevent them from coming back.”

Extensive grading needs to be done on holes 10 and 15 to make the fairway more even. 

Steyaert explained that a new players lounge is needed because the clubhouse is often used for private events, which leaves players without a place to go and relax after their game. He said a new clubhouse would “build a sense of camaraderie and loyalty to the course.”  

Parks and Recreation Director Chris Hazeltine recommended taking the golf course capital reserve and allocating $80,000 to the reconstruction of the 18th hole, and $12,000 to converting the course’s boardroom into a player’s lounge. 

Councilwoman Farrah Douglas said she did not think the boardroom was a suitable or attractive location for the player’s lounge. Its lack of windows and proximity to the kitchen would make it hot and noisy, she said.

Douglas suggested looking at the pro shop as an alternative.

“It’s the most logical place if you want to pamper your golfers, so they leave feeling that they have enjoyed themselves,” she said.

Steyaert said a consultation with an architect would be needed to explore that option, and would take about three months.

Douglas moved to have the 18th hole reconstruction approved, and have the player’s lounge options discussed further in a workshop. The council unanimously approved the motion.