Seattle Parks and Recreation Launches Request for Proposals for a Golf Management Firm

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is launching a comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFP) to select and onboard a Seattle Municipal Golf Course management firm. Please visit Request for Proposal: Seattle Golf Course Manager - Parks | seattle.gov. The RFP released today, July 1, 2024 will close on August 9, 2024. SPR's intention is to select a management firm by the end of 2024, pending legislative approval.

The Golf Course management firm will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of SPR's four municipal golf courses, including driving ranges, pro-shops, clubhouses, and restaurants operations, and some landscape maintenance at the sites. The successful bidder will also demonstrate experience and skill in helping to promote municipal golf courses as city resources - including introducing city residents to the game of golf, building community around the golf courses, and promoting open access to these city resources and growing revenue.

The intent is to select an operator that will commit to excellence in customer service and in all aspects of golf course operations and management, grow revenues, be a supportive partner to SPR in the maintenance and improvement of facilities, ensure the golf courses are seen as good neighbors and accessible spaces for all visitors, and act as a responsible manager of funds and data.

SPR is also interested in selecting an operator with experience growing the use of and engagement with golf courses citywide. This includes experience promoting golf course use and events with communities who have never played golf before, making the golf environment welcoming to people with disabilities, and/or managing limited non-golf activities at courses (e.g. movie nights, walking paths, etc.). SPR wants our golf courses to continue to be treasured resources for the local golf community, good neighbors to those who live around the courses, and places of connection and gathering for people with little to no experience with golf.

SPR's priorities for this RFP are to achieve the following:

• Increase access to and interest in golf by all city residents and visitors, including families, youth ages 13-17, and frontline communities (see definition in Section 6 of the RFP).
• Ensure strong systems and policies to support the sustainable financial health of Seattle golf facilities, including systems for financial performance management, data privacy, and fiscal reporting.
• Commit to excellence in customer service in all aspects of golf course operations and management.
• Provide opportunities for innovative programming at golf facilities, including:
  • Attracting new golf revenue generation opportunities (e.g. public events, tournaments, etc.)
  • Exploring appropriate non-golf activities (e.g. walking paths, post-sunset activities, trivia nights, etc.)
  • Developing robust programming collaboration within SPR business units (e.g. with community centers, youth programs, etc.)
  • Supporting practices that showcase the golf facilities as a "good neighbor" for residents who live, work, and visit the area around the golf courses.
• Create a strong working relationship with SPR to implement necessary capital construction projects and golf facility improvements based on user-feedback and staff expertise.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Garner at [email protected] or 206-619-9725.