HomeMy WebLinkAboutLiz_Public Comment – Request for Accountability and Proper Management of Shandin Hills Golf ClubFrom:Liz
To:PublicComments
Subject:Public Comment – Request for Accountability and Proper Management of Shandin Hills Golf Club
Date:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 2:42:53 PM
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Dear Mayor and Members of the San Bernardino City Council,
I am writing as a San Bernardino community member and parent who cares deeply about the
condition of our public spaces and, particularly, the future of Shandin Hills Golf Club.
Shandin Hills is more than a golf course. It is a City-owned public facility and an important
community resource, particularly for young people who have few positive recreational
opportunities available to them.
I am concerned about the current management of Shandin Hills and the deterioration I have
witnessed in the condition of the course and surrounding property. My concern is especially
significant because management fees continue to be paid while the condition of the property
appears to have declined.
I respectfully ask the City to review whether the current management arrangement is
providing the City and its residents with the level of maintenance, care, and value required
under the management agreement. If public funds are being paid for management and
maintenance services, our community deserves transparency regarding what services are
required, what is actually being provided, and how the City is holding the operator
accountable.
What makes this particularly concerning to me is the apparent contrast between Shandin Hills
and another golf facility approximately ten minutes away that is associated with the current
management operation. I would like the City to examine whether there are differences in
maintenance standards, resources, staffing, or investment between the two facilities and
whether Shandin Hills is receiving the level of care contemplated by its agreement with the
City.
The youth and community impact are especially important to me.
In 2022, Sixtyone Golf came to my daughter's school and introduced students to golf. I was
subsequently invited to Shandin Hills, and at that time I remember the course being well
maintained and presenting itself as a facility that our community could be proud of.
Today, Sixtyone continues to provide youth programming in San Bernardino, with multiple
sessions throughout the week. Their continued presence demonstrates that there is an
organization actively investing in our community and encouraging young people to participate
in a positive and constructive activity.
The recent fundraiser this summer, in which Sixtyone Golf was an active participant, was
another powerful demonstration of the community's support and enthusiasm for this program.
The outpouring of support showed that there are families, community members and
organizations who genuinely value having these opportunities available to San Bernardino's
youth.That matters because our children need safe, structured and constructive places to spend
their time. I think Sixtyone's presence in the fundraiser is a reflection of the founder, Larry
Shackelford's support of the community and continued commitment to support the youth. In
addition, he has a wonderful team of coaches who demonstrate the same commitment with
several of them continuing to show up for our youth school year after school year. The
community, the youth, and Sixtyone Golf needs your help to maintain these facilities not only
today, but for future generations.
Many parks and recreational areas in our community are struggling with maintenance and, in
some cases, have become difficult for families to use because of homelessness and other
conditions. That makes a functioning public golf facility even more valuable—not less.
We have an organization like Sixtyone continuing to invest its time and energy into San
Bernardino youth, providing opportunities multiple times a week and encouraging discipline,
responsibility, mentorship and participation in a positive activity. We should be supporting
that investment in our youth by making sure the public facility they depend on is properly
maintained.
I am therefore asking the City Council to:
Review the current management agreement and its maintenance and performance
requirements.
Determine whether the current operator is meeting those contractual obligations.
Review the management fees being paid and whether the City is receiving reasonable value
for those expenditures.
Review the current condition of the golf course and surrounding property compared with the
condition when the current management arrangement began.
Examine the apparent differences in maintenance between Shandin Hills and other golf
facilities operated or managed by the same interests.
Review how the current condition of Shandin Hills affects youth programs such as Sixtyone,
local high schools that use the facilities for their golf teams, and the families who participate
in them.
Recognize the demonstrated community support for youth golf programming and consider
how the City can protect and strengthen these opportunities.
Provide the public with greater transparency regarding maintenance expectations,
expenditures, performance, and accountability under the current agreement.
I am not asking the City to simply take my word for the condition of the property. I am asking
the City to investigate the facts, review the contract, review the expenditures, and hold the
management operation accountable to the standards expected of a public facility.
Shandin Hills has the potential to be an important community asset and a place where San
Bernardino's youth can learn, participate, build relationships and develop positive skills. The
community has demonstrated that it wants these opportunities. We should make sure the
facility supporting them reflects that same commitment.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bassin
San Bernardino, CA