Written Communications
PRC Special Meeting
July 14, 2022
Written Communications
From:Nick Bailey - General Manager
To:City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission
Subject:Parks & Rec. Meeting Tomorrow
Date:Wednesday, July 13, 2022 3:58:02 PM
Attachments:image002.png
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Hi,
I’m planning on speaking at tomorrows meeting regarding the pending closure of the survey and potential closure of the golf course. If there is a way to post this picture up
at some point that would be much appreciated. We hosted the “Friends of Blackberry Farms” tournament on July 3rd at Blackberry Farms and had 54 players with lots of
juniors participating in the event who would otherwise not have an opportunity to play golf at such a young age.
I have registered which I believe is all I need to do to be called upon, but please let me know if there is anything else needed prior to.
Thank you,
Nick Bailey
General Manager
Vice President, NCPGA
Lake Merced Golf Club
2300 Junipero Serra Blvd.
Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: 650-301-4162
Email: nbailey@lmgc.org
www.lmgc.org
From:Liang Chao
To:Judy Lomas
Cc:City of Cupertino Parks and Recreation Commission; City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Re: Blackberry Farm Golf Course
Date:Wednesday, July 13, 2022 10:11:18 PM
Judy,
I see that your email was not sent to the Parks and Rec Commission and the Planning
Commission. I have cc’d them here.
Liang
Liang Chao
Vice Mayor
City Council
LiangChao@cupertino.org
408-777-3192
From: Judy Lomas <jhplomas@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 5:49 PM
To: Parks and Recreation; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City of Cupertino Planning Dept.;
City Council
Subject: Blackberry Farm Golf Course
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
I attended the Open House yesterday and feel the need to share my feelings,knowledge and a bit of insight.
First, it is my family that developed the picnic area starting in the early 1950's and
took out the orchard and developed the golf course in 1962. We ran both these
facilities until April of 1991 when the sale to the City closed. Blackberry Farm PicnicArea and Golf Course were run as money-making businesses. My name is one ofthose whose signature is on the paperwork selling to the City. At that time I was oneof the managers for the picnic area and golf course. I was also the bookkeeper forthe corporation and know very well that we made money each and every year.
Yesterday, from the information shared, it appears that the City is not interested in
making any money, only in spending it to destroy the golf course which takes away
from seniors and younger children who are not able to go to Deep Cliff and play an
18 hole course.
Changing it to a "natural habitat". . .there are plenty of natural habitat areas andwalking trails and far fewer golf courses, WHICH CAN MAKE MONEY WITHOUTHAVING A HUGE BANQUET FACILITY. After running that course for 29 years, Iknow for a fact that it is possible to do so. Staff's comment to the contrary is totallywrong!
At the meeting many people made the comment that the green fees are $7-$8 below
green fees at comparable courses. The staff response to that was that they had not
been increased for years as the City was trying to determine what to do with the golf
course. This makes no sense to me. . .I am a common sense person. . .raise thegreen fees to keep pace with the increase in P. G. & E., fertilizer and everything thecourse needs to be sustainable. Additionally, a pro shop typically sells more thansoda and chips.
The picnic area also made money, however, you have chosen to "give away" the
money, removed beautiful barbecue areas, which cost money to remove, and
replaced them with what look like concrete tubs. This was a huge mistake in my
mind and in the minds of many others as well! The "weed-looking" things you have
planted in the parking area are ridiculous and ugly.
Further, you stated that the water "storage tank" failed and now you use municipalwater. I would have to question what failed, is there still water in that well, can it bereactivated instead of just paying for municipal water. We used to pay a pump taxwhich was much less pricey that paying for municipal water.
The City has done a great job of redoing and keeping up the pools. That is a positive
for sure, just too bad the rest of the picnic area has not been dealt with in a positive
way as well.
The restaurant portion of the building also makes money from being leased out.
Bottom line. . .the golf course gives the people of Cupertino and surrounding areas arecreational area that is used and could be profitable with new management.
Spending millions of dollars to tear it all out and plant more ugly weed-looking plants
is not a smart or sensible or common sense usage of this amazing property. Also
from a common sense standpoint, your estimated 25-year costs are $12.10 million for
a "natural habitat" and $10.09 million for the golf course. I do not see the logic isspending money for a natural habitat which is going to continue to cost more than agolf course.
I truly hope that the City will use some common sense and listen to the people. Ialso hope that it would decide to run the golf course and picnic area as a businesswhich would financially help the City in the long run.
Judy Lomas