Yorba Linda’s city-owned Black Gold Golf Club – now just a year shy of its 25th anniversary – posted the highest total income in the club’s history for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Revenues from operations at the 219-acre facility, including golf fees and food and beverage sales, topped $11 million, noted a report prepared for the City Council this month by General Manager Rich Cessna from KemperSports, which runs the club for the city.

Expenses totaled $10.3 million for the year, including an annual $250,000 loan repayment to the city. The $714,774 net income will be divided between the club capital reserve fund ($509,703) and needed heating, ventilation and air conditioning repairs ($205,071).

Replacement of the HVAC system was completed in 2021, but, Cessna said, the new system has not been functioning properly the past few years. After review, “it was determined that the duct system is not working efficiently and needs to be replaced.”

A repair estimate from a mechanical engineer proved to be too low, and the lowest bid for replacement received was $178,323. With a 15% contingency, the total $205,071 needed will come from last year’s net income, according to Cessna’s report.

“Without completing this work, the HVAC system will continue to function incorrectly and impact (food and beverage) operations, especially banquets, due to the inability to cool the facility on hot days,” Cessna reported to council members.

The $509,703 transfer to the reserve fund brings the fund’s total to about $1.8 million. Other totals: A 1% increase in golf rounds to 63,332; a bit over $5.7 million in green fees; $91 in average dollars per round, up from $86; and more than $1 million in tournament revenues.

Also, a solar canopy project has closed the driving range and a portion of the parking lot, and a $2.5 million storm drain repair project near the 10th hole has been approved by the council.

The course and clubhouse “will require significant repairs and upgrades in the future,” Cessna said. He cited plumbing needs and noted that potential projects “could include expansion and improvements to the restaurant patio and upgrades to the driving range to add ball flight trackers and lounge areas.

Notably, Black Gold has won Best Golf Course in public voting in The Orange County Register’s Best of OC for the past three years. And the course is the host facility for the boys and girls golf teams at Yorba Linda, Esperanza, El Dorado and Orange Lutheran high schools and Cal State Fullerton.

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The Hills for Everyone and Protect Our Homes and Hills groups are sponsoring a Fire Safe Council. The groups are hosting a Zoom meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. Visit either group’s website for information.

Ten-year funding exists to create the council and develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan through a settlement with past owners of the Cielo Vista development.

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.