The proposed contract between the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and the Arizona Golf Association over the $8.2 million renovation of Papago Golf Course has run in to some major opposition.
         The coalition “Save Papago Golf’’ was formed a few days after the original story on the proposed restoration of the golf course that sits on the borders of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale was published in The Tribune. The coalition, which is made up primarily of members from the Papago men’s golf club but not exclusively of the PMGC, would like to see the selection process reopened because they claim it is “flawed’’ and the AGA is the wrong proposal.
         Larry McLennan and Joe Hume, both members of the PMGC, are heading the protest. McLennan said that “Save Papago Golf’’ has as many as 700 backers.
        “We’re not obstructionists,’’ McLennan said. “We know that something has to be done to the golf course (to restore it and recondition it). But we just want to get the best proposal, and we don’t think that’s been done.’’
          According to McLennan, the selection of the AGA by the city to restore/renovate Papago Golf Course falls short in three specific areas for various reasons. Those include:
          *A lack of experience/history of managing a successful golf operation by the AGA.
“Their only experience is the abysmal economic and ecological failure(s) at Villa Monterey in Scottsdale,’’ McLennan said of the former executive course that foreclosed shortly after the AGA donated it to the Junior Golf Association of Arizona.
           *The “wrong team’’ was selected. McLennan’s group thinks that Bellows Golf Management, which runs Ken McDonald and Rolling Hills in Tempe, made a more “sound’’ proposal.
            *Unrealistic financial projections by the AGA about the income that can be raised by a new Papago. McLennan’s group thinks the $115 to $130 rack rate that will be charged to out-of-town customers “with no ramp-up services’’ is not sound.
           “We just want the city to select the proposal that is the most experienced and financially stable and has reasonable projections,’’ McLennan said. “In other words, the best track record in dealing with a golf course restoration project. . . .
            “Now most people in our group didn’t know Jim Bellows a month ago, but I can tell you that the Bellows’ proposal is by far and away the best proposal – not the proposal from the AGA.’’
             Rob Harman, the acting director of the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, said the protest from “Save Papago Golf’’ has been duly noted but that the AGA proposal still is on track to be approved by the Parks and Recreation board.
          “The selection went through a very structured and extensive RFP (request for proposal) process, and the AGA came out as the No. 1 selection,’’ Harman said. “That’s how the city does business; it’s a very sound process.’’
           Harman said that all the proposals had “strengths and weaknesses,’’ but the “AGA’s vision met that of the city’s when it came to Papago.’’ Harman said that despite several meetings with “Save Papago Golf’’ that process to approve the AGA continues to go forward.
          Chris Hanks, a past president of the Papago men’s golf club, said not all of the approximately 250 members of PMGC are involved with the coalition.
         “PMGA is not fighting it; we want to see (the restoration project) work,’’ Hanks said. “At this point, we will work with the city and whoever they select to partner with. So we are 100 percent behind the renovation as long as it’s affordable for the people who live here and support the club.’’
       “Save Papago Golf’’ already has had two meetings earlier this month on the subject, and more meetings are planned, McLennan said. Ad campaigns on the radio and television also have been discussed, he said.