Los Amigos golf course under new operator

DOWNEY - Los Amigos Country Club Inc., longtime operators of Los Amigos County Golf Course in Downey, had its county contract cancelled Tuesday after it stopped making rent payments to operate the 18-hole golf facility.County officials didn't specify when Los Amigos Country Club Inc. (LACC) stopped making payments, but the county filed a 10-day "notice of default" on Aug. 29 and notified LACC on Sept. 13 of their intent to cancel its lease. Also on Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors chose Strato Partners LLC to take over the county-owned golf course's operations. The 20-year deal is expected to net the county more than $27 million over the life of the contract. The deal "ensures that the facility remains open and available to the public," said Russ Guiney, director of Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation. County officials began their search for a new golf course operator back in January. An evaluation committee composed of two department employees and two representatives "from the golfing industry" settled on Strato Patners in May.

********** Published: September 20, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 23