Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the City to enter into an agreement with Michael and Jocelyn Keiser and the Madison Parks Foundation for a donation of improvements to the Odana Hills Golf Course, and to enter into an agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation to construct the privately funded improvements. The estimated value of the donated project planning, design, and construction is approximately $5,000,000. There is added value in the donation in having an accomplished golf course developer lead the work of design and construction. The City would accept ownership of the improvements at the completion of the project.
The Odana Hills Golf Course would close either fully or partially at the end of the 2026 season, remain closed while this work is completed through the 2027 season and reopen during the summer of 2028. No significant revenue losses are anticipated in 2026, as Monona Golf Course and The Glen Golf Park will operate later into the season. The Golf Enterprise Program would have effectively 36 holes of golf in operation in 2027 and early 2028, compared to 72 holes in 2025 and 54 holes for the majority of 2026. The closure will negatively impact net income for the Golf Program the during the project. The Parks Division anticipates a net operating loss of approximately $1M over the 2027 and 2028 seasons. The Golf Enterprise Fund has available reserves to accommodate this lost revenue during the reinvestment project. The Parks Division projects a return to a positive operating net income in 2029 and moving forward with a target operating net target margin of 7% annually. The Division will accommodate the project within its 2027 Operating Budget request.
The proposed Golf Course Improvement project completed under this agreement will be entirely funded through private donations. No additional appropriations are requested.
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Donation and Improvement Agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation and Michael and Jocelyn Keiser, and a Developer’s Agreement for the Donation and Construction of Public Improvements with the Madison Parks Foundation for the Privately Funded Improvement of Odana Hills Golf Course (District 11)
Body
WHEREAS, the Odana Hills Golf Course first opened for play in 1955. While consistently popular and profitable, and the Golf Enterprise Program’s highest performing course, the course has deferred capital needs that have not been addressed for decades; and,
WHEREAS, by Resolution-19-00456 (Legislative File 56004), adopted June 18, 2019, the Task Force on Municipal Golf in Madison Parks (the “Task Force”) was created by the City of Madison Common Council to make recommendations regarding the future of municipal golf in Madison; and,
WHEREAS, the Task Force reviewed the current operational model for the Golf Enterprise, including course utilization, current operations, staffing, capital infrastructure, and financial performance of the courses; and,
WHEREAS, the Task Force received substantial feedback and input from the community through surveys, focus groups, two town hall type meetings, and direct testimony (both written and verbal); and,
WHEREAS, following its work, the Task Force issued a final report (the “Report”). The Report contains recommendations regarding continuing to offer municipal golf, removing the enterprise fund designation, updating the mission, closure of holes and seeking alternative operating models for specific courses, enhancing integrated pest management practices, increasing environmental sustainability, promoting equity and inclusion, increasing utilization of courses for non-golf purposes, responsible capital investment and refraining from selling land; and,
WHEREAS, following the acceptance of the Report and recommendations by the Common Council on January 5, 2021 (RES-21-00007, Legislative File 61936), the City was approached by the Madison Parks Foundation (the “Foundation”) regarding a potential donation at Glenway Golf Course that would promote many of the recommendations from the Task Force; and,
WHEREAS, Michael and Jocelyn Keiser (the “Donors”) are Madison residents and Michael is a renowned golf course developer, leading the development of the world-famous Sand Valley courses in central Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, in 2021 the City entered into agreements with the Foundation and the Donors to private fund the renovation and improvement of Glenway Golf Course (RES-21-00174, Legislative File 64472); and,
WHEREAS, the Glenway Golf Course improvements were completed in 2021 and exceeded all expectations. The improvements inspired additional donations to the renovation of the clubhouse and patio, along with rebranding of the course to The Glen Golf Park; and,
WHEREAS, upon The Glen reopening, rounds of golf and revenue generated from the golf park have increased by 40% and non-golf programming has increased from 0 events in 2019 to 35 events in 2025; and,
WHEREAS, following the success of The Glen Golf Park, the Donors are once again willing to donate their time and expertise and to lead private funding efforts in order to create and implement an updated Master Plan for Odana Hills to reimage municipal golf at the facility, enhancing and improving the course while making the property more inclusive and welcoming to the entire community; and,
WHEREAS, under the terms of a Cooperative Agreement entered into in 2023 (RES-23-0063, Legislative File 78401), the Foundation is the City’s official non-profit fundraising collaborator for the City’s parks and open space system. The Foundation was integral in The Glen Golf Park improvements project, is agreeable to acting as an intermediary party to effectuate the donated master plan and physical improvements to Odana Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a Donation and Improvement Agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation and Michael and Jocelyn Keiser for the Odana Hills Golf Course Improvements, on a form and in a manner that is approved by the City Attorney and the Parks Superintendent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Parks Superintendent is authorized to accept, on behalf of the City, an updated Master Plan for Odana Hills Golf Course and to approve any plans and specifications for the privately funded Golf Course improvement project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Madison Parks Foundation is authorized to construct public improvements to Odana Hills Golf Course consistent with the updated Master Plan, in accordance with the terms of the Contract for the Construction of Public Improvements that will be accepted by the City of Madison at the sole cost of the developer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a Contract for the Construction of Public Improvements that will be accepted by the City of Madison with the Madison Parks Foundation for the Odana Hills Golf Course Improvements, on a form and in a manner that is approved by the City Attorney, the Parks Superintendent and the City Engineer/
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute, deliver, and accept and record any and all documents and take such other actions as shall be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purpose of the Donation and Improvement Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.