HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2026 Item 7a, DeLaby
Jim DeLaby <jamesdelaby@icloud.com>
Sent:Tuesday, January
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Laguna Lake Golf Course Study Session - February 3, 2026 - Agenda Item #7
I am writing to express my strong support for preserving and reinvesting in Laguna Lake Municipal Golf
Course.
For the past 2½ to 3 years, I have actively taught beginning college students at Laguna Lake. Each
semester I work with approximately 50 students, and over eight semesters, that represents hundreds
of young adults who have been introduced to golf — many for the very first time — at this facility.
Laguna Lake is not just a golf course; it is one of the few truly accessible entry points into the game and
into outdoor recreation in San Luis Obispo. Its affordability, walkability, and welcoming environment
make it uniquely suited for beginners, students, seniors, families, and community programs. There is no
comparable alternative that could absorb or replace this role if the course were lost.
From an educational standpoint, Laguna Lake provides something essential: a low-pressure, real-
world learning environment where students can develop skills, confidence, wellness habits, and a
lifelong connection to outdoor activity. This kind of access simply does not exist at private facilities or
higher-cost venues.
I strongly support the vision of keeping Laguna Lake intact as a municipal golf course, while
exploring golf-centric enhancements such as improved practice areas, youth and beginner programs,
and multi-use community spaces that increase both participation and financial sustainability.
Reinvestment — not repurposing away from golf — is the path that preserves public value while
strengthening revenue and community impact.
Because I am unable to attend the February 3 study session in person, I wanted to ensure my voice and
experience were included in the record. Laguna Lake is a community jewel, an educational resource,
and a green space that serves residents across ages, backgrounds, and income levels.
Thank you for your consideration and for protecting a public asset that continues to shape lives,
students, and community well-being.
Respectfully,
Jim DeLaby
PGA Golf Professional
Beginner Instructor, Cal Poly SLO
@ Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course
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