Committee keeps group‑play practices as golf‑operations guidelines after debate over guest access and preferred tee times

Kathy, a member of the golf committee, urged formal policy changes to group play—proposing that all groups rotate through the seven courses with no exceptions, eliminate preferred tee‑time accommodations, and ban member guests from group play.

"Group play is a privilege that ... 1,800 people have over the rest of Sun City West members," Kathy said, arguing that the current practice gives organized groups advance access to prime tee times and disadvantages non‑group residents.

Pat O'Hara and other staff explained existing monitoring and enforcement steps. Pat said his data‑entry process requires groups to submit names and rec numbers seven days in advance and asked for names five days ahead; in a sample of 710 group rounds staff found 16 guest rounds (about 2.5%), which he said demonstrates monitoring and low guest usage. "When a group gets out of line, we call it to their attention," Pat said.

Committee discussion weighed member access and the administrative burden of formal policies. Several committee members argued that two of Kathy's suggested practices (rotation through courses and limits on preferred times) are already enforced in practice. The committee rejected an outright ban on member guests, keeping the 10% guest rule and directing golf operations to continue monitoring and enforcement. Members also agreed the rotation and other items will remain golf‑operations guidelines rather than be elevated to governing‑board policy.

The committee did not adopt a formal policy change at the meeting; staff agreed to continue monitoring guest percentages, tee‑time enforcement and to report back if abuses are found.