LA County will now also implement a new policy requiring deposits for tee time reservations, aiming to prevent the resale of tee times by Korean brokers.
Starting August 1, LA County will implement the new policy at its 18 golf courses. This follows a similar policy enacted by the City of LA in April.
The LA County Board of Supervisors approved the policy on June 25, mandating a non-refundable $10 deposit per person for tee time reservations. Additionally, cancellations within 48 hours of the reserved time will incur a $10 penalty per person.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who proposed the policy, stated that concerns about tee time brokers have been repeatedly raised by numerous golfers. She added that the unequal access to reservations caused by brokers necessitated this deposit policy to eliminate such practices.
LA County operates 18 golf courses, including popular spots frequented by Korean golfers such as Lakewood, Los Verdes, Marshall Canyon, Mountain Meadows, and La Mirada.
Under the new policy, if a green fee is $300 for four people, a $40 deposit is required upon reservation. If the group fails to show up or cancels within 48 hours, a penalty of $10 per person will be applied, resulting in a total penalty of $80 if all four people fail to show.
Korean golfers affiliated with golf clubs in Southern California have already filed a class-action lawsuit against the City of LA for not addressing broker activities.
“Many Korean golfers have continuously voiced their concerns to the county about broker activities at county-operated golf courses,” said Joseph Lee, president of the SoCal Dream Golf Club (SDGC). “The county likely felt pressured to act, fearing the lawsuit similar to the one faced by the city.”
The LA City Attorney’s office is also investigating the resale of tee times by Korean brokers. “We are conducting interviews and examining this issue thoroughly,” said a representative from the office.
Proceeds from the deposit and penalty policy will support junior golf programs within the county.
Meanwhile, the controversy over Korean brokers’ tee time reservations escalated when Dave Fink, a well-known golf coach and social media influencer, released a video exposing these activities. The Korea Daily first reported on this issue on March 7, sparking widespread debate.
BY YEOL JANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
