Lana Dugan

"We are excited and enthusiastic to pass the reins to the Town," said Lana Dugan, president of the AVCC Board of Directors.

The 18-hole golf course was $1.8 million in debt when its eight-member board of directors voted unanimously to turn the club over to the town, board president Lana Dugan said. Most of the club's members voted to cede the golf course to the town, she said. Members had paid an initiation fee of $3,500, a monthly membership of $425 and green fees.
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Apple Valley obtained the facility, which opened as a private golf course in 1948, in exchange for assuming responsibility for the club's debt, Dugan said.

Lana Dugan, president of the country club's board, said monetary offers for the rights — such as Victorville's $2.6 million approved by its City Council last week — are far too high because that figure is based on a total of 709 acre-feet of use a year.

Though it technically opened in April, board President Lana Dugan said the members decided to delay the celebration to coincide with the historic golf tournament on Sept. 13.
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The change in ownership will also likely mean a change in the tradition of private membership established by the club's founders, according to board President Lana Dugan.

"The members voted to list the club for sale last week," said Lana Dugan, president of the club's board.

The town council is meeting to discuss "both price and terms" for purchasing the property, located at 15200 Rancherias Road, during a closed session meeting Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

The town approached the country club several months ago, Dugan said, and expressed interest in the property.Though the members don't have a formal preference, she said many have expressed interest in the possibility of Apple Valley taking over.

"Because of the history of the country club and the founders, the members would like to see the club remain a country club for the entire community," Dugan said."The town might be more positive than a private party who is not affiliated with Apple Valley at all."

Not that others aren't interested.Dugan said the club has already had offers from several interested investors, from the Los Angeles area and even from a foreign country.

Members decided on the sale simply because revenues were not meeting costs, Dugan said.

"We don't have enough members as a private country club to cover all the expenses — unless the members are willing to pay $800 to $900 per month in dues," she said.

With dues currently at $425, A.V. Country Club members are already paying $100 more than members at the nearby Spring Valley Lake Country Club.

Though the property is not yet formerly listed for sale, management is in discussions with agencies that specialize in golf club sales.

The goal is to keep the club primarily as it is, Dugan said, but shift its membership and corporate structure.

"It will most likely become semi private or public," Dugan said, in order to open the amenities to the entire community.

B. Negotiations with Real Property Negotiator - Property located at 15200 Rancherias Road, Apple Valley; Negotiating Parties: Lana Dugan; Town Negotiator(s): Town Manager or Finance Director or Designee.