Austin golf course employees accused of misusing city resources, report says

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Austin Parks and Recreation Department employees within the golf division were accused of misusing city resources and abusing their positions for personal gain in 2023, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor and a PARD spokesperson.

The report said one employee was running a golf club repair business while on the clock at a municipal golf course. Several other employees were accused of holding golf clinics and "picking themselves to be the paid instructors" for clinics at Morris Williams Golf Course.

The employee accused of running the side business responded to the accusations, stating the repairs were a "hobby" done for family and friends by "word of mouth," the report said.

The report said the allegations are a violation of city code.

"PARD does not currently offer services such as golf club repair or instructor services to the public," the report said.

An Austin Parks and Recreation spokesperson said the department agreed with the report's findings and it is "actively working to revise business practices related to golf instruction."

Austin PARD's full statement is below.

The Office of the City Auditor investigative report finds that Multiple Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) employees misused City resources and abused positions for personal gain, which violates city code. The Department has reviewed the report and concurs with the findings. The PARD human resources team will collaborate with management to review the report and findings and then determine the appropriate next steps in each of these reported matters. Additionally, PARD has been actively working to revise business practices related to golf instruction at City-operated golf courses to help ensure future operations align with City of Austin values. PARD will also ensure that all Department employees have taken and passed the most recent City of Austin Ethics training. Parks and Recreation spokesperson