- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 445,052
- Reaction score
- 44
Vic Alvarez couldn’t get over the color.
The retired detective wheeled the push cart carrying his golf clubs up a fairway at Buenaventura Golf Course on May 2. Hours earlier, Ventura city officials reopened 14 holes after the course that sits in a flood plain had been closed for more then two years.
“Look at how green it is,” he said, walking up to what used to be the 18th hole. He remembered the massive storm on Jan. 9, 2023. The flooded Santa Clara River devastated sand traps, greens, the pro shop and more.
Alvarez, who lives about 3 miles from the course, came to check it out after the storm. All he could see was brown.
“Everything was mud,” he said, marveling at the repairs. “It’s good to have it back.”
The landmark course opened in 1932, according to the course's website, and some people contend it’s even older. It has gained favor with senior golfers and others because of shorter holes and more forgiving layout.
Tee times on opening day started at sunrise. Returning golfers found some changes and some new math. The 18-hole course is now four holes shorter.
“It’s better than nothing but Ventura deserves 18 holes,” said Mike Arrambide of Ventura as he sat in a golf cart. Playing partner Bill Meagher noted he’s fine with 14.
“At 73 years old, I get a little tired,” he said with a smile.
The new layout is expected to be temporary. City officials continue to pursue plans to make changes at the site to reduce future flood risks and then restore the course for good.
The priority is to reopen the course as a 18-hole layout, possibly within two years, but one of the options being explored involves only 12 holes, said Deputy City Manager Brad “Brick” Conners. Issues likely to influence the final decision include the limited amount of available land and decisions on alterations needed to best prevent future flooding.
Plans are expected to be presented to the public in a community workshop that could be held in May and then will later go to the City Council for a decision. At the opening, Councilmember Jim Duran said he wants the full course brought back.
“I want 18 because that’s what our golf community wants and for us it makes the most economic sense,” he said.
Money is a potential sand trap. Ventura officials are asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the vast majority of mitigation and restoration costs that remain unknown but could easily exceed $10 million.
There are no guarantees the federal funding will come but city officials have expressed confidence. Conners said consultants with extensive FEMA experience are helping guide the city down a path aimed at maximizing the chances of approval.
The issues and uncertainty have gnawed at some golfers. But on opening day, many people seemed happy just to the be teeing off again.
“Everybody thought the course was done,” Duran said of the flooding. He credited the work to quickly remove the mud from fairways.
Scars remain. Greens on the second and eighth hole were destroyed by the flooding. So was the tee box on the fifth hole. Vic Alvarez said the holes that remain are in good shape.
“They did a good job, finally,” Alvarez said. He looked up at what used to be 18th hole and saw old enemies that for years have swatted down drives and turned potential birdies into double bogeys. His next words came with a hint of trepidation.
“The trees,” he said, “ are still there.”
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at [email protected].
SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Back from the flood: Buenaventura Golf Course reopens 14 holes
Continue reading...
The retired detective wheeled the push cart carrying his golf clubs up a fairway at Buenaventura Golf Course on May 2. Hours earlier, Ventura city officials reopened 14 holes after the course that sits in a flood plain had been closed for more then two years.
“Look at how green it is,” he said, walking up to what used to be the 18th hole. He remembered the massive storm on Jan. 9, 2023. The flooded Santa Clara River devastated sand traps, greens, the pro shop and more.
You must be registered for see images
Alvarez, who lives about 3 miles from the course, came to check it out after the storm. All he could see was brown.
“Everything was mud,” he said, marveling at the repairs. “It’s good to have it back.”
The landmark course opened in 1932, according to the course's website, and some people contend it’s even older. It has gained favor with senior golfers and others because of shorter holes and more forgiving layout.
Tee times on opening day started at sunrise. Returning golfers found some changes and some new math. The 18-hole course is now four holes shorter.
“It’s better than nothing but Ventura deserves 18 holes,” said Mike Arrambide of Ventura as he sat in a golf cart. Playing partner Bill Meagher noted he’s fine with 14.
“At 73 years old, I get a little tired,” he said with a smile.
The new layout is expected to be temporary. City officials continue to pursue plans to make changes at the site to reduce future flood risks and then restore the course for good.
The priority is to reopen the course as a 18-hole layout, possibly within two years, but one of the options being explored involves only 12 holes, said Deputy City Manager Brad “Brick” Conners. Issues likely to influence the final decision include the limited amount of available land and decisions on alterations needed to best prevent future flooding.
Plans are expected to be presented to the public in a community workshop that could be held in May and then will later go to the City Council for a decision. At the opening, Councilmember Jim Duran said he wants the full course brought back.
“I want 18 because that’s what our golf community wants and for us it makes the most economic sense,” he said.
Money is a potential sand trap. Ventura officials are asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the vast majority of mitigation and restoration costs that remain unknown but could easily exceed $10 million.
There are no guarantees the federal funding will come but city officials have expressed confidence. Conners said consultants with extensive FEMA experience are helping guide the city down a path aimed at maximizing the chances of approval.
The issues and uncertainty have gnawed at some golfers. But on opening day, many people seemed happy just to the be teeing off again.
“Everybody thought the course was done,” Duran said of the flooding. He credited the work to quickly remove the mud from fairways.
Scars remain. Greens on the second and eighth hole were destroyed by the flooding. So was the tee box on the fifth hole. Vic Alvarez said the holes that remain are in good shape.
“They did a good job, finally,” Alvarez said. He looked up at what used to be 18th hole and saw old enemies that for years have swatted down drives and turned potential birdies into double bogeys. His next words came with a hint of trepidation.
“The trees,” he said, “ are still there.”
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at [email protected].
SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Back from the flood: Buenaventura Golf Course reopens 14 holes
Continue reading...
