Cypress : Mayor Stunned Over Golf Course Closing

The sign announcing that the entire Los Alamitos Country Club Golf Course will close Monday not only surprised golfers but left city officials puzzled.

Cypress Mayor John Kanel said in an interview Friday that he “was stunned” when a resident told him this week that the course owner, Hollywood Real Estate Investment Trust, has decided to close the entire 18-hole golf course, instead of only nine holes as originally planned.

“They have a right to do that,” Kanel said, but he added that three weeks ago a lawyer representing the owner had told him that the owner agreed “not to do anything” until the owner and city officials met Wednesday to discuss the owner’s plans.

Kanel spoke with the attorney, Neil Papiano, Friday who Kanel said declined to offer any explanation during a brief telephone call.

“He said we can talk about it Wednesday,” Kanel said.

Papiano could not be reached for comment.

The 100-acre golf course has been the subject of dispute in Cypress since the owner was granted a zoning change to build an industrial park on part of the property.

Council members rescinded that zoning ruling, however, after irate golfers and residents concerned about increased density and traffic filed a petition with 5,800 signatures against the owner’s plan.

Kanel said he was optimistic that the golf course would remain open after Wednesday’s meeting, despite plans for a “Closing Out” party scheduled at the golf course today.