‘Regular Guys’ Are Having a Rough Go

For golfers, new and improved aren’t always words to savor.

For example, a new and improved golf course brings with it higher green fees, leaving golfers to pay up or ship out.

Ship out is what a lot of players were forced to do when Imperial Golf Course in Brea was closed last March, a victim of a proposed housing development.

Ostensibly, Imperial was replaced by Coyote Hills in Fullerton, but weekend green fees at Coyote Hills are $95, or about triple what they were at Imperial.

“They told us, ‘Don’t worry, we’re building Coyote Hills to replace Imperial,’ ” Mike Ward, a South Pasadena police officer and former Imperial regular, said of promises made by developers. “But I can tell you: I won’t be playing at Coyote Hills. I’m not going to pay that much to play golf.”

He’s not alone.

As Southland courses are being refurbished--Montebello Golf Course is currently undergoing a major renovation, and Rio Hondo Golf Course was refurbished a few years ago--many regular customers are being uprooted.

And, in some cases, being priced out of the game.

“Golf is not geared to regular guys anymore,” said another displaced Imperial regular, Scott Samaha, a public works inspector for the city of Brea. “It’s corporate golf.”

Samaha, 41, said he now drives to the Inland Empire or sometimes as far as Palm Springs to find a course as moderately priced or as enjoyable as what he experienced at Imperial. The extra travel time, he said, has cut into his playing time. He used to play four to six times a month, but now he plays only once or twice.

“I play less and travel more,” he said. “I love the game and I won’t quit playing, but I’m not going to pay 100 bucks to play.”

In addition to the financial considerations, many older golfers face another problem when their favorite course is upgraded: The layout is too difficult to be enjoyable.

Bruce MacDonald, head golf professional at Rio Hondo, said the rebuilt course has drawn a younger clientele--and it’s not because the $8 increase in the green fees chased away the seniors.

“The older people left not because of the price but because the course is more difficult,” he said. “A lot of the seniors who play golf aren’t necessarily looking for a challenge. They’re looking for recreation and exercise.”

But that’s not to say that higher green fees aren’t also a deterrent to seniors.

“If you’re a lover of golf and enjoy playing once or twice a week,” said Sam Johnson, the sixtysomething president of the Imperial men’s club, which moved to L.A. Royal Vista Golf Course in Walnut when Imperial closed, “it’s discouraging to look around and see what’s happening with pricing.

“There’s no way they can ever replace a golf course like Imperial and keep the price down where the average man can afford to play.”