Golf at Hill Canyon

In letters to the editor and at Thousand Oaks City Council meetings, golf course proponents have complained that they have difficulty signing up for the choice morning tee times, and then gone on to call for the city to build a golf course for them in Hill Canyon.

The city of Ventura is considering expanding Olivas Park Golf Course from 18 holes to 27 holes. It commissioned a Golf Masterplan Analysis, dated February 1999, prepared by Golf Dimensions of Irvine. Golf Dimensions is also involved in the Hill Canyon Project.

On page IV-7, the report states, “Demand for golf in suburban areas like Ventura tends to peak during certain periods, primarily Saturday and Sunday mornings. Successful operation of golf courses, however, requires generating adequate levels of play during non-peak periods.”

On page IV-3, it states, “While the inventory of courses will expand in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the economics of new golf course development in Southern California dictate relatively high greens fees, typically in the $50+ range, to achieve economic viability.”

Page IV-8: “The interest in (propensity to play) golf increased sharply nationally from 1996-1997, resulting in a 12% increase in play. Much of this increase was attributable to the impact of Tiger Woods’ entry into the professional tour. However, in 1998, indications are that demand will have declined 10% as significant attrition has occurred with new golfers.”

On page IV-6 is a table showing “Theoretical Support for Golf Courses” by the Ventura County population in 1998, 2005 and 2010 respectively as 10.9, 12.4 and 13 18-hole courses and it states the current inventory is 11.

The report goes on to adjust the current demand up from the theoretical 10.9 to 12.5, primarily because of players from Los Angeles County, where a significant shortage of golf courses does exist.

The inventory of courses soon will increase by two as both Tierra Rejada Road courses come on line. This is good news both for golfers and for proponents of Hill Canyon preservation. Market demand for golf will be more than met and we don’t have to rip up the canyon.

PAUL NICHOLSON, Thousand Oaks

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In the interest of conserving the Thousand Oaks City Council’s and the Conejo Regional Park District board’s opportunities to address other issues, we have decided to declare a personal moratorium on the Hill Canyon proposal, for the short term, during the public comment portion of the Tuesday night agenda.

We are not surrendering our point of view. We just have no desire to prolong and encourage the circus-like atmosphere that has been promoted for the past two months by those who oppose the Hill Canyon multiuse regional recreational facility. Somehow the dignity of the civil process must be protected and preserved.

We are hopeful that, by temporarily withdrawing, the rancor and bitterness and personal attacks will wither and die in isolation and that common sense and decency may prevail.

To our council members we say, thank you for your perseverance in working through the constant distractions. Perhaps this respite might tone down the rhetoric and the mood of the discussions. If we are to realize a solution to Hill Canyon we must first remove the hostility and bitterness and replace them with reason and positive actions.

The best decision for the people of our city needs to be made in a climate of considered and dispassionate judgment. When that is possible, we will be there. In the meantime, we are open to any request to aid in a better understanding of the Hill Canyon Regional Recreational Facility proposal.

MARSHALL DIXON, LYLE WRAY, Co-Chairs, Committee for the Public Use of Hill Canyon