Van Nuys Might Fall Under City Umbrella

The Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks is expected to take over management of Van Nuys Golf Course, which is owned by Los Angeles World Airports, perhaps by the end of the year.

In December, the L.A. City Council rejected a proposal by Van Nuys Golf, the course operator, for a new four-year lease.

The council instead asked for a proposal from Dept. of Recreation and Parks to take over operation of Van Nuys and Westchester Golf Course, which also is owned by LAWA.

The City Council has never acted on a lease proposal by American Golf Corp. on the Westchester course, and the management companies are operating the courses on a month-to-month basis.

“Our department is working with [LAWA] in looking at what would be required for us to operate both facilities,” said Ken Novak, golf program manager for the Dept. of Recreation and Parks. “The Board of Airport Commissioners must approve any proposals we make and they are under the watchful eye of the FAA. No airport funds can be diverted for this project.

“We are running cost figures and have hired an outside consultant to examine the feasibility of operating the facilities. If we manage both courses, in my view, we will be able to take our junior golf program to a year-round schedule.

“We will be able to designate time for juniors, seniors and families. It will be a great benefit to the community.”

The long-range plan is for the Dept. of Recreation and Parks to operate Van Nuys and Westchester as facilities primarily for juniors and beginners, incorporating them into a citywide program with the Tregnan Golf Academy at Coolidge, which opened earlier this summer in Griffith Park.

The Los Angeles Golf Advisory Board has formed an ad hoc committee to promote a smooth transition.

“Van Nuys Golf Course provides an ideal site, indeed the only site, in the San Fernando Valley suited to teach kids, seniors and beginners the game of golf at a place that is not intimidating to those learning the game,” said Craig Kessler, president of the Public Links Golf Assn. of Southern California and a member of the advisory board.

“While we are excited about the prospect of Recreation and Parks operating Van Nuys, we are equally passionate that they honor the groups that have enjoyed the facility for 30 years. This is about adding to what exists, not subtracting. We don’t want to crowd out existing play patterns, particularly families.

“The Dept. of Recreation and Parks has a great track record for junior, senior and family programming. Bringing that to Van Nuys will make the course a true public asset. This is no criticism of the current operator, which has done a good job overall.”

Van Nuys Golf Course includes a nine-hole executive course, an 18-hole par-three course, a 42-stall driving range, a pro shop and restaurant.

Improvements could include connecting to a reclaimed water system, rebuilding the greens, upgrading the pro shop and refurbishing the driving range.

The Dept. of Recreation and Parks would like to pattern the facility after the acclaimed Heartwell Golf Course in Long Beach, where Tiger Woods learned the game. The facility includes a par-three course and a junior golf academy.

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Tommy Barber of Burbank shot five-under-par 66 on Monday at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles in the second round of qualifying to earn a spot in the 100th U.S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 21 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

Barber, a Notre Dame High graduate who will attend College of the Canyons, finished at 70-66--136 to tie for medalist honors with John Ray Leary of Culver City and USC, who shot 67-69--136.

Chris Etue of Chatsworth was listed as first alternate after shooting 69-70--139 and Stephen Moore of Woodland Hills was tied for second alternate at 72-68--140.

Travis Matye of Lancaster tied for first alternate at Seven Oaks Country Club in Bakersfield by shooting 69-71--140.

Jacob Lusk of Ventura was third alternate at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier at 77-69--146.

Tim Wren of Oxnard tied for first alternate at the SCGA Members’ Club in Murrieta at 71-72--143.

Russell Surber of La Canada Flintridge tied for second alternate with 141 at Bandon Dunes, Ore.

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Hana Kim and Ina Kim of Encino won their singles matches Thursday, but the West fell to the East, 27-23, in the 11th annual Canon Cup Matches at Hutchinson, Kan.

Ina Kim defeated Perry Swenson of Charlotte, N.C., 1 up, and finished with a 2-2 record in the three-day competition.

Hana Kim beat Mallory Code of Tampa, 5 and 4, and finished 1-2-1.

Brian O’Flaherty of Westlake Village halved with Chris Nallen of Hackettstown, N.J., and was 1-2-1.

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The second Jim Murray Memorial Classic will be held Aug. 21 at Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake.

The Jim Murray Foundation has awarded six scholarships to journalism students, including one at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., Murray’s alma mater.

Scholarship winners are Justin Doom of Arizona State, David Longolucco of St. Bonaventure, Katie Tiernan of Missouri-Columbia, Anitra Budd of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Ryan Pearson of USC, Adam Karon of UCLA and Emily Gresh of Trinity.

Tournament information: (818) 344-6195, ext. 118.

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The Ventura County Junior Golf Assn. hosts the Loren Roberts Cup matches today at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo and Saturday at Saticoy Country Club in Somis.

The 36-hole event matches junior golf association teams from Ventura County, Kern County, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Central Coast.

The perpetual trophy that goes to the winning association was donated by Loren Roberts, PGA Tour pro from San Luis Obispo.

Ali Siam of Westlake Village and Kurt Taylor of Thousand Oaks will play for Ventura County in the boys’ 16-17 division, with Jeff Stoll of Camarillo as alternate.

Rebecca Norris of Thousand Oaks and Katrina Sutton of Camarillo will play in the girls’ division.

Sean King of Ventura and Brandon Beck of Oak Park will play in the boys’ 14-15 division, with Jason Wilk of Camarillo as alternate.

Sal Camacho of Oxnard and Danny Hoffenberg of Simi Valley will play in the boys’ 12-13 division.

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The Lancaster JetHawks will host their fourth annual celebrity golf tournament on Monday at Crystalaire Country Club in Llano.

Proceeds for the tournament will benefit the AV Light Foundation.

Information: (661) 726-5400.