Coastal Panel OKs Plan to Repair Golf Course

The California Coastal Commission has unanimously approved an ambitious repair program at a new luxury golf course where much of the 18th hole slid into the ocean last year.

The repair program for the Ocean Trails Golf Club calls for the insertion of up to 120 giant pins and construction of a wall to stabilize the ocean bluff that gave way, wiping out part of the course and damaging the course’s public hiking and bike trails, as well as a recently restored wildlife and native plant habitat.

The commission also allowed club owners to open 15 holes for play while the rebuilding work is underway. Co-owner Ken Zuckerman said Thursday the club expects to welcome golfers as early as mid-August. He expects it will take six to eight months for the repairs that will allow golfers to play a full 18 holes, however.

The course owners already have opened their clubhouse and one of its restaurants to the public.

Last fall, the commission turned down an earlier repair plan, but this one passed muster after owners offered a permanent solution instead of focusing mainly on how to stabilize the land for winter rains.