Coast Almost Clear for New Links--Minus 3 Holes

Thrifty golfers take note: Thanks to a landslide, a discount is coming. That is, if you are willing to give up three holes.

Ocean Trails Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes has issued an unusual “Fore!” Instead of the traditional 18 holes, the course with spectacular ocean views plans to open as soon as August with 15 holes.

While still under construction, the cliff-top course became famous last June when half of its 18th hole plunged into the Pacific as a result of a slide. The ninth and 12th holes are also closed, staging areas now for the bulldozers working on repairs.

But the rest is green and ready. The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council this week gave its preliminary approval for play on the beleaguered course to go forward. If a bankruptcy court judge and the California Coastal Commission agree, the cleats can soon start strolling and the carts rolling.

Ken Zuckerman, co-owner of the course, said experts are still trying to figure out how--and whether--to tally handicaps with only 15 holes. The course has not yet been rated for difficulty, but its creators say it was designed to be one of the country’s most beautiful and challenging, with plenty of difficult shots and strong ocean breezes to try the skills of serious players.

But, in what appears to be a first for the golf world, Zuckerman has decided to offer a 30% discount because of the three missing holes. That could translate into $66 per game, since rates were set to be as high as $220 on a weekend day.

Quite a bargain, say area golfers. And that should help attract crowds, even though geologists say there is a very slight chance that the ground under the 10th hole is unstable too. That could conjure fears of players--and their clubs, carts and funny pants--sliding off a cliff like strangely dressed lemmings.

A portion of the Par-4 10th hole lies above what is known as dormant landslide A, which geologists say is similar to the chunk of land that plunged down the cliff and into the sea last year along with 500 feet of sewer line. City officials and course owners insist that all 15 holes are safe.

“I think it’s a good idea to open the course,” said Mayor Lee Byrd. “I’m not concerned about the safety of the golf course today, but I am concerned about doing the right thing about landslide A.”

The mayor said geologists will closely monitor the stability of the 10th hole as well as the rest of the course and surrounding paths. Before the city grants final approval for the course to open, officials also want course owners to take some steps to deal with additional traffic on surrounding streets.

But both City Council members and Zuckerman said they are delighted that the first tee-off is getting close.

Zuckerman said the $100-million development, which includes the course and 75 new houses, badly needs the revenue--even though course fees will be only 70% of what he had hoped to get. He also hopes the company, called Ocean Trails Golf Club, will pull out of the bankruptcy the slide sent it into. He said he plans to open the additional three holes as soon as possible, which will probably be next year after repairs are finished.

The cause of the slide is still being debated. Course owners blame a ruptured county-owned sanitation pipe. County officials disagree.

But there is no question that the slide was an epic sand trap for the developing company. The firm filed for bankruptcy last fall and has since sued the project’s major lender, Credit Suisse First Boston, charging that it tried to force the project to default on its loan so the bank could take it over.

Meanwhile, news of the unusual course was greeted with interest in the sometimes snooty golfing world.

“I’ve never heard of a 15-hole golf course . . . but it’s better than no course at all,” said Roger Val, director of rules and competitions for the Northern California Golf Assn. And serious golfers needn’t spurn the course just because it’s a few holes short, he added.

“They could play 15 holes and still post a score,” he said. “Now, whether anyone likes to play 15 holes, that’s up to them . . . but they can do it.”

Area golfers, and even homeowners opposed to the adjacent Ocean Trails housing development, said they, too, are pleased that the course will open.

“It’s a very challenging course,” quipped Bob Randall, a San Pedro resident who has tried it out informally at the invitation of course owners. “It’s so difficult that it makes you not want to keep score, but just look at the scenery.”