At 28 Years Old, Casta del Sol Receives a Face Lift
Casta del Sol Golf Course is fully operational after a $2-million renovation project shut down the Mission Viejo course for nearly a year.
All 18 greens were rebuilt, the cart paths were repaved and the clubhouse has been renovated at the 28-year-old, Ted Robinson-designed executive course. Many of the tee boxes have been re-sodded and the irrigation system has been upgraded.
“The course needed a redesign,” General Manager Mario Marquez said. “Some of the cart paths were beaten up pretty good and we would lose a few greens every year. These changes should solve those problems.”
The greens have been changed from Bermuda to bentgrass and will be watered with potable water, which is lower in salt and should induce better growth and allow for easier maintenance.
The clubhouse has been recarpeted, a bar has been added and the restrooms were rebuilt. The patio has also been expanded to accommodate 150 persons. The previous patio could seat only 50.
A new fleet of 85 golf carts has been added to replace the 50 outdated models, and a barbecue stand now services golfers making the turn.
The course remained open during the greens reconstruction project, with temporary greens in play on all holes.
The course is running a lunchtime special rate as part of the re-opening. The rate is $20 Mon.-Fri., for those teeing off between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and it includes a cart and lunch. The same deal is offered for $30 on Sunday, but is not in effect on Saturday.
Regular rates are $20 Mon.-Fri. to walk and $32 with a cart. On weekends, it’s $31 to walk and $43 with a cart.
LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS
Tustin Ranch Golf Club is now selling limited-term memberships in its club at Tustin Ranch.
For $275, golfers receive discounts on green fees, the opportunity to play in tournaments and discounts in the dining room and at the driving range. The current membership year ends March 31, 2001.
Members can play Tustin Ranch for $65 Mon.-Wed. and $80 Thur.-Fri. On weekends, the member rates are $110 Saturdays before 11 a.m., $95 after 11. The fee is $95 all day Sunday. Regular fees are $85, $100 and $135. Members may bring unlimited guests at the club rate Mon.-Fri. and after 11 on weekends.
Further details: (714) 730-1611.
QUALIFYING SCHOOL
More than 80 Southern Californians, including 10 Orange County residents, are among the nearly 1,000 players that began the first stage of PGA Tour qualifying school Tuesday at eight sites around the country.
County residents playing at La Purisima in Lompoc are: Brad Greer of Huntington Beach, Bill Brodie of Newport Beach, Darren Ernst of Costa Mesa, Mike Fergin of Tustin, Perry Parker of Dana Point and Ian Sawyers of Laguna Niguel.
In the field at Bayonet in Seaside are: Terry Noe of Fullerton, Justin Boatman of Aliso Viejo, John Burckle of Mission Viejo, Mark Foster of Mission Viejo, Sung Yoon Kim of Aliso Viejo, Monte Schienblum of Newport Coast and Ryan Welborn of Fullerton.
Han Lee of Buena Park is in the field at Hombre Golf Course in Panama City, Fla.
Qualifiers advance to the second round in November at one of six sites, including Blackhorse in Seaside and Oak Valley in Beaumont. The six-round final stage is Nov. 29-Dec. 4 at PGA West in La Quinta.
WOODROME ADVANCES
Hank Woodrome of Brea shot 73-73-75-75--296 and finished tied for 27th at the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship last weekend at Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
By finishing in the top 35, Woodrome earned a berth in the 2001 Senior PGA Championship, a Senior PGA Tour major championship, May 24-27 at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
Woodrome begins play Thursday in the Western Region PGA Club Professional Championship at Makena Resort in Maui.
CUP TEAM SET
Tim Hogarth of Van Nuys, John Pate of Santa Barbara, Scott McGhion of Bermuda Dunes, Pat Duncan of Rancho Santa Fe, Greg Puga of Los Angeles, Ted Lyford of Redlands and Mike Riley of San Diego make up the Southern California Seaver Cup team that will compete against eight Northern Californians Nov. 7-8 at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.
GOLF SHOW SET
The Southern California Golf Assn. is joining with the SCPGA for the Southern California Golf Show in March at the Fairplex in Pomona.
The SCGA will focus on the marketing of the show to its amateur members by offering discounts and coupons good at the show.
“The show has the opportunity to showcase golf in Southern California,” said SCGA spokesman Bob Thomas. “That is an important part of our charter.”
The SCPGA had run the show independently for 11 years, but has now added two partners. Last month IMG announced it would make the show part of its national golf expo series.