I was a member there for 7 years, departing 6 months ago for "improved" pastures. I always enjoyed playing there, but the club's been in BK for the last 3 years. The re-org plan is simply terrible, which was one of my reasons for leaving.
Earlier in 2007, the planning commission turned down the re-zoning, so the club was going to cease operations at the end of June. Then the city council overturned the ruling, the citizens petitioned, so the city of San Clemente will now be voting on the rezoning in February. If that does not go thru, I'd expect someone to buy it on the cheap and do something with the course.
A couple of comments:
1) Never, ever, ever mention this course on GCA.com again.
2) It is neither a links, nor links inspired, nor should be mentioned in the same thread with a links. The course does play firm over bermuda set on an awful clay base with Poa greens that get slower every year.
3) Of the 27 holes, about 1/2 of them were decent and the other 1/2 were awful. There are virtually no strategic decisions to be made throughout the 27 holes.
4) The course plays very difficult from the tips with the prevailing wind. There are only a couple of water hazards with the balance of the course playing thru the green.....so most hacks show up and shoot 10-15 shots above their average score.
5) The course has been turfed in a fair bit since RFG played there to speed up play and ease things up a bit.
6) During the week it might have the best pace of play on Earth.
Having said all that, your friend is making a good decision. With the current month-month membership, and the pace of play there, he'll be happy and become a better player.