Stevinson Ranch to Close in July?

[David Ober]

Just go an e-mail from AmateurGolf.com.

Sad news. Truly an excellent golf course. Enjoyed it every time I played there. The wind could really blow there, too, making it quite a challenging tournament course.

[Jeff Fortson]

Was just creating a thread for this.

http://www.amateurgolf.com/golf-tournament-news/14542/Stevinson-Ranch-to-close-on-July-18

So sad.

[Brent Hutto]

'Twas the site of a very memorable finish to the one King Putter event I played in. The 18th hole result of my team-mate Evan Fleisher's match proved that even this forum's most esteemed elder statesman can be made to sound foolish for making the "early call" while a ball is still in play...

[Jeff Fortson]

'Twas the site of a very memorable finish to the one King Putter event I played in. The 18th hole result of my team-mate Evan Fleisher's match proved that even this forum's most esteemed elder statesman can be made to sound foolish for making the "early call" while a ball is still in play...

Evan's chip-in delivered the only tie in King's Putter history allowing So Cal to retain the putter. Night chipping, a hole in one, and many good memories were had that week. Too bad we can't go back one last time for a KP.

[Joe Perches]

Too bad we can't go back one last time for a KP.

Doing anything this June?

[Connor Dougherty]

Too bad we can't go back one last time for a KP.

Doing anything this June?

I'm sorry to hear about the closing, I had always heard it was good but never journeyed down. I'd be very interested in going after the 5th major, if anyone would want to join.

[Bill_McBride]

I feel like Rodney Dangerfield, they are closing the scene of my only hole in one.  No respect I tell ya, no respect!

[Mike Benham]

Many old-timers in this photo, we look a bit tired as we had to listen to McBride's tale of his hole-in-one again and again ...

[Joel_Stewart]

Diablo Grande in Patterson also closed due to the drought. 

Is there a running list of how many courses in California have closed?

[Mark Provenzano]

Diablo Grande in Patterson also closed due to the drought. 

Is there a running list of how many courses in California have closed?

I haven't seen a list, but Ridgemark in Hollister permanently closed 18 of their 36 holes last year, consolidating parts of each course into a new 18 (and losing a few of their better holes in the process.) Some of the long-time residents who formerly had golf-course property aren't too pleased.

Diablo Grande closed one of their two courses (Legends), the Ranch course remains open.

[Mike Hendren]

Mike, thanks for posting that photograph.  I can't decide if I'd rather be Dan King or Jeff Fortson.  Huntley's out since I wouldn't be caught dead in a John Deere baseball cap.

Hope you're well.

Bogey

[Brent Hutto]

I had totally forgotten that back when I first met all those guys they weren't like, you know, Old and stuff.

Can't recall where I was when that picture was snapped but I'm sure I was doing something very important.

[Jim Franklin]

Diablo Grande in Patterson also closed due to the drought. 

Is there a running list of how many courses in California have closed?

Didn't the Padres just have a rain delay? That didn't help?

[David Stamm]

I don't know if there is a reliable list of closed courses, but there are more on the bubble, at least down here in San Diego. We've lost 3 down here in the last 24 months, and I know at least 3 more that have been rumored to be in serious danger of closing their doors. I think before everything is said and done, California will probably lose about 2-3 dozen courses before things bottom out.

[Jim Hoak]

Hard to quantify, but the combination of the cost and availability of water, together with rounds being down due to the overbuilding of courses, is a tough combination to deal with.  I know of some other California courses that have gone from a profit to a loss due to the increased cost of water alone.
Don't know where it will end--and don't know if it will spread to other states.  But water--cost and supply--is the major issue facing golf today, in my opinion.  And will be for many years to come.

[Gib_Papazian]

This was like a knife in my heart last night. I first played Stevinson on opening day as a golf writer and ended up becoming good friends with Harbottle, who described the course as his homage to NGLA. I love Stevinson Ranch - counting it in my top 5 public courses. I mean that sincerely, it is a joy to play. In fact, I was the one who made the suggestion to take KP there . . . . .

John was a great guy who met a tragic, completely unexplainable end. I hate to see such a stunning example of his work get plowed under. I sent an email to George (Kelley) to try and find out the scoop. We can only pray somebody steps in . . . . .

Before it closes, my suggestion would be to gather as many of us as possible to give it a send off. This is a terrible tragedy, just terrible.

[Carl Nichols]

Hard to quantify, but the combination of the cost and availability of water, together with rounds being down due to the overbuilding of courses, is a tough combination to deal with.  I know of some other California courses that have gone from a profit to a loss due to the increased cost of water alone.

Not to mention the value of the land for alternative uses . . . .

[Joel_Stewart]

Bass Lake golf course in the Sacramento area announced they will be closing on July 1st.


Another course in Rocklin is on the brink. 


This may be just the beginning.

[Brent Hutto]

It makes you wonder how much of these NLE courses' property will be developed into housing and whether there will actually be any less fresh water consumed in the land's next usages.

[Pat Burke]

There are so many bad golf products in SOuthern California.
The bar has been set pretty low for acceptable conditioning and service that
it's not a surprise that many would struggle.
Add water and the cost of playing and there seems a perfect storm for loss

[JJShanley]

http://www.golf.com/golf-plus/death-golf-course-withering-californias-stevinson-ranch?xid=golf_social


Not much discussion of the architectural reasons that GCAers liked the track, but a touching vignette as the same.

[Tom_Doak]

It makes you wonder how much of these NLE courses' property will be developed into housing and whether there will actually be any less fresh water consumed in the land's next usages.

My understanding is that Stevinson Ranch is being closed in order to preserve the water for the owner's adjacent agricultural business; there is no longer enough water to operate both.

[David_Tepper]

The family that owns Stevinson Ranch also owns 1,000 acres of almond trees, which are one of the most water-intensive crops to grow in California. They do not have enough water to maintain both.

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/sports/article21424410.html

It is also interesting to read that the course had a nematode problem in recent years. I had assumed that nematodes were more of a problem along the coast of California rather than inland.

[Mike Benham]

I suspect that there were a few other factors other than water supply, recall that the Clubhouse and grill burned to the ground a few years back, I believe they have been using trailers since that time.

Also recall that Stevinson Ranch is not all that close to civilization, smack in the middle of the farm community, 30 minutes to Modesto, over an hour to Fresno, perhaps the revenue streams are not what they needed to be.   Factor in the capital outlay to rebuild the clubhouse, maybe it didn't pencil out all that well.

I have heard it was a labor of love for George Kelley but it can't be a money loser either.

[Tim Leahy]

Similar problems with Diablo Grande. Just too far out of the way and not enough GCA to attract remote golfers.