Residents express concern about closing of North Golf Course

The new owners of North Golf Course in Sun City are closing a course that has been open for about 50 years. Menifee 24/7 file photo

Residents of the Sun City community in Menifee will meet on Thursday to discuss their concerns about the upcoming closure of North Golf Course, a fixture in the retirement community since the 1960s.

The ownership group of Golf and Art LLC, which owns the Cherry Hills Golf Course just a few blocks south as well as North Golf Course, announced recently it would close the North Course on April 3. This comes less than three months after the group purchased the North Course, with the intention of allowing its members continued play on their favorite course while decreasing their financial burden.

Prior to the sale, North Golf Course was owned by the members themselves. With membership decreasing, a sale to the Golf and Art LCC company was intended to enable residents to continue enjoying the amenities of the shorter course while relieving them of the financial burden, said Doug Hoffort, who was serving as PGA Professional at both courses.

But according to Peter Son, manager of the golf courses, membership at North Golf Course had decreased so much in recent months, it wasn't financially feasible to keep the course open.

"We tried to keep it open, but it didn't work out," Son said. "It's still not generating enough revenue. There are different factors involved, but basically there weren't enough annual pass sales.

"There used to be more than 100 members. Now, since we bought the course in January, we only have about 30 who rejoined with the annual membership. We think most of them will transfer their membership to Cherry Hills."

That remains to be seen. Son acknowledged that many of the residents who play at North Golf Course do so because the shorter holes (par 3s and 4s) are more enjoyable to them. Many are in their 80s and 90s and have been playing that course for years. North Golf Course, along with Cherry Hills Golf Course, were designed by developer Del Webb when Sun City was first opened as a retirement community in the 1960s.

Meanwhile, there is another key issue: What happens to the property? Son said they are exploring options, but it is possible the golf course would be fenced off and not maintained.

Ron Smith has lived in a home backing up to the North Golf Course for 13 years. He has called a meeting of local residents for Thursday to discuss their concerns about the future of the property.

"When the course was sold, I was under the assumption it would remain a golf course," said Smith, a former member at North Course who lives adjacent to the first green. "Then last week I was notified they are closing the doors, shutting off the water, everything.

"I understand it's a business. They bought a bundle of rights when they bought the course. My concern is the appearance of what will be a vacant piece of property. There are weeds that already are two feet high. If it gets too dry and someone drops a match, we could have a fire. There are trees that haven't been trimmed that are becoming a rat haven.

"The whole reason I bought that house was because it was next to a golf course. Closing it won't be good for the local community and it won't be good for Menifee as a whole."

Ruth Goulet, a longtime resident and member of the Sun City Civic Association, also is concerned about the future of the property.

"That property is zoned as open space," said Goulet, who said redevelopment of the property would be a major issue. "We certainly expect it to remain that way. There are in excess of 200 homes that back up to that golf course. When people bought those homes, they paid an extra $10,000 because they were on a golf course.

"We don't want other development there, nor do we want to see a fenced-off golf course full of weeds."

The City of Menifee is well aware of the issue. Council member Greg August, who represents the Sun City district, has discussed the issue with residents and is expected to attend Thursday's meeting. The City also issued a statement on Wednesday, saying, in part:

"Over the course of a few years, the City has been in discussions with the past property owners of the North Course Golf and tried to assist them with potential buyers for the golf course ... The City was first made aware of the current negative financial conditions of maintaining the two full golf courses within the City by the current property owners in January 2017. The owners, at this time, have only shared a 'conceptual plan' to redevelop the two properties. While the City highly encourages the owners to submit plans, there has been no formal submittal made to date to the City."

The North Golf Course Women's Club held its last tournament on the course Wednesday. Sarah Case, one of the members, said the tournament has been held for more than 40 years.

"We are a large group of women who love the game of golf," Case said. "Many walk the course several times a week. We also have a 9-hole group of ladies that range from 80 to 92 years of age; they play a couple days a week.

"The Club has been supportive of the community in various ways. For the past 10 years, we held the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Tournament, where we raised over $3,000 each year. These funds were given in support of Michelle's Place in Temecula/Murrieta. For the past few years, we held the Special Olympics for the golfers to play. The members worked the tournament, helping the players move around the course, keep score and support their activities. We also contributed to Toys for Tots each year and made monthly donations to the Community Cupboard.

"Our support of these events will be missed! We will also miss holding these events for the betterment of the City of Menifee."

This view of the North Golf Course shows the many homes that line the greens. Menifee 24/7 file photo

Members of the North Golf Course Women's Club pose after playing in their final tournament. Photo courtesy of Sarah Case