Community meeting set to discuss future of golf course

By Doug Spoon, Editor

An informational meeting will be held on Feb. 2 about the future of the closed Cherry Hills Golf Course.

In attendance will be representatives of the developer, Ambient Communities of Encinitas. The real estate development group recently closed escrow on the purchase of the property and the previously closed North Golf Course. The Cherry Hills Golf Course, a fixture in the Sun City community for more than 50 years, closed earlier this month.

Menifee City Council member Bob Karwin, who announced the sale on his Facebook page, said he was contacted by Ambient in an effort of transparency and with the promise of a community meeting to address the concerns of residents. More than 2,000 households in the 55+ community back up to one of the two courses.

In his Facebook message, Karwin said, “The new ownership group has no immediate plans for the future use of the property, but do not intend to operate a golf course.” He also stated that any sort of residential development would require a zoning change. The property, which includes a flood plain, is currently zoned “passive recreation.”

Five residents living adjacent to the course spoke at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to voice opposition to the closure.

“If this takes place, there should be plans for some sort of refund for people who paid special to live next to a golf course,” said Bob Fuhrman.

Another resident concerned about a drop in property values for his residence is Mark Wade.

“They’re trying to destroy a championship golf course I live on,” Wade said. “We will organize and vote against anyone on the City Council who votes for a zoning change.”

“Those of us who are dead set against this will take any steps necessary to stop this action,” said Wade Carpenter.

Residents have been upset ever since Korean-based Golf and Art LLC purchased the two golf courses in 2017 and closed the smaller North Course. Many complain about overgrown vegetation, dying turf and the presence of homeless individuals at that site. Complaints have also been received about the deteriorating state of the Cherry Hills Course in recent years.

“The Ambient people want to ask residents, ‘Assuming golf is not an option, what would you like to see there?' ” Karwin told Menifee 24/7. “They understand what a hot button issue this is.”

Karwin also addressed those who blame the city for allowing this to happen.

“It’s a private property being sold to another private company,” Karwin said. “The City is never going to be able to pay what would be needed for that private property. We tried to see if there was interest in donating part of the land to turn into a park, but research showed it would take over a million dollars just to comply with ADA standards.”

Karwin added that he believes that about “75 percent of the land is unbuildable” because of the restriction on it as a flood channel.

The Feb. 2 meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located at 30140 Town Center Drive in Menifee.