Six months after floodwaters buried Buenaventura Golf Course in mud and silt, the course likely will not reopen for at least another six months and its fate may hinge on still unknown final costs and hoped-for federal reimbursements, Ventura officials said.
“It’s just too early to tell,” city Parks and Recreation Director Nancy O’Connor said of targeting an opening date. “But I would say our goal, if all goes well, is the first of the year.”
Early January storms submerged the 91-year-old Ventura course located in a flood plain, damaging fairways, greens and everything in between. Water that rose 2 feet and higher also left muddy wounds in the pro shop and snack bar.
Roughly $3 million, all covered by insurance, has been used so far for repairs, O’Connor said. Tons of mud and silt were scraped off the city-owned course and piled into massive mounds alongside fairways. Work crews have now started hauling the mud and debris off the property.
The efforts helped save about 75% of the course’s grass — exponentially more than what was expected, O’Connor said.
Opened in 1932, the municipal course is shorter and more forgiving than nearby venues in attributes that have brought a loyal following. Some regulars are convinced the course will reopen. Others fret about projections they may not be able to tee it up until January.
“At my age that doesn’t help at all,” said Judy Stafford, 82, of Camarillo, admitting to bigger fears. “I’m worried it won’t reopen.”
‘There’s a lot of unanswered questions:’ Flooding stokes angst about Ventura golf course
The path to resumed play remains long and partly unknown. Once the piles of dirt from the flood are removed, workers will be able to better assess the damage done to drainage and irrigation systems. Then a contracted golf course architect will map out the scope of the remaining needed work, allowing the city to better assess costs.
Work crews use dump trucks top to remove mounds of dirt at the Buenaventura Golf Course on Friday, July 7, 2023. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Right now, the bottom line remains unknown and so do details of the funding sources.
The city has gained initial approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but the level of reimbursements is expected to be determined by future inspections. The process has also slowed down the work as the city tries to stay within the federal agency’s many regulations, O’Connor said.
California sun cup flowers grow on the damaged eighth green at Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura on Friday. The course was shut down in January after flooding. The reopening timetable remains unknown.
Once FEMA’s level of involvement is known and exact costs are more clear, a firm decision is expected on the remaining work and the course’s fate.
“Every intent is to open the course,” O’Connor said, noting the final decision will likely come from the Ventura City Council. “We just have to make sure that what we’re doing is economically feasible and stay within all of the guidelines. FEMA has a lot of rules.”
Several years ago, the sizable financial burden of operating Buenaventura and its sister course, Olivas Links, generated debate about the city’s golf operations. Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder said the course rebounded and was generating money for the city.
Schroeder, a golfer, said he wants the course to reopen. But if the issue does come to the council, his vote will likely depend largely on FEMA’s payments.
“If it’s fully funded, I think it’s an easy decision.” he said. “If it’s not fully funded, it’s more and more difficult.”
Leaders of clubs that regularly golfed at Buenaventura expressed confidence the course will reopen. Hans Schomaker, 83, of Ventura, once hit a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. He is certain he’ll have a chance to do it again.
“It’s good income for the city.” he said of the course. “There’s no way they’re going to close it.”
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.