Oak Creek Stays On Course for September Opening

Despite rains that delayed construction about a month, Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine is on schedule to open in late September, course officials said.

Construction of the 6,700-yard, Tom Fazio-designed layout should be completed in the next two weeks, said Dennis Myers, an official with Western Golf Properties, which is managing the course for the Irvine Co. The fairway grass will grow during the next two months.

The course is set on a former orange grove, near Interstate 5 and Irvine Center Drive, but is shielded from passing traffic by landscaping and mounds.

The earthmoving that helped transform the flat land into a course started last July. A creek and two lakes were created.

“People driving by would never have an idea of the movement and what is happening inside the project,� Myers said. “It’s going to be a popular golf course.�

Of course, popularity doesn’t come cheap. Oak Creek’s greens fees are expected to be in the $75-$100 range. But Jay Colliatie, director of golf at Pelican Hill and Oak Creek, says plans are being made to help ease the sting. The course will offer senior and twilight discounts, he said.

“Our goal is to provide a great experience and yet have it be affordable to the majority of the people,� Colliatie said.

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Golf in Miniature: The Greens, a putting course that opened in October at Park Place in Irvine, is a welcome addition to the county’s golf scene.

The price--$10--might be a bit steep, but the Ted Robinson-designed layout is challenging and fun. Par is 56, the yardage is 1,678 and you won’t be hitting through any windmills.

“People think of miniature golf--that they’re going to be getting a hole in one on every hole,� said Jack Hopkins, co-owner of the business. “It’s not going to happen out here.�

Hopkins said the course--with greens that meet the specifications of the U.S. Golf Assn.--was designed with the serious golfer in mind, and that playing it will help improve games. It’s also a good place for beginners--the fee includes the use of a putter and a ball and the setting isn’t intimidating.

Unless, of course, you are putting for cash. The course sets up a skins game at 7 Wednesday nights and last week someone sank a putt worth $136.

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Record-holder: Eric Hird, 17, of Fountain Valley, recently set the course record at the Greens, shooting a nine-under-par 47. Hird had two eagles, including a hole in one, six birdies and a bogey.

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Trip Delayed: Brian Ricketts of Alhambra had planned to fly to the Pebble Beach area Sunday and play at Spanish Bay as he prepared for this week’s California Amateur Championship.

But Ricketts, who played at Cypress College in 1994 and 1995, had to change his plans because he reached the final of the Long Beach Match Play Championship.

Missing his plane flight was worth it as Ricketts beat John Lee, 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final at Skylinks. Lee, 20, is a graduate of Valencia High.

Lee made a 57-foot putt for birdie on the 30th hole to stay alive, then picked up a hole with par on No. 31.

But Ricketts closed out the match with a birdie on the 15th. He was 11-under for the 33 holes.

Ricketts, the 1995 community college individual state champion, drove to Pebble Beach Sunday night.

Golf Notes

Stephen Wagner, a 21-year veteran of the golf industry, has been named tournament director of the Toshiba Senior Classic, Bob Neely, president of International Sports & Event Marketing, announced last week. Wagner replaces Michael Carey, who recently left the organization. Ben Williard, superintendent at the Links course at Pelican Hill, has been named the superintendent at Oak Creek, Western Golf Properties announced.

The Orange County Golf Notebook runs weekly. Readers are encouraged to suggest items. What is your favorite golf hole in the county? Your favorite teaching pro? Call (714) 966-5904, fax (714) 966-5663 or e-mail Martin.B[email protected]