Ray Conner
Sports Editor

Trapped in a bunker, the Kern Valley Golf Course tries its pitch for the green.

Coming off a time of financial straights, the board members and members alike are trying a fresh approach in getting the local course back into the green money-wise.

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Leslie Cline, Vice President of the board addressed the problems as well as what they are trying to do to resolve them, stating “We are trying to do everything to make the course look good. We are spending whatever spare cash we have to make it look better.”

New sand for the bunkers and gravel for repairing the cart path were tops on the list for improvements to the course. One other area in need of help is the out-dated watering system.

Getting the course into playing shape has been a chore for the new board and its members.

The new board members include President, Paul Cromwell, Vice-President Cline, Treasurer, Dale Carlson, and Secretary, Lonnie Klug.

They are currently one board member short, but possibly Maria Black could step in to complete the board.

Fighting off a fungus and paying more attention to making it look goodin hopes of attracting players has become the top priority. Head Superintendent, Sean Armes has dealt with the problems and has returned the course to better playing condition.

Cline stated, “I’ve been here four years and I have never seen it look better.”

More on Armes and the playing conditions of the course will be in part two in next week’s issue.

In hopes of building up the monetary coffers, they will be trying new things to get people to use the club house, the kitchen, the driving range and of course, the golf course itself.

They are attempting to attract golfers to become members and also to attract the out-of-towners to play on this jewel of a course set in our picturesque valley.

The membership numbers of the men’s and women’s golf club have been drifting along at an even keel, but the new board hopes to address that in the near future. They are hoping, as the money flow improves to get back to promoting membership.

Cline commenting on the membership said, “We do as much as we can to promote membership. The demographics of the valley have changed. It is no longer just a retirement community. More families are moving to the valley and working full time. Golf takes up a lot of time as you know. If mom and dad don’t play golf, then the kids are not likely to play golf. We do not have a lot of younger people in our membership. Currently we have not addressed that, but in the future we plan on it. Right now we only have one or two family memberships. We do offer a family membership. This is one of the only golf courses I know where members have unlimited use of a golf cart. Most courses gouge the players on the cart.”

Current membership fees are reasonable with a single membership for $125 a month. That includes unlimited golf and no cart. For $185 a month your membership includes a cart and unlimited golf.

Family memberships (parents and children under 19 years of age) is $180 a month with no cart and unlimited golf, while $265 a month gives you unlimited golf and a cart.

Also corporate and government memberships are available.

The course relies heavily on the summer time trade. On the weekends the course is heavily played in the summer months. Also moving the twilight play time to 1 p.m. and unlimited play, makes for increased traffic on the course and helps the monetary flow.

When asked how they planned on getting the “average joe” to come out and shoot a round of golf, Cline said, “Our daily green fees are a little higher, but we might offer a $5 off special and things like that.”

Another area of concern is the off-season. According to Cline, “The golf course, like a lot of businesses here in the valley, suffers terribly in the winter. Membership should keep us alive, but it’s done so much recently and it is tough to attract new membership.”

Another impact being felt us is the slow economy. Trying to increase money flow with the every thing else costing more, the Kern Valley Golf Course has taken a big hit in people not coming out to play the course. Other areas of the finances become that much more important and there is no time for entertainment. Paying the bills becomes a higher priority than a golf membership.

Some of the ideas that are being floated is an e-mail list to promote an e-mail special and also the food side tying into a round of golf.

Cline is hoping that the month of July will be their first promotion special and the food side of promotions.

“Every one is very keen on Taco Tuesday,” said Cline, “ We use to have a nine-hole tournament with a little prize money on a Tuesday afternoon and then it was taco’s and margarita’s afterward. Taco Tuesday is definitely on the agenda.”

Our local golf course is one of the best in getting players moving around and finishing. The wait time and etiquette are consistent.

There are those few times when someone that is not up on the rules and procedures of etiquette golf slow you down, but for the most part those that are in the know will allow faster players to play through.

In the club house, Alex Mercedes, who recently went to part time starter will get you are out on the course. He will take your money, offer a word of encouragement and send you on you way. Also rental clubs are available.

You seldom have to wait for a tee time and with a driving range, a pitching practice surface and practice putting green you can get your round off in the right way.

Kern Valley Golf Course’s green fees are as follows: Monday-Friday 18 holes $28 with cart, $18 walking. Nine holes with cart is $19. Twilight (unlimited play) is $16 with cart and $12 walking.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 18 holes with cart is $35 and $25 walking. Nine holes with a cart is $25.

Twilight (unlimited play) is $18 with cart and $14 walking. Pull carts are also available for $3.

In closing Cline said, “We want to let everyone know that we are not going broke. We are not going to close the doors anytime soon. We had some hard hits financially that we inherited from the past, but the new board and the membership are working hard to keep it going. We are not just a golf club, but also a social club where we try to make everyone welcome.”

To go online for details go to kernvalleygolfcourse.com or e-mail the golf course at kernvalleygolfcourse@gmail.com or call 376-2828.

Next week, part II will deal with the playing conditions of the golf course with quotes from Head Superintendent, Sean Armes