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Billings Ranch course likely has impact on Oak Knoll By Sean Wolfe Ashland Daily Tidings At the reception honoring the groundbreaking for a new 18-hole golf course to be installed near Billings Pond at the north end of Ashland, fifth-generation Ashlander John Billings, 91, teed off the first ball. The planned golf course has sent ripples throughout the golfing community as far away as Eagle Point, and as close to home as the municipally-owned Oak Knoll Golf Course. Norm Miller (left) and Bil Leonhart watch the distance Leonhart's ball travels during a first hole tee-off this morning at Oak Knoll Golf Course. Ashland Daily Tidings/DENISE BARATTA At issue is competition. While Oak Knoll boasts just 9 holes, it is a significant source of revenue for city coffers. According to City Finance Director Lee Tuneberg, Oak Knoll brought in $345,000 in fiscal year 2001/2002, and is close to hitting that mark again this year. Interim Parks Director Steve Geis said he expects that revenues from the course will suffer somewhat, but is unclear on just how much. (change to: he expects that revenues will likely suffer, but just how much is unclear). "I'm sure it will have some effect on the golf course," Geis said. "But a lot of that depends on the rate structure. I suspect it will be quite a bit higher than ours. And I think we'll be able to continue serving the market for residents in town who don't want to pay the higher prices associated with a new course. "But I do think it will effect everyone a little bit." Geis' views are echoed in Eagle Point by Pat Akins, who serves as manager and head professional for Stone Ridge Golf Course. "If you have a pool of players, it's got to be divided up. And if you add one more place to be, it just divides the pie even further," Akins said. "What we'll try to do is focus on doing a better job so we can keep our base. It's obviously going to affect everybody a little bit. Whether it will affect courses like Oak Knoll depends on their rates. And if they go with a high end rate, Oak Knoll won't have to worry as much," Akins said. Ross Rampy, president of the Oak Knoll Men's Club said he was confident that the city's golf course should be able to survive a rival course. "I don't really think it will hurt Oak Knoll as much as people think. The biggest problem is that it will take away the golfer who wants to play 18 holes and is willing to drive to Medford and Eagle Point to do it," Rampy said "But this is a good course, and if someone is looking for something local and priced competitively, this is it. I think it's going to hurt folks in Eagle Point a little more, because it will be 18 holes and you don't have the drive." Billings Ranch LLC lead developer Michael Peru has reportedly estimated the combined pricetag for both the golf course and the surrounding housing development at $33 to $35 million. The golf course will be developed just outside city limits on county land. Developers are expected to submit course plans within the month. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -