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CLEAR Temp: 67 °F Wind: WNW at 3 mph Thursday, October 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 3, 2003 New Ashland golf course not a welcome addition by some By SEAN WOLFE for the Mail Tribune At the reception honoring the groundbreaking for a new 18-hole golf course to be in- stalled 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. 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 2001-002, and is close to hitting that mark again this year. Interim Parks Director Steve Geis said he expects that revenues will likely suffer, but just how much is unclear. Advertisement "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 affect 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 play- ers, it's got to be divided up," Akins said. "And if you add one more place to be, it just divides the pie even further. 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." 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," he said. "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." "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 price tag 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 a month. Sean Wolfe is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times