Volunteers keep valley golf course functioning
From our weekly issue dated May 06, 2009
It wasn’t that long ago that a building boom hit Cave Junction, and included Illinois Valley Golf Course as its centerpiece.
Ambitious plans were made to expand the course to 18 holes, with three subdivisions wrapped around it.
Then the housing market went bust — and the expansion plans fizzled out completely — with lots still empty and occasionally filled with rainwater.
The course was in escrow, but that fell through in August 2008, prompting the facility’s closure in November. Another offer was made for the course last December, and subsequently withdrawn.
But the course reopened six weeks ago, and has been run by volunteers since.
Suzie Kennedy is among the volunteers keeping the golf course open these days. Kennedy worked at the course for three years, but said that she is willing to give up some of her time to try and keep it afloat.
Since opening its doors, the course has seen an uptick in activity, Kenney said. The golf team from Illinois Valley High School has spent quite a bit of time there as of late; all the slots for Monday night twilight golf have filled; and slots for Wednesday night twilight golf are going fast.
Reduced rates also have helped drive up visits to the course, Kennedy said. A nine-hole game costs $10, and 18 holes of play cost $15, with carts not included.
Marv Ahlers is among the I.V. Golf Course Board of Director members who have volunteered to help maintain the facility. He said that community members have demonstrated much dedication to keeping the course open.
“We seem to be getting more volunteers by the week,” Ahlers said. “I think the interest is there.”
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He added that golfers have been coming from throughout Southern Oregon to hit the links at I.V. Golf Course. Many plan to return, he observed.
“We need to entice people to play, and we’re doing that,” Ahlers said.
Although he anticipates the course being put back on the market at some point, he said that its current volunteer-run model seems to be working out quite well.
“I think over the short-term, it’s going to be fine,” Ahlers said. “If the volunteers last, the course will last. We can make it on a volunteer basis.”
Kennedy said that she remains optimistic about the course’s long-term survival.
“There is a chance, and that’s why we’re all volunteering,” she said.
Ahlers said that the course is looking “really good,” and that he and other volunteers are willing to put in the time to keep it open.
“We want a place to play golf,” he said. “If that’s what we have to do — that’s what we have to do.”
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