|
Erik Iker, one of three partners now running the former Ozzie Osborne 9-hole golf course, poses next to the lake. |
What was formerly known as Ozzie Osborne’s Par 3 Golf Course has reopened under new ownership and a new name.
The course is now called Santa Paula Community Golf Course. Camarillo resident Mitch Sgro, who owns Central Coast Water Company, saw a classified ad, advertising the golf course for lease. He talked to two friends, Erik Iker and Chris Traikoff and the three of them took over the facility from Osborne.
Osborne, who is 90, first opened the 9-hole, par 3 course in 1995. He had since leased it out a couple of times but took back control in 2009. He again put it up for lease and that’s when the new trio came aboard in January.
Since then they’ve been working to put the course back in good shape. “It was pretty upside down but we turned it around,” said Iker. “The greens and fairways were brown, so we punched the greens and put on seed and fertilizer and got the irrigation going again with a lot of Ozzie’s help. We’re doing new signs and fixing up the picnic area.”
We’ve offered both the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters to use the course and grounds. The kids would be allowed to play for free. They’ll give the children clubs and balls to use.
Iker noted that the course is good for a short game and called it “A challenging little course.” He added that it’s ideal for kids and beginners.
They’re open seven days a week, from 7 am to dusk. The fees are $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. They’re hoping to have a ribbon cutting and grand opening in mid-April.
