"Old beat-up vets like me … they'll mow us over."

Martha Groves of the Los Angeles Times looks at concerns veterans have about a nonprofit group's takeover and $6 million plans to convert the West Los Angeles "Heroes Course" into a practice facility for the UCLA golf teams, as well as to "improve" the course for the vets.

Stan Dawson, 71, of Santa Monica, who plays the course nearly every day, remains unconvinced that vets will come out on top when it comes to securing tee times. "I think UCLA will be calling the shots, and vets will get the short end of the stick," he said. "Old beat-up vets like me … they'll mow us over."

Stephen Peck, president of U.S. VETS, sought to allay concerns, saying that "100% of the time veterans get priority, particularly hospitalized vets and vets in the community." Members of the public will also be allowed to play, as they are now. Greens fees range from $3 to $13. Hospitalized vets play for free with recreational therapists.

Stretches of the 1,144-yard course look threadbare. The layout leaves golfers driving blind, as it were, hitting balls over the heads of other players. Safety is a prime goal of the overhaul, as is ensuring that every hole will be accessible to disabled golfers using special carts.

Having played the course I can speak to its merits as just the kind of place golf doesn't have enough of. The "VA Course" is one of those great little places in golf which, even in its "threadbare" state, serves as the perfect place for a nice mix of golfers to go and enjoy themselves. The photo by Christina House that ran with the story (above) so beautifully sums up what makes the place great: a dad out teaching his son where no one cares how you look, how you dress or how you swing. It's a place to get the kinks out and learn how to be comfortable with such a daunting game. Or if you're a disabled vet, it's just the right size, scale and atmosphere to get in some exercise.

Yes, the facility has seen better days and surely could use some minor improvements. And contrary to what the story says, it's not any less safe than most other par-3 courses where beginners and old choppers are out slashing it around. But a $6 million (!?) project that is essentially driven by the UCLA golf programs to add a recruiting toy? Precisely the kind of thing the vets do not need.

Comments

[SteveC]

I believe the architect will be Casey O'Callaghan, who did one really awful course in Orange County and redesign work at local munis. That's the best UCLA could do?

[Colin MacGillivray]

Can't see how they'll spend 6 million dollars on about 35 acres of land and keep the green fees as they are now.

[beagle]

Geoff, I'm sure you're familiar with this already, but if you're interested in VA courses you really need to check out the American Lake Veterans Golf Course south of Seattle - what an incredible place and story.

[Amen Coroner]

As a college golf coach without our own course this is a dream come true. Look at other schools with their own facility. But the opportunity for the school and the coaching staff isn't to have their own practice course. The opportunity is to get this course healthy and to improve the health and wellness of Americas vets. Let's not bitch and moan about the have and have nots. Let's instead rally the school and it's athletic dept boosters who have collected $6 mill to see the potential for good this course can do for both the school and the community. Of course the teams can also take part in charitable golf endeavors by working with young people and our nations vets. This dare I say has the potential to be even better than the Honors course at Yale, or Benders Taj Mahal Creek in Stillwater, or the Phil Mahal at ASU in Tempe. I really think this deal could still serve the UCLA golf program and the greater good. It just takes some decent people to have an open mind and heart. This is what golf the greatest game on the planet has the potential to do and be.

Sorry for the come to Jesus speech but I really hope this is what UCLA is already thinking...

[Lynn S.]

Amen Coroner

I know the UCLA athletic department. They are thinking of ways to make money. With the VA next door for the past 70 years, they sure waited a long time to decide to start helping the vets.

Furthermore with Bel Air CC across the street from the campus, the Bruin golf program is not going to suddenly come alive with a refurbished 9 hole course. The men's and women's programs are doing just fine thank you.

[Jordan]

Lynn S:

My worldview is shattered. You mean to say our alma mater isn't just looking out for student athletes?

[A.R.]

Amen Coroner
As Lynn S. said, the UCLA athletic program doesn't need any sympathy. The golf team practices at Bel Air C.C., and they have a small practice facility on campus. The baseball program is thriving and the newly re-modeled again Jackie Robinson Stadium (it wasn't that old in its current incarnation) on the same V.A. property now includes a state of the art behemoth of a batting cage. It is an eyesore at best, and they have claimed the before public lot for their own as well. I doubt that they have any opportunities for the veterans in their sight. Maybe they let them watch the practices for free.
Let's hope that this changing of the guard--occupation of the wonderful golf course will also include new and ample opportunities to help the new crop of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The Los Angeles National cemetery sits between UCLA and the VA property and has over 87,000 graves--Civil War to the present. We can only hope that it is safe from the developers.

Steve C.
As for the architect they have chosen? Those pie shaped bunkers with sand filled way to overflowing at the Santa Anita municipal course are not a good sign.

[Kevin]

@SteveC -- Casey O'Callaghan designed The Ranch near San Jose, which is all I need to say.

[HW]

I've played Indian Canyons in Palm Springs before and after Casey's remodel and he looks like a genius. I also enjoyed Arroyo Trabuco. Is it possible that aside from having a practice facility and recruiting tool, UCLA wants to help the vets?

[OB]

Arroyo Trabuco. Indian Canyons. Masterpieces.

[Squeaky]

I've played the VA course a few times with my 6-year-old son and I hope some of the $6 million goes into re-routing a few holes. Begging to differ with our host, the routing is awkward, random, and not particularly safe, with balls flying all over the place. The other west-side par 3 we play, at Rancho, is a much better track. VA could use some spiffing up. As for the complaints, jeez, they re-opened the course! what's wrong with that?

[Colin MacGillivray]

Martha's article said the area of the course is 7 acres and she told me that's what the VA told her.
Looks more like 30 plus acres to me on the layout on the website. Does anyone know what the area is?

Surely the course could be "fixed up" for a million or two- it's a public 9 hole par 3 course- and the balance spent in better ways