Golf Course Proposed Near City Revived

County officials have revived a plan to build an 18-hole golf course between Fillmore and Santa Paula to help balance the county parks budget.

The course, which would be built on 212 acres donated by the Toland family to the county for a park, has been planned since 1997.

The issue recently resurfaced when a Malibu golf course builder submitted a development application.

Some residents are concerned about losing the land as a regional park and about the drain on area water.

County parks officials, however, say turning the land into a golf course could help trim a $450,000 yearly shortfall in their department’s budget.

Preliminary plans show a 40-stall driving range, 190-vehicle parking lot, clubhouse, pro shop, tees and fairways, estimated to bring about $300,000 in yearly lease revenue for the county parks department.

The land and the property around it have been the subject of debate for years.

Four years ago, Fillmore and Santa Paula city leaders lost the battle over expanding the Toland Road landfill but successfully thwarted plans for a strip mine and county jail in the area.