Nobody’s grass has ever been greener

Elia Powers

On weeks like this, when his backyard is the playground of

professional golfers, Dr. Ned Khorey makes the most of his new digs.

The view was just fine from his last home in the Sea Island

development, where he has lived for almost a quarter of a century.

But his current vantage point is hard to beat, with the 14th and 15th

tees and 17th green at Newport Beach Country Club in plain sight.

During the Toshiba Senior Classic, which ended Sunday, his deck

and swimming pool are as good as grandstands.

“I can see the pros and amateurs teeing off,” said Khorey, who

changed homes within the development two years ago. “There’s constant

activity happening outside my window.”

Khorey is one of a select group of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa

residents who can say they live within a chip shot of a local golf

course. Most of those who live next to the greens and sand traps cite

the convenience of playing golf and the interest in centering their

social lives around nearby country clubs as reasons for living near

the links.

The majority of Khorey’s interaction with his neighbors comes

during Toshiba Senior Classic tournament week, he said. A 30-year

member of the Santa Ana Golf Club, Khorey doesn’t belong to the

course that sits just yards from his home.

But he holds parties just the same.

Over the weekend, as pockets of viewers formed all over the golf

course, Khorey assembled crowds of his own. He holds barbecues at his

home, usually on Saturday and Sunday during tournament week, that

attract upwards of 50 people.

Some are his neighbors. Others are his patients. And one visitor

who makes frequent appearances is a golfing legend. Khorey’s

proximity to the course and his reputation as a chiropractor attracts

Lanny Watkins whenever he’s in town for the tournament, Khorey said.

Watkins has ongoing back and neck trouble, and he drops by

Khorey’s place for medical consultations and the occasional social

function.

During tournament week Sea Island is hypersocial, but his

neighbors mostly keep to themselves during the remainder of the year,

Khorey said.

Newport Beach Country Club resident Alex Jianas hasn’t had the

same experience. He and his wife, Diana, have lived near the course

for four months, and already Alex Jianas said he feels rooted in the

community.

They previously lived in a home near the Pacific Ocean, but Jianas

said he was ready to downsize. So the couple moved into a residence

near the ninth fairway of the course, where they play multiple times

per week.

Alex Jianas is a member of the “Dew Sweepers,” one of a handful of

men’s clubs that participate in competitive but friendly golf

matches.

“It’s not like a caste system, it’s just different people coming

together,” Jianas said. “I was lucky to be included and fell into the

system at the right time.”

Jianas likens living near a golf course to being in a fraternity,

though he admits he never had the chance to pledge during college.

The men’s groups plan regular get-togethers during the year. They

hold weekly Monday Night Football parties at the club in the fall.

They have taco nights, barbecue celebrations and other gatherings in

the main building, which Jianas said is only 20 seconds from his

door.

Walt Wilson, a 25-year resident of Mesa Verde Country Club in

Costa Mesa, said living a golf course meshes with his lifestyle. Now

nursing a foot injury, he doesn’t have to travel far to find some

action.

His club, which boasts 341 golf members and 160 tennis members,

provides a wealth of social outlets, including regular evening events

and golf outings.

“We have quite a few couples on the 17th fairway who we call at

the spur of the moment to have dinner,” he said. “It’s a real

convenient and friendly environment.”

Wilson served on the club’s board of directors for three years and

was the social chairman for one year, when he planned events for

residents. He said a comedy night and a wine tasting were two of the

most popular nights.

“It was fun for me because I’m a party person and I enjoy people,”

he said.

Wilson’s wife, Marion, runs a golf tournament in San Diego that

attracts many of the Mesa Verde residents for a weekend trip. Wilson

has run a similar tournament for years where entrants “party every

night and play golf during the day,” he said.

For Arlene Peterson, living near Mesa Verde with her husband,

Jack, is about comfort and commonality.

“We are in a neighborhood that’s unique because people have

similar interests,” she said.

She said she enjoys the social events and celebrations like Easter

Brunch and New Year’s Eve. But most of all, she likes to see

visitors’ expressions when they enter the house.

“When someone walks through the front door, you can see into the

back of the property,” said Peterson, who lives next to the 17th

fairway. “They say, ‘Is that your backyard?’”