VENTURA, Calif. – Dec. 15, 2009 – Officials from the city of Ventura announced today that after a nationwide search, KemperSportsTM has been selected to manage Olivas Links and Buenaventura golf courses. The Northbrook, Ill.-based management company will oversee day-to-day operations at the city-owned golf courses including all golf operations, course maintenance and additional client services.
Olivas Links and Buenaventura represent KemperSports’ 16th and 17th properties in California, respectively, including Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., The Crossings at Carlsbad in Carlsbad, Calif., and Harding Park in San Francisco, Calif., recent host of The 2009 Presidents Cup.
“KemperSports stood out for their excellent track record in managing top-notch courses across the country,” said Eric Burton, city of Ventura community services manager. “Their commitment to customer service and their ambitious long-term vision will play an integral role in taking golf in Ventura to the next level.”
Buenaventura is an 18-hole, William F. Bell-design with large bent grass greens and pristine fairways. The original 1932 layout was renovated in 2005 by Forrest Richardson during a $6.5 million project that enhanced the classic feel of the original design. The restored layout collected numerous accolades including being honored as the “Best Public Course Renovation” by Golf Digest in 2005.
Also built by famed Torrey Pines designer William F. Bell, Olivas Links has a well-known reputation as one of the best golf courses in the Southland region. The layout, which was built in 1964, received upgrades in 2007 in an attempt to add features to the natural flow through native plant life. The 18-hole, par-72 championship course delivers coastal breezes and picturesque views of Ventura Harbor and the adjacent hillside.
Olivas Links was recently honored by Golfweek magazine by being named No. 10 on its 2009 list of top municipal courses in the country. The list also included KemperSports-managed Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open, in the No. 2 spot.
“We are excited to add these first-class golf courses to our portfolio of facilities in Southern California,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We look forward to making Olivas Links and Buenaventura must play golf destinations for residents and visitors alike.”
For more information regarding KemperSports, please visit www.kempersports.com.
For more information regarding Olivas Links and Buenaventura, please visit www.olivaslinks.com and www.buenaventuragolf.com.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSportsTM operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Harding Park, Desert Willow Golf Resort and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. Affiliate KemperSports Marketing & Communications, a sports marketing, events and public relations agency, has produced and managed major national and international events, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational college basketball tournament. For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.
Contact:
B.R. Koehnemann
847.291.6740, brkoehnemann@kempersports.com
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