Renovations to the Newport Beach Golf Course will be the topic of discussion at Wednesday evening’s Speak Up Newport event.
The course’s operator, Newport Beach businessman William “Buck” Johns, will talk about projects planned on the aging property and how they could stunt the growth of the adjacent John Wayne Airport by keeping the golf course there longer. Newport resident and radio host Tom Johnson will also speak on the topic.
In February, Johns, president of Inland Energy Inc., asked the city to support his efforts to secure a 50-year lease for the 18-hole golf course at 3100 Irvine Ave., which is partly owned by Orange County. In response, the City Council agreed to draft a letter to the county Board of Supervisors in support of extending the lease. It is not known when the board of directors will be able to take up the issue.
In December, the Board of Supervisors voted to grant Johns the remaining five years of the golf course’s 10-year lease after shareholders agreed to sell their interest in the course to his company.
Johns said a 50-year lease would allow him to begin improvements to the greens and fairways, driving range, pro shop, restaurant, parking lot and events hall, which are expected to total $4.6 million.
The course has been operational for 40 years in the area south of the airport, known as the “open zone”. Over the past few years, revenues have decreased and expenses have increased, resulting in a profit of only $80,000 in 2012 and a loss of $130,000 in 2013.
The Speak Up Newport discussion will begin at 6 p.m. in the community room at the Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive.
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Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
