Public Gets Reprieve As TPC Valencia Goes Private

Jill Painter reports the public golfer no longer can enjoy the power lines, concrete wave bunker and tract housing views at TPC Valencia:

The decision to change its status was made in September.

"It was just to primarily focus on the membership and to accommodate their needs and keep the golf course in excellent condition," said Hillary Ames, the director of membership.

The club, which is in the gated Westridge community, will expand the Oaks Grille restaurant and its patio area as well.

Cost of the average membership is $40,000, which is a refundable deposit if the member leaves, according to Ames. They are not equity memberships, meaning members don't own a part of the club.

Since the TPC already was a semi-private club, it had between 300-330 members.

"People are asking us if we're dropping our name, but we're not. We still have networking privileges with the (other) TPC courses," Ames said.