Issue link: https://digital.insidegolfmedia.com/i/709572
O livas Links and Buenaventura are two municipal golf courses located two miles from each other on the edge of the Santa Clara River, a few miles east of the ocean and six miles southwest of downtown Ventura. Buenaventura, originally designed by the legendary William F. Bell, a pi- oneering Southern California-based golf designer who played key roles in the creation of dozens of courses, in- cluding the Bel-Air Country Club and Rancho Park, is the original Ventura course, opening in April 1931. In con- trast, Olivas Links is a newish course on an oldish property. It was formerly known as Olivas Park Golf Course but the name was changed after a complete renovation concluded in May, 2007. Both courses offer ocean views and are blessed by Ventura's prevailing ocean wind breeze, which keeps tem- peratures down during the summer and warmer in the winter. Each also have casual, relaxed atmosphere, top- notch service and superb conditions year-round. However, they each boast unique characteristics. Olivas Links is a links-style design bordered by na- tive areas and with a rolling layout from tee to green. Buenaventura is more of a parkland-style course, with large, mature trees and undulation greens. At 6,818 yards from the tips, Olivas is the longest of the two (Buenaven- tura clocks in at 5,826-yards). It's also a course that could only exist in Ven- tura, says Anna Atwell, director of sales and marketing. "Olivas Links offers a natural golf MUNICIPAL COURSES SoCal GOLF INSIDER continued on the next page >> Buenaventura Golf Course features a design by the legendary William F. Bell. Olivas Links is a links-style design with a rolling layout bordered by native areas. CITY SLICKERS VENTURA'S OLIVAS LINKS AND BUENAVENTURA PROVIDE GREAT LAYOUTS AND OCEAN VIEWS