Bay View golf course will close

The Bay View Golf Park's 18-hole course will be shut down at the end of the month as its owners consider ways of improving the facility.

Bay View's two-deck driving range, miniature golf and restaurant within the clubhouse will remain open.

KBay LLC, which bought the 120-acre Kaneohe golf facility for $11 million in March 2006 from a partnership headed by the Shidler Group, is considering redeveloping it into a 9-hole, par-3 course, improving the existing 18-hole course or hiring a management company that would ultimately decide the fate of the current operation, said Michael Nekoba, one of the partners in KBay.

About 15 of the golf park's 30 to 35 employees will be affected by the closure, Nekoba said, but added that the company may be able to accommodate some in other positions.

The length of the closure will be determined by which option the owners choose to pursue, though significant capital expenditures will be needed to get the course into good condition, he said.

"We feel something has to be done," he said. "Since we acquired it, the course was playable but not in great shape. The condition of the course could be a lot better."

The owners are meeting with managers and employees this week, he said.

KBay, which bought the facility primarily for its driving range and miniature golf facilities, doesn't intend on redeveloping the course for another use, Nekoba said.

Roger Dunn Golf Shops, a large national golf equipment retailer that held its grand opening at Bay View this month, will continue operating in an auxiliary building near the driving range.