Nicolaus golf course changes direction

There's a new golf course in the Mid-Valley —sort of.

The course in Nicolaus isn't new, but it has a new name, new management and big changes planned.

Rio La Paz Golf Club has changed its name to River Oaks Golf Club and is now under the control of California Golf Properties. Its managing member, Alan Scheiber, contributed the land where the course was built in 2000 for an interest in it.

Since then, Rio La Paz went through several golf management companies and eventually was sold to Pacific Legends, where it fell into bankruptcy.

Scheiber's group bought the course back in part because of his disappointment with how it was managed. He declined to state the purchase price.

"It's a viable facility if run properly and an asset to the community," said Scheiber, who lives next to the course and whose family roots in the area trace back to the 1800s. "We want this to be a full-service golf course. They haven't had the complete package here yet, and that's what we need."

Along those lines, Scheiber has hired Matt Drake, 28, as the course's head professional.

Drake, who grew up playing golf at Haggin Oaks in Sacramento, started March 13. He comes to River Oaks from The Villages Golf & Country Club in San Jose, where he was the director of golf instruction for four years.

"We're putting everything on Matt," said Scheiber, who works in construction and won't be involved in day-to-day operations. "It's his job to run the course, and he sees this as an excellent opportunity."

Drake said several things attracted him to the job, among them the course's location 17 miles south of Yuba City off Highway 99.

"There's the impression that we're out in the boondocks. East Nicolaus is not exactly the center of the universe, but we're right smack in the middle of Marysville-Yuba City, Lincoln and Sacramento," Drake said.

The course isn't long in today's Tiger Woods era of golf, 6,505 yards from the back tees, but Drake sees that as a good thing.

"The golf course is very well designed," he said. "It's very friendly to all levels of golfers, but all levels can be challenged."

Scheiber, who has had organizational help from longtime family friend John Wise since Scheiber's group took control in Feb. 1, said that almost all of the previous staff has been replaced. One of the few holdovers is course superintendent Gary Toledo, who has been there since day one.

"If it wasn't for him, the course probably wouldn't be here," Scheiber said.

Some of the longer-term goals are an additional putting green, permanent restrooms on the course to replace the portables, paved cart paths throughout and developing an outdoor area for weddings and special events. They've already repainted the pro shop and installed new carpet.

In the short term, there's the issue of the clubhouse/restaurant, an unmistakable reminder of the course's past mismanagement. It was built more than two years ago but never opened.

Wise and Scheiber didn't want to commit to a firm opening date but did say it would be open "within the next 30 days."

The restaurant will be managed by Linda and Mike Bistline, who are owners of Margie's DIner in Yuba City. Linda said they'll offer breakfast, lunch and late-afternoon appetizers. They'll also have beer and wine and may expand to a full bar down the road.

"We'll have the best food in town. We'll have the only food in town," she joked.

The restaurant, a PGA-affiliated instructor on staff, and a pro shop stocked with equipment all have to be part of the package, Drake said.

"I heard some not-so-good things about this place, but we're all very serious about turning this course around," he said. "We want this to be a full-service course that competes with anything out there.

"Potential, bottom line, lots and lots of untapped potential."