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Club Members: Popular Local Golf Course To Close Due To Drought

SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA.com) — Golf club members say popular course in Santa Clarita, unable to sustain its grass due to California's mega-drought, is closing down, and industry experts fear this trend may spread throughout the state.

Club members say Robinson Ranch plans to close one of two available golf courses, because it is unable to afford water. Meanwhile, the fairways of the course continue to dry up.

"The fairways are all brown," golfer Jan Buchanan said. "(It's) more dry than I've ever seen it."

"The sandtraps are like cement," another golfer added. "We pulled up, and it was like 'Oh, it's really brown out here.' "

In September, Santa Clarita water officials shut down or reduced water from wells that supply water to homes and businesses, and suggested an increase in water rates may become necessary.

Robinson Ranch uses a combination of well water and city water, according to the Southern California Golf Association.

"Some of the homes around the course are very green. It's just the course," Buchanan said. "I don't know if they can really afford to keep the fairways green."

Robinson Ranch officials have not commented on the anticipated closure.

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