Rumor Control -- The Morongo Band of Mission Indians did not purchase the two-course East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, contrary to chatter around the San Gorgonio Pass.

"It's a big, big rumor," said Heather Dunker, marketing director at East Valley, which is located in Beaumont's new frontier of golf course neighborhoods on the town's west side.

She constantly hears that the course was sold, as do I. I even heard about the rumored sale in Big Bear from a golfer who drives from the mountains to play in Beaumont. Dunker is quick to quash talk of the sale whenever she hears it.

The East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont has not been sold. The sale fell out of escrow during the summer and owner Choon Man Lee decided to continue on with the operation.

Dunker said the sale fell out of escrow during the summer and owner Choon Man Lee decided to continue on with the operation. He plans to draw more golfers to the public course and clubhouse, which, she said, too many people think is private.

The clubhouse arguably is the nicest Beaumont setting for a restaurant. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Lee bought East Valley from the Southern California PGA, which operated the two 18-hole courses to teach the sport and stage tournaments beginning in 2000. The golf professionals group continues to hold tournaments at East Valley.
Like many rumors, there are a few facts involved. The Morongo tribe indeed was in the midst of a deal over the summer to buy the course. It would be a nice match with Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. Golf could help attract gamblers to the tribe's game resort by Cabazon.

The sale died, as Dunker tells everyone who will listen. The tribe remains interested.

"An extension of the escrow was requested, but the owners declined," Michael Fisher, spokesman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, responded in an e-mail to my questions about the East Valley rumors.

"We remain interested in purchasing the golf course and plan to continue discussions. The golf course is a wonderful amenity that would provide our resort patrons with another terrific entertainment option."

Tribal Golf Benefits
All Beaumont residents need to do is look to San Jacinto to see the possibilities of golf courses with tribal owners.

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, which operates Soboba Casino, bought and greatly upgraded the Soboba Springs golf course. It now is called the Country Club at Soboba Springs and features a new clubhouse that houses the very nice Maze Stone Restaurant and banquet facilities.

The course is the site of this week's big Soboba Classic, which will have a pro-am event today with former NFL players, including retired Dallas Cowboys superstar receiver Michael Irvin, who became even more famous when he appeared on "Dancing with the Stars."

Nationwide pros compete Thursday for Sunday for a $1 million purse. Pros on the Nationwide tour are playing for top 25 positions over the season that make them eligible for next year's big-time PGA events.

Play is scheduled to be aired on the Golf Channel at 1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. It's fun to see the background shots of the San Jacinto Valley on television. It also is a great promo for the entire area, courtesy of the Soboba tribe.

Tickets are available at the course. If you go, please cheer for Brendan Steele, the Hemet High alum from Idyllwild who is playing well on the Nationwide circuit this summer and has a good chance of qualifying for next year's PGA tour. For ticket information, check out the www.sobobaclassic.net or call 951-654-4300.
Reach Bob Pratte at 951-763-3452, bpratte@PE.comor 474 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto, CA 92583.