Debbie Muth, president of the Scotts Valley Historical Society, is someone who can’t get enough of learning about, and sharing, stories of days gone by.
Just last week, for example, she hopped on a webinar with UCSC professor Dr. Marin Rizzo-Smith to consider the subject of bias in written narratives.
“It made me think about what’s written down with a more critical eye,” said Muth, sitting in the kitchen of the old Scott House, which still boasts its 1853 redwood framing, last Friday. “You need to look at history and see who’s writing it.”
Well, now she gets to help write a small chapter in the ongoing history of this hillside community, and she’s seeking the public’s help in telling it.
The old Valley Gardens Golf Course, which has been unused and overgrown with weeds for years, is set to have a new life as a housing development. Two relatively small structures there are meant to be demolished.
But before that could happen, the developer allowed the Historical Society to visit the property to see if there was anything of value worth saving.
City of Scotts Valley’s Community Development Director Taylor Bateman called and emailed to set up the tour.
There was—and still is—a lot of mystery around the site, which opened as a golf course in 1971 before shuttering in 2018 due to financial reasons.
“We were trying to figure out if the old house—who that belonged to, if it had any ties to people that lived at that end of town,” Muth said. “We kinda researched it, and we didn’t think so.”
Despite the shuttered status, the location is still quite beautiful, she discovered.
“I’m amazed at the palm trees that are there,” she said. “You can tell in its day it was very nice. But, like I say, I’m not a golfer, so I never even went there.”
During her interview with the Press Banner, a younger man in a “Taylor Made” hat randomly wandered in. He’d just been curious about the City-owned Scott House and had decided to check it out. Muth informed him he’d have to come back during opening hours if he wanted a tour.
It turned out his own life had dovetailed with the life of the Valley Gardens Golf Course—or, at least it almost did.
“When I moved here, I was very excited about the golf course—because I’m a golfer. You can see the hat,” said Brad Sooter, a 35-year-old medical sales professional, recalling his move from San Jose. “It got shut down almost immediately.”
Sooter grew up in a mountain town and loves the beach, but he also enjoys being close to the city. So, Scotts Valley was perfect.
“It’s a short commute to San Jose,” he said. “I can get to the airport quickly. There’s a lot of jobs over the hill.”
Having a nine-hole, par-three course practically in his backyard would’ve been ideal, he added.
“It just seems like everything’s being developed more and more quickly. It just seems like it’s becoming a busier place quickly. And maybe that’s what it needs for the downtown,” said Sooter, referring to the planned Town Center project that’s in the works across from the Valley Gardens site. “I would love if that had stayed a golf course.”
When local history buffs Jay Topping, Eric Taylor and Sue and Terry Reynolds joined Muth as well as Molly Robson—forward planning project manager for Robson Homes (the developer)—at the Valley Gardens site, they were transported into the past.
They didn’t find any priceless artifacts that could solve some longstanding local conspiracy. They didn’t discover any hidden architectural marvels.
But the members of the group did begin to peel the layers back on a small sliver of the city’s history.
There was a plaque outside they decided to keep. And a couple photographs of a tree that seemed cool. But nothing monumental otherwise, they decided.
“I think, in the end, we were just glad that we saw it and we could take some pictures, and that was it,” Muth said. “At one time it was a meeting place for the people of Scotts Valley.”
In an email interview, Robson explained the steps they’ve taken to preserve the past while planning the site’s future.
“Robson Homes has been working on this project for several years, and throughout that time we’ve spent a great deal of energy listening to the Scotts Valley community and working closely with City staff,” she said. “People consistently shared that they want a neighborhood with meaningful open space, small and unique retail, and a mix of homes that fit the character of Scotts Valley. That feedback has played an important role in shaping the plan.”
The current vision includes 142 single-family homes and 54 multifamily units, with a commercial component featuring three retail buildings. Robson Homes hopes cafés and restaurants will spring up there.
“Along Mt. Hermon Road, the plan introduces an orchard to break up the existing commercial pattern and create a softer, more natural entry experience in an area that is otherwise largely commercial,” Robson said. “A major focus for us is creating open space that feels natural to the site and welcoming to residents.”
The project is expected to feature a 1.5-acre park, with additional open space throughout the neighborhood.
“The shared-use path running from Mt. Hermon to Lockewood is part of that effort, offering a safe and continuous walking and biking connection through the project and linking the Whispering Pines and Lockewood neighborhoods to Mt. Hermon and beyond,” Robson said. “We’re looking forward to submitting our updated plans to the City at the start of the new year.”
In the meantime, Muth will be gathering people’s stories about Valley Gardens’ past, for her official collection of memories.
To share your stories about Valley Gardens Golf Course, email Debbie Muth at de*********@*******al.net.
