Fig Garden Golf Club is set to end golf operations at the end of the year

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fig Garden Golf Club is set to end golf operations at the end of the year.

Pro shop staff confirmed to ABC 30 that December 31st will be the last day the course will be open. The driving range, chipping/putting greens and restaurant/bar will remain open for a time that's still to be determined.

18-year-old Jarod King is a recent Fresno High grad working at the golf club in guest and outdoor services. He says the temporary position is paving the way to his dream job.

"It provides me with a decent amount of money that I can save up so that I can go to lifeguard training," said King.

But pretty soon Jarod will have to get a check from somewhere else.

After the owner, David Knott announced in this letter that the golf course will close at the end of the year.

Bill Storey has been coming here since 1958.

He was 5-years-old then and has watched the history showcased on the walls reveal itself over the years.

For him losing the club is like losing family.

"You can be away for five years cause that happens and you show back up and you are welcomed right back in that's just the way this place is, it's an amazing place and it's so sad to see it go," said Storey.

In the letter, the owner says a decline of interest in golf along with increasing operational costs led him to make the difficult decision to shut down the family business that employs more than a dozen workers.

Fresno City councilmember Steve Brandau says it is tough seeing one of very few public golf courses leave his district.

"We have a lot of golf courses that require membership but this one anybody can come play so it's kind of sad to see a public golf course closing down," said Brandau.

But King says he is thankful for the opportunity and the time to find a new job.

"Thank you for hiring me and letting me get the notice ahead of time instead of just waiting till the last minute," said King.

According to the course's website, Gordon Knott founded the club back in 1958.