For the last 18 months, the only sounds emanating from the old Olivas Park Golf Course were from bulldozers and other heavy machinery as work proceeded on creating a new and very different championship golf course in Ventura.

But on Tuesday morning, the more familiar sound of golf balls being struck by golf clubs could be heard all over the property as the new Olivas Links officially opened for business.

The course was closed in October 2005 to undergo a $9.5 million overhaul.

At 6:10 a.m., Ron Lee, Keiron Ryan, Tom Ball and Terry Ball stepped to the first tee and blasted their drives down the fairway, becoming the first golfers to officially play the new Olivas Links.

Ironically, this same foursome was the last group to play the old Olivas Park before it was shut down for renovation.

"It's really nice," Lee said. "The front needs some work. It's going to take some time for some spots to grow in.

"But the back nine is just gorgeous. There are some tough holes. No. 16, is a long par-4 (479 from the back tees) that plays into the wind. It's tough."

Terry Ball said her favorite aspect of the new course is the greens.

"The greens are fantastic," Ball said. "They roll really true."

Lee and Ryan each finished their inaugural rounds with 12-over 84s, which at that point made them the course record-holders.

That lasted for about five minutes before Oxnard's Karson Chavez posted a 7-over 79.

Lee's positive comments were echoed by most golfers who were on hand for the grand opening.

Oxnard's Jess Beltran said he loved the old Olivas, playing it from the day it opened until the day it closed.

But after getting his first look at the new design, Beltran is happy Ventura officials opted to spend the money on the course overall.

"I think it's great," Beltran said. "There is no such thing as an easy hole, but the layout is fantastic.

"I played the old Olivas from the first day. I like this better. It's more interesting."

The positive feedback was music to the ears of Ventura's golf services manager Greg Gilmer, who has spent the last two years overseeing the construction.

While the process took a little longer than originally anticipated, Gilmer called it a labor of love.

"It's a little bittersweet," Gilmer said as he accepted congratulations from golfers for a job well done. "It's like seeing your daughter go to the prom. You like to see it, but you don't want to see it.

"It's a little painful to see people on my golf course. I really believe once the residents start playing it, and seeing what we have here, they are going to be thrilled."

Head professional Carl-Van Vallier said all morning he heard from golfers how happy they were to have one of their favorite golf courses back in business.

As golfers arrived, Vallier said they would stand on the edge of the golf course, wearing somewhat puzzled looks on their faces as they tried to find some familiar remnants of the old Olivas Park.

But there are really none to be found.

The new course has a completely different look and feel. Gilmer described the old Olivas as an airport runway with grass, a layout which allowed golfers to spray the ball all over the course without fear of getting themselves in trouble.

That's not the case with the course that opened on Tuesday.

"Now you have to think your way through every shot and each hole has a different character," Gilmer said. "It's how the game is supposed to be played. This course will show you how good you are.

"The front nine has a distinct feel, it's a little more open. The back nine is a little more wooded, tighter and more doglegs. It gets tougher as you go on."

Bob Beltran discovered some of the new native grass during his round and saw how penalizing it can be.

"I hit it in there and took almost 10 minutes looking for my ball, but I never found it," Beltran said. "I did it again on the next hole and didn't even bother looking."

Javier Herrera, who played with Beltran, said he likes the course, but not the increased green fees.

During the week, the cost is $35 for city residents and $41 for county residents. On weekends, it costs city residents $41 while county residents will be charged $49.

"It's a little too expensive," Herrera said. "The price will keep me from playing here as much as I would if it cost less."

Gilmer said he understands no one likes paying more to play, but said he feels most players will find they are still getting a good value for their money.

While the course and practice facilities are done, there is still some work to be completed, most notably building a permanent clubhouse.

Gilmer said he's hoping that can be done in the next six to seven months.

"I've been anxious all the way through the process," Gilmer said. "But the end result is phenomenal. Our dreams have become reality."