Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
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"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing" |
-Dave Barry |
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 Dos Lagos in Corona, which is scheduled to open this month, looks a lot like the courses I've imagined in my head over the years. The Matt Dye design, the latest effort from the Dye family, is playable, entertaining, creative and fun. LAY OF THE LAND Like a new love interest, it's hard to find a flaw in this course. The layout combines the best features of some of my favorite area courses. It has the playability and openness of Goose Creek and the park-like feel of the PGA Golf Club or Tustin Ranch. It's not long from the back tees at 6,544 yards, and the white tees measure only 6,002 yards, so a set of tees in between would be beneficial. The only blemish is the 16th hole, a nondescript 376-yard par-4 that slithers up the mountainside, making it the most visible hole from the nearby 15 Freeway. The rest of the layout is sheer joy, however. The course is wide open in spots, with bail-out areas for nearly every tee shot. A creek runs through the property, creating a sense of rural serenity, and there are three lakes that come into play as well. In most cases, when a hazard is on one side of the fairway, there is room to spare on the other. THE FRONT NINE The natural topography is brilliant. A swale in the fairway on the 395-yard, par-4 second hole will kick your ball forward if you can catch it right. The 188-yard, par-3 third hole is guarded by a hazard on the right, but there's a slope left of the green that will send your ball toward the putting surface. It is one of three excellent par-3s on the front nine against one par-5. If fact, one of my favorite things about the course is that each of its six par-3s require a different club off the tee. The sixth hole is the toughest test on the front nine. The 436-yard par-4 bends gently to the right where the fairway falls off toward a water hazard that borders the landing area. The green is slightly elevated, so an extra club might be necessary on your approach shot. THE BACK NINE The back nine opens with a 401-yard par-4 and a beautiful tee shot over the creek, which continues down the right side of the hole. That hole is followed by a 236-yard, par-3. The green appears to have a dinosaur buried under it. Keep the ball under the hole with a front pin location or risk having an impossible chip or putt down the slope. The round concludes with an excellent risk-reward par-5. At 533 yards, it may appear too long to get home in two, especially with a lake guarding the right side of the hole. But with the slope of the fairway, don't discount your chances. Dos Lagos makes a great first impression. I'm already looking forward to my second and third. SG Dos Lagos is at 2504 Weirick Road in Corona. Green fees are $44-$69, with a weekday senior rate of $38. Call (951) 277-8787 or visit doslagosgolf.com. |
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