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Two of the most revered courses in Southern California will never look better, thanks to a $13 million renovation. Both the Eisenhower and Babe courses, which comprise Industry Hills Golf Club, will benefit greatly from the massive $50 million overhaul of what was once a fairly standard hotel into the Pacific Palms Conference Resort, one of the premier facilities of its kind in the entire state. The Eisenhower Golf Course was renovated last year, with the 7,211-yard track receiving a state-of-the-art irrigation system, new bermuda turf on all the fairways and reshaped bunkers complete with a mix of Augusta white and desert tan sand. Renovations on the 6,821-yard Babe course are under way and will be finished in June. “Basically, the same things we did on the Ike we’re doing on the Babe,” Director of Golf Dave Youpa said. “We’re not changing the layout of either golf course because everyone loves them. But we have done a lot of landscaping and cleaning out of the brush areas and the like. And with the new irrigation system, we’re going to be able to control how every blade of grass is watered, which means conditions will be better and more beautiful than ever.” Along with the cosmetic changes, six green complexes were rebuilt on the Ike and five are being upgraded on the Babe. Additionally, a new back tee box was built on the seventh hole of the Babe Course. The par 3 will now measure more than 300 yards from the tips. “That’s the longest par 3 that we know of,” Youpa said. In March, the clubhouse moves into its brand new building, which will host a new bar and grill and a spa. A new cart staging area has also been built. “The whole resort has gone through such incredible changes the past few years and now, with the attention on the lower level, which is where the golf operations are, this is the best golfing experience in Southern California,” Youpa said. “I’ve been here 16 years and the renovations are absolutely spectacular. I just feel fortunate to watch all of this take place.” The changes to the golf course reflect the enormous overhaul at the Pacific Palms Resort, which has undergone nearly $50 million in improvements over the last six years, including $32 million to the actual hotel, which includes 45,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space and 292 guest rooms and suites. Unique setting sets Lost Canyons apart This 36-hole facility in eastern Ventura County is only a half-hour from downtown Los Angeles, it but might as well be a plane ride away. “Both of these courses are unique in that they are so beautiful and serene,” said marketing consultant David Murphy. “The Sky Course runs along the ridge lines of the Santa Susana Mountains and the Shadow Course flows through the valley. You won’t find these views and serenity at any course in California, or maybe the country for that matter.” Each of the Pete Dye-Fred Couples-designed tracks have five sets of tees but if you want one of the toughest challenges in golf, play from the tips of the 7,250-yard Sky Course. With a slope rating among the toughest in the country, it’s a formidable challenge. Lost Canyons Golf Club recently celebrated its sixth anniversary and director of golf Jay Colliatie said it’s bounced back nicely from the industry-wide downturn of the past couple of years. “The courses are in great shape, we’re excited about the spring and we’ve had a spike in play,” he said. “I really couldn’t tell you why, but we’re getting more play and a great deal more outings.” The course is offering a winter green fee special on the Shadow Course through March 4. The pre-twilight rates Tuesday through Thursday are $65, while the twilight rate on those days is $49. On Saturday and Sunday, twilight rates are $60. A novel golf tournament comes to the course March 18, the “Murph’s St. Patti’s Day Three-Person Scramble.” “These types of events are huge in Ohio, Indiana and the rest of the Midwest,” Murphy said. “Golfers drive for hours to play them. They are a lot of fun and, if they play well, you can make some big bucks.” Each three-person team (men and women can play) must have a combined, verifiable handicap of 20 or more. One club professional per team is allowed. The field is limited to 30 teams and the sign-up deadline is March 15. The cost is $200 per player. The first-place team receives $3,300, the second-place team receives $1,800 and the third-place team gets $1,200, based on a minimum of 20 teams. The event starts at 10 a.m. on the Sky Course. After the round, green beer and homemade Irish food will be served. For more details, call (805) 522-4653 or visit www.lostcanyons.com. California Country Club provides a long and challenging test At 6,812 yards and a par of 72, this Whittier course ranks among the longest of any private club in Southern California. Opened in 1956, the course was designed by William F. Bell. It’s a traditional course in that there isn’t a great deal of elevation, a minimum of water hazards and several parallel fairways. The length makes it stand out from the pack of private clubs in the San Gabriel Valley, but so does its status as a non-equity club. There are no assessments charged to members and there is no responsibility for managing the course. In exchange for the freedom from financial and administrative pressures, the club opens for outside tournament play on Thursday, Friday and Monday, the additional revenue helping keep membership prices down. The club offers three individual membership plans: three, six and 12 years, along with corporate memberships. Montebello Country Club is an oldie, but goodie It may not get the attention of other old-school Southern California tracks like Riviera Country Club or Brookside Golf Course, but golfers have teed up on this city of Montebello-owned track since 1928. That means a variety of trees and densely grown-in conditions, both of which can be hard to find elsewhere in Southern California. David Rainville remodeled the course in 1999, and added two lakes and rebuilt all the greens. But, as far as layout, it remains the course that generations have played. “It’s not hard to walk this course, since there isn’t a whole lot of elevation and you won’t find any blind holes or trick shots,” head professional Tommy Camacho said. Camacho said golfers appreciate the always well-maintained course as well as the homey feeling that a city-run course embodies. “We’re more laid back than a lot of courses you might see,” he said. “Here, you’re not a number, you’re a name. We’re very user-friendly and we have a large enough facility to have a lot of tournaments, but the service never makes you feel you’re just part of a big crowd.” From now through early spring, the course offers a $20 twilight special that begins at 1 p.m. during the week. Business as usual at Trump National It’s business as usual at this gem of a golf course positioned on ocean bluffs in Rancho Palos Verdes. And that means big business. Trump National has been filled with outtings, tournaments and recreational golfers hoping to experience The Donald’s creation. While the golfing experience is one of the most sun-drenched and scenic in the entire state, there’s a lot more to Trump National than merely golf. Two upcoming special dining nights at Trump’s, the restaurant, include a Valentine’s Dinner Theater and show on February 16. The $95 all-inclusive price includes a three-course dinner, complete with filet mignon and lobster tail, and a performance of A.R. Gurney’s popular two-person play, “Love Letters.” Then on March 7, the restaurant hosts a “Lobster Maine-ia Dinner.” For $40, diners can dig into lobster cooked one of three different ways. |
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