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San Juan Hills is getting better all the time San Juan Hills is one of the older, more traditional tracks in Orange County, but a few years ago the course underwent a significant renovation and has been rejuvenated as one of the local favorites. Even with the general face-lift in 2003, the San Juan Capistrano facility is still tinkering to make the experience as pleasurable as possible for golfers, including recently installed carpet and furniture in the clubhouse. “We’re constantly upgrading,” said director of golf John Hendricks. “We re-did all of the bathrooms and the bunkers and planted some new trees. We’re always trying to stay one step ahead of the game." San Juan Hills is an excellent course for beginners. The par-71 layout does not sport tremendous length, but the narrow fairways put a premium on accuracy. Affordable green fees ($30-$47, cart included) add to the allure. (949) 493-1167 or www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com. Ocean setting adds to beauty at Monarch Beach Focus is required when playing Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. Nestled up to the Pacific Ocean, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout will test your game and stimulate your senses. “Our location makes us one of the most unique courses in Orange County,” said General Manager Alan Deck. Playing to a par 70, Monarch Beach requires accurate tee shots and a deft touch on the undulating greens. Those playing from the tips will face challenging conditions off the tee, as seven of the 10 par-4s are at least 400 yards long. The links feel of the layout is amplified by subtle elevation changes and sloping fairways. And, as the sun gradually sets during the day, the winds pick up and the feel of Scottish golf is even more prevalent. Monarch Beach has a Links Club Program that allows members to receive discounts on merchandise, lessons and green fees. Included in the $450 annual membership fee is the opportunity for a patron to bring up to seven guests for a round, at discounted rates. “I believe that people would want to come out and play not only for the oceanfront setting and the challenge, but also the unparalleled service we provide,” Deck said. (949) 240-8247 or www.monarchbeachgolf.com. The Hills provide many thrills in Anaheim Located about 20 minutes from Disneyland, Anaheim Hills Golf Club might not provide the adrenaline rush that can be found on some of the amusement park’s roller coasters. But there is one thing the course and the coasters have in common — elevation changes. Anaheim Hills isn’t the longest of layouts, as the par-71 track plays about 6,250 yards from the championship tees. However, the rises and drops in the terrain can make it difficult to judge distances, especially when negotiating the many doglegs. “The golf course is very challenging,” said Director of Golf Bob Johns. “It has a lot of elevation changes and the classic California terrain with big, old oaks.” Because of the hilly conditions, carts are required for players over 18 years of age. Considering the overall challenge and quality conditions, the green fees (never more than $60, cart included) represent one of the best values in Orange County. In addition to the solid course, the facility has a clubhouse that includes large meeting rooms and a sports bar. (714) 998-3014 or www.anaheim.net. Buzz on Arroyo Trabuco is spreading fast When Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club opened in 2004, the course generated buzz because of its co-design by Tom Lehman and Casey O’Callaghan. People are still feeling good vibrations about the overall playing experience. “We try to give the public a feeling that they’re members,” said Director of Operations Peter Dalkas. “We feel that we’re the private club for the public player, but we don’t want to be branded as a public course.” The Mission Viejo course, which plays to over 7,000 yards from the back tees, has undulating fairways and water features that are attractive, yet hazardous for errant shots. But the overall playability of the layout works well for all skill levels. “We have rough but it’s short and easy to play out of,” Dalkas said. “The fairways are generous, and we always maintain the greens at a really good pace.” Every Thursday is “Fast Thursday” at Arroyo Trabuco, when golfers who play the first six holes in less than an hour and 15 minutes earn five “Trabuco Bucks” to use at the course. Another fun promotion is held at O’Neill’s Bar and Grill, where the first draft beer or soda costs the score you posted, so an 84 gets you an 84-cent beverage. (949) 305-5100 or www.arroyotrabuco.com. Superior service is a staple at Tustin Ranch The staff at Tustin Ranch Golf Club play a big part in the overall experience for golfers. “Our employees here are very intricate in providing the guest with superior service,” said Director of Golf James Spadoni. “We feel like that sets us apart.” The par-72 layout has five sets of tees, ranging from 5,263 to 6,804 yards, and the conditions are typically top-notch. “We take a lot of pride in our greens as being among the best in Orange County,” Spadoni said. The GPS systems on carts can be programmed to display instructions in five languages, and Tustin Ranch has a caddie service for players who want to walk instead of ride. In addition to golf, Tustin Ranch has emerged as a community gathering point. The venue is hosting comedy nights through April and concerts from May to October on the third Thursday of each month. “When you have the facilities and the ownership that really believes in the community, and look long-term for the community, that’s really key,” Spadoni said. (714) 730-1611 or www.tustinranchgolf.com. Upgrades give Old Ranch a whole new feel Old Ranch Country Club, which opened in 1967, was significantly updated this decade and now sports one of the most attractive layouts in Orange County. The non-equity club’s location in Seal Beach makes it perfect for players who live in Orange County and Los Angeles County. “Our location is very important to us and our members,” said General Manager Peter Lam. The par-72 track designed by Ted Robinson Sr. has four sets of tees and is a challenging test. Featuring about 22 acres of water, Old Ranch places a premium on accuracy regardless of what type of shot golfers face. Robinson helped overhaul the course about five years ago, and the results have been well-received. In addition to being a popular charity tournament site, Old Ranch has been named a regional qualifying site for the 2008 U.S. Amateur. The course offers an introductory membership fee of $5,000 ($4,000 membership fee, $1,000 initiation fee) that provides the same privileges as a regular membership, and the cost can be used as a credit for those who decide to join the club after the annual period. “It’s a great way for people to just try it out for a year,” Lam said. (562) 596-4425 or www.oldranch.com. Black Gold is a great asset Course architect Arthur Hills had a beautiful piece of land to work with at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. “The views here aren’t as common compared to other courses in Southern California,” said General Manager Eric Lohman. “The features on the course combine to make it very aesthetically pleasing.” When visibility is good, players can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Perhaps the best chance for sightseeing is on the tee of the par-4 12th hole, which marks the highest point on any course in Orange County. There isn’t much deception off the tee at Black Gold, and players aren’t required to drive the ball a mile to have a chance for success. “Each of the par-5s is reachable. All of the bunkers have grass faces, so you have a good chance getting your ball out the first time,” Lohman said. A new entrance route will be built this year, but the process shouldn’t hinder quality of play, and Lohman also is examining a more assertive policy on pace of play. “We hope to be more at the forefront of those types of things,” he said. (714) 961-0060 or www.blackgoldgolf.com. Golfers can get nostalgic at Pacific The names Royal Lytham, Carnoustie and Muirfield bring images of old-fashioned golf on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. However, golfers in Southern California have the opportunity to feel that nostalgia next to the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Golf and Country Club, a 27-hole facility in San Clemente, has three nines bearing the name of one of the legendary aforementioned Scottish links layouts. All are par-36 and have five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels. Three-time British Open champion Gary Player designed the tracks in a part of Orange County known for its breathtaking landscape. “The terrain in San Clemente has a lot to do with the course layout,” said head professional Mark Boselo. With narrow fairways and sloping terrain, the combinations of nines require accurate driving and precise approaches to smallish greens. And in the afternoon, the wind picks up and makes navigating the course even more tricky. “In the afternoon the course plays quite a bit different,” Boselo said. “I think better players find it pretty challenging.” (949) 498-3771 or www.pacificgc.com. Relaxation is part of the package at Talega The county’s biggest water hazard — the Pacific Ocean — is a few miles away, but Talega Golf Club co-designers Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley Inc. sprinkled water features throughout the layout to test the accuracy of players and give the course a relaxing feel. “It’s a really top-notch track,” said general manager David Foster. “We make our players feel like we know we’re running a leisure-type business.” The course’s location in San Clemente is ideal because of the temperate climate and cool breezes. Set against a natural canyon backdrop, the layout is enhanced by white marble sand in the bunkers. “That’s pretty unique in California,” Foster said. “It’s the same type of sand used at Augusta National.” Not only is the par-72 track looking to remain one of the top venues in the area, but Talega is also seeking to gain a reputation as one of the top teaching facilities. A driving range, designed to look like holes on a course as opposed to targets with flagsticks, has been built, and clinics for women and juniors have been established. (949) 369-6226 or www.talegagolfclub.com. At Newport Beach, champions are made Newport Beach Country Club celebrated its 50th birthday this decade, and the golf course is thriving in its golden years. As home to the Toshiba Classic for the past decade, the par-71 track has become a recognizable setting for golf fans across the nation. The presence of the Champ-ions Tour event has brought some positive renovations, adding to the beauty and sustainability of the layout. “It’s an old-style, traditional type course — it’s not your 21st century cookie-cutter design,” said head professional Paul Hahn. “Everything’s laid out in front of you. The ball goes where you hit it and you have to really rely on hitting different types of shots.” The course is one of the shorter layouts on the Champions Tour, but the putting surfaces keep scores in line. “Our greens are pretty tricky because the breaks are subtle,” Hahn said. Even though the course is private, it remains an Orange County jewel that can be appreciated by residents and those who relish the thrill of watching world-class golfers compete. (949) 644-9550 or www.newportbeachcc.com. Tijeras Creek is two top courses in one A round of golf at Tijeras Creek Golf Club is almost like playing two courses at once. While the front nine is fairly flat and straightforward, the back nine calls for a more strategic approach because of elevation changes and more natural hazards. “The course is in good shape from tee to green and it’s a challenge for golfers of all skill levels,” said director of golf Rob Heslar. “The facility has really matured.” The Rancho Santa Margarita course was designed by Ted Robinson Sr. and opened for play in 1990. The par-3 16th hole was named one of the best holes in Orange County by the Southern California PGA. Tijeras Creek has hosted numerous prominent tournaments, including the men’s and women’s flights of the Big West Conference Championship, set this year for April 22-24, and the SCGA Amateur Championship, which will be held on May 17. Tijeras Creek is revered for its views and layout. “The golf course itself is very unique, with all of the development of the trees and the healthiness of the landscape,” Heslar said. (949) 589-9793 or www.tijerascreek.com Stroll in Tiger’s tracks at Dad Miller Dad Miller Golf Course in Anaheim has gained fame because Tiger Woods played the course while he was in high school. The attention is understandable, but the course’s namesake was amazing in his own right. Though he didn’t take up the game until after his 50th birthday, Henry George “Dad” Miller played golf into his 90s. He even made a hole-in-one on the par-3 11th hole in 1970, when the facility was called Anaheim Municipal Golf Course. The layout has withstood the test of time and remains one of the most accommodating places to play in Orange County. “The course has a lot of playability,” said Director of Golf Bob Johns. “It’s a great course for beginners, juniors and seniors. The rounds are very quick and it’s not too challenging.” The par-71 course isn’t long, though accurate drives are needed on many holes because of tree-lined fairways. Still, longer hitters will find plenty of excitement trying to drive some of the par-4s — especially the fourth hole, which measures between 250 and 260 yards from the tee. The flat terrain, playability and scenery combine for a worthwhile experience. “It’s like going out and enjoying a nice leisurely walk in the park,” Johns said. (714) 998-3041 or www.anaheim.net. |
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