Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
The Golfing Nomad
|
||||
 The par-5 18th at Empire Lakes is a classic risk-reward finishing hole (Photo: Eddie Meeks) One such track is Rancho Cucamonga’s Empire Lakes Golf Course, a fun-filled test that played host to the Nationwide Tour’s Mark Christopher Charity Classic for five years beginning in 2003. And while the course is challenging enough to test some of the game’s best players, it also can be enjoyed by a bunch of bogey golfers like the ones in our group. Patience is a virtue With six sets of tees, Empire Lakes plays anywhere from 5,200 to 7,034 yards. We chose the lengthy but manageable blue tees at 6,628 yards. The par-72 layout sports rolling, contoured fairways where placement off the tee is essential to posting a good score. Miss a fairway even by just a few yards and you’ll find yourself playing from ankle-deep rough. My advice if this happens? Don’t be greedy. Take your medicine and get the ball back into play — or you may wind up like one of my playing partners who slashed his way to a round-killing 10 on the 382-yard, dogleg-right 10th hole. It’s equally important to stay patient on the greens — as I discovered following one too many three-jabs. While not heavily contoured, the putting surfaces feature sometimes subtle, sometimes severe slopes that require a deft touch and steady nerves. For the thrill of it One of Palmer’s trademarks — both as a player and a designer — is his ability to thrill. He accomplishes this at Empire Lakes with a smorgasbord of tee shots and approaches, no two of which are alike. From the blind opening drive to the risk-reward decisions on the tees of the third and fourth holes — both short, par-4 doglegs filled with peril — Palmer grabs your attention right away while presenting golden scoring opportunities. The course starts to show its teeth on the all-carry-over-water seventh hole, a 194-yard par 3 where afternoon breezes can wreak havoc on a solid round. Another challenge soon presents itself on the 407-yard, par-4 ninth hole, where big hitters must be wary of a lake that guards the left side of the fairway and protects the green from about 150 yards in. The 12th hole is no cupcake, either. At 449 yards, it’s the longest par 4 on the course and requires distance and accuracy with the driver in order to have a realistic shot at reaching the green. But Palmer saves his best for last. The 214-yard, par-3 17th is a brutal penultimate hole that plays into a cross wind to a green protected by bunkers in front. When the pin is tucked in the right-hand corner, four is a decent score. The round concludes with a make-or-break 490-yard par 5 where the putting surface is once again guarded by a lake. In classic Palmer fashion, it takes guts to go for this green in two. Rates and information Green fees range from $60 during the week to $90 on weekends, with additional savings available on mid-day, twilight and super-twilight times. Also find discounts on Click4TeeTimes.com. Membership programs are available, too. For more information: (909) 481-6663 or visit empirelakes.com. |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Great thniking! That really breaks the mold!
| Comment at 6/4/2011 |
2GqPeH , [url=http://tfbstuhkurmf.com/]tfbstuhkurmf[/url], [link=http://tqwnbhiclshn.com/]tqwnbhiclshn[/link], http://qmhvgbczywxe.com/
| Comment at 6/6/2011 |
KEjBr7 , [url=http://pmvrfhxjvatr.com/]pmvrfhxjvatr[/url], [link=http://vkqphxxtpjbn.com/]vkqphxxtpjbn[/link], http://kpweklrldviv.com/
| Comment at 6/9/2011 |
