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-Irvin S. Cobb |
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 “With the condition of the golf course like it is and the three distinct nines that we have, the more people play Moorpark, the more they really like it and want to come back,” said PGA director of golf and general manager Steve Vigiano. The semi-private, 27-hole venue is open to the public, but also has a special membership offer available through June 15, where potential members can join for a $7,500 one-time fee that includes an easy installment plan. Moorpark Country Club is nestled in the heart of Ventura County's equestrian, citrus and avocado ranch countryside, which provides a peaceful setting for golf. “One of the great things about Moorpark is that you can sit out on the patio after your round, have a drink, relax and get the feeling that you're in Tuscany,” said membership director Leslie Moore. Besides the pristine challenges of the Creekside, Canyon Crest and Ridgeline nines, another incentive for membership is the new member’s-only clubhouse, which opened last September and features luxurious amenities like a sauna and a bar. For more information: (805) 532-2834 or moorparkgolf.com. AT LOS ROBLES GREENS, ‘FUN’ IS THE THEME With picturesque views of the Conejo Valley and dozens of stately oak trees lining the fairways, Los Robles Greens Golf Course can be counted among the most scenic venues in the Los Angeles area. Beauty aside, Los Robles is simply about having a great time. “It truly has a great vibe,” said Lee Harlow, regional manager for Eagle Golf, which oversees the property. “It’s all about having fun, and we hear that from golfers all the time.” The Thousand Oaks course makes it a point to have a blender on the beverage cart — a logical but rare feature — and now offers patrons the chance to purchase “sand and seed” pitchers of margaritas. There’s even a friendly Friday afternoon game every week at 4 p.m. with a pot of money for the winners. Teams of four or five players compete in a 9-hole scramble, but it’s not necessarily the most serious forum — beverages usually flow, and teams hit simultaneously. Birdie opportunities can be found at Los Robles, but golfers certainly have to earn them. The par-70, 6,274-yard track isn’t overly long, but the oak trees create narrow sight lines and the undulating greens demand your full attention. “It’s a shotmaker’s course, for sure. Don’t let the yardage fool you too much — there are some holes with plenty of yardage, and you need to drive the ball accurately,” said Harlow. Eagle Golf also manages two other prime layouts located in Ventura, just north of Los Angeles. Olivas Links, formerly Olivas Park, has been open for a year after a substantial renovation project. A similar overhaul took place at Buenaventura Golf Course, which has been restored as one of the Southland’s top municipal layouts. For more information on Los Robles Greens: (805) 495-6421 or losroblesgreens.com. SANTA ANITA AND WHITTIER NARROWS REMAIN FAVORITES IN NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES Both situated in the San Gabriel Valley, Santa Anita and Whittier Narrows are two of the most popular tracks in Los Angeles County. Santa Anita Golf Course, which was recognized as the 2007 facility of the year for the county system, is in the process of raising each of its par-3 tees and should complete construction this month. If those renovations are well received, the county could modify all the tees in that fashion. The par-71 track isn’t overly long, but rolling hills and large trees provide plenty of adventure. “It’s a fun, older golf course to play that’s not too punishing,” said assistant professional Rupert Vahey. “You have enough short holes, but then you have enough tougher holes here that you feel like it’s not a piece of cake. It’s user-friendly.” Whittier Narrows Golf Course just completed some renovations of its own. The 27-hole Rosemead property has new green complexes on the third, fifth and sixth holes of the Pine nine, and the third green has been relocated to create a par 4 that doglegs more to the right. “There’s now a whole different angle on that hole,” said Robert Alaan, PGA apprentice general manager. “It’s a little bit longer and a little bit more difficult.” Whittier Narrows also is working on creating more well-defined fairway and rough lines — not necessarily making the rough really thick, just adding definition to the holes. “We decided it’s better for the golf course. It just adds more character to it,” Alaan said. For more information: Santa Anita, (626) 447-7156; Whittier Narrows, (626) 288-1044; parks.co.la.ca.us/golfcourses.html. NEW RESTAURANT AND MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM CREATING EXCITEMENT AT INDUSTRY HILLS The Pacific Palms Resort, featuring Industry Hills Golf Club, is one of the most complete golf destinations in Southern California. It’s also one of the most state-of-the-art, with $60 million in renovations now complete. The final phase of construction is set to be unveiled this month, as the upscale eatery Red opens at Pacific Palms. “This really offers a unique signature dining opportunity in an area with only a few great restaurants,” said Pacific Palms general manager John Gress. “For those playing golf on one of our championship courses, Red offers a championship dining experience as well.” The refurbished Ike and Babe tracks are in great shape and continue to earn rave reviews from locals and tourists. The reception has been so strong that the City of Industry property has decided to put a cap on its membership. For an annual fee of about $500 and a commitment of either one, two or three years, members can get discounts on green fees and resort products and amenities. Missing from the process is a hefty initiation fee. “The economics of private club usage simply doesn’t make sense to a growing number of people,” said Pacific Palms vice president and managing director Bob Nelson. “We have filled a void that allows club-style membership with all the amenities of a high-end resort at a price that provides exceptional value.” There are only about 300 memberships available as the cap of 1,500 approaches. For more information: (626) 810-4653 or ihgolfclub.com. CHEN ENJOYING NEW ROLE AT STERLING HILLS Betty Chen, formerly of Rancho Cucamonga’s Empire Lakes Golf Course, is the new PGA head professional at Camarillo’s Sterling Hills Golf Club. “I just wanted to try something different,” Chen said. “I love working at Sterling Hills because of the challenge, and it has great potential.” The course is a par-72 layout designed by Robert Muir Graves and Damian Pascuzzo that can stretch more than 6,800 yards from the tips. There also is a full-service practice area, Spanish-style clubhouse with wedding and banquet facilities and a well-stocked pro shop. Sterling Hills has an array of membership options. For country club members seeking another home course to play on Mondays, there is an annual pass for that day that costs $950 per year. Green fees on other weekdays are $45, which also is the guest fee rate. The pass also grants 10 percent off pro shop merchandise. A monthly membership of unlimited golf costs $400 this month and $500 in summer months. There also are two annual membership options: a weekday pass for $3,600 and an everyday pass for $5,400. What separates these passes from others is that the price decreases each renewal year. For example, the third year of the daily pass would cost $4,150. “That’s something different that we do that normally doesn’t happen,” Chen said. For more information: (805) 987-3446 or sterlinghillsgolf.com. LAKEWOOD AND CHESTER WASHINGTON ARE TWO GREAT VALUES IN SOUTH COUNTY Whether you’re looking for an affordable round or a break from traffic on the 405, look no further than Lakewood and Chester Washington, two of Los Angeles County’s most popular venues. Lakewood Golf Course is certainly one of the longer tracks in the county system, as the par-72 layout plays 6,739 yards from the tips. Much of that length is on the par 3s: Nos. 5 and 12 both stretch over 200 yards, while No. 17 is 197 yards. In addition to golf, Lakewood boasts superb banquet facilities. There are three rooms to choose from, and as many as 250 people can be accommodated. “We do everything from weddings, social events and anniversaries to business meetings,” said general manager Gary Kossick. “It’s a great place to hold an event.” [For banquet information, call (562) 421-0550, ext. 21.] Chester Washington Golf Course, which is close to Hawthorne and Gardena, is a shorter test, measuring 6,321 yards from the tips at a par of 70. Kyle Mitchell, who has served as the property’s general manager since March, is enjoying his new role and is pleased with the course. “I love it,” said Mitchell. “It’s in a great area, and it’s always in great condition.” Two of the track’s toughest holes are the seventh and ninth, a pair of par 4s which both play over 400 yards. For more information: Chester Washington at (323) 756-6975; Lakewood at (562) 421-3741; parks.co.la.ca.us/golfcourses.html. FOUR NEW GREENS AND IMPROVED LANDSCAPING SPRUCE UP ROYAL VISTA Walnut’s Royal Vista Golf Club recently installed four new greens: holes 1, 7 and 8 on the North layout and No. 9 on the East. In addition to upgrading some of its indoor clubhouse infrastructure, Royal Vista also has enhanced the property’s aesthetics with new landscaping. Royal Vista’s three nines — North, South and East — give newer patrons the chance for different playing experiences as they get acquainted with the course. While no combination is overly difficult, rolling hills and doglegs present continuing challenges. This quickly becomes evident on the North’s first hole. “You’ve got to carry a lake and also negotiate sloped terrain. You’re not going to have a level lie in the fairway,” said PGA general manager Don Crooker. “It’s a very tough first hole.” Royal Vista’s green fees never exceed $40 for walkers, and it’s also a convenient place to practice because the driving range is lit and open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information: (909) 595-7441 or larv.com. NINE IS FINE AT ALTADENA, EATON CANYON It seems that an 18-hole round lasts from three to six hours these days. But there’s always time for nine at either Altadena or Eaton Canyon. “It’s a good alternative to an 18-hole golf course,” said PGA manager Doug Colliflower. “That’s the unique attribute we have.” Both tracks are off the 210 freeway, about 10 minutes from each other. The courses are in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offer patrons pleasant playing environments. Altadena’s par-36 layout stretches as long as 2,995 yards, while Pasadena’s Eaton Canyon is about 100 yards shorter and is a par 35. There are four sets of tees at each venue. Each course has generous landing areas in the fairways and greens that require some thought. “The golf courses we have offer some challenge, but they’re not Mission: Impossible, either,” Colliflower said. For more information: (626) 797-3821 (Altadena), (626) 794-6773 (Eaton Canyon), or dcgolf.info. PATRONS CONTINUE TO REAP PLAYERS CLUB BENEFITS AT TIERRA REJADA As one of the top high-end, daily-fee facilities in the Los Angeles area, Tierra Rejada Golf Club also has one of the top annual discount programs. For $100, men, women, seniors, and those in military, fire and law enforcement receive significant savings on green fees and merchandise, and Players Club members can earn a free trip around the course after seven paid rounds. “The Players programs have been very well-received,” said PGA director of operations Perry Leslie. “We sell one or two of them almost every single day.” Another great offer at Tierra Rejada is a 2-for-1 couples special: On any day after 3 p.m., a couple can save 50 percent off a pair of twilight green fees. The par-72 layout, which can stretch up to 7,015 yards, has been in superb shape as of late. It’s also had a slightly different look recently: Certain areas, like grass around the tee boxes, have grown in more lushly, and fairway and rough lines are being mowed straighter. The net result is a more traditional feel. “I think golfers are interested in seeing that natural look. I’m a big lover of [golf in] Scotland, and I’ve taken a little bit of that and put it into play,” said Leslie. Recently, there also was some work done on the fourth hole — a group of bunkers was removed to improve pace of play and enhance playability. Basically, the old sand bunkers are now grass bunkers. “If you want to look as natural as you possibly can, grass bunkers make a lot more sense,” said Leslie. For more information: (805) 531-9300 or tierrarejadagolf.com. |
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