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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Golfing Nomad
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 Nestled in the heart of Temecula’s wine country is a rolling landscape of golf creativity. Redhawk Golf Course combines imaginative design and solid, straightforward play to make a great test of golf. The course designed by Ron Fream, a name that pops up often in Southern California golf design, opens with a 465-yard par-5. From the white tees the hole actually rewards a player for not taking out driver on what would appear to be a very reachable par-5. A meandering creek and narrow fairway make this a three-shot hole from virtually every set of tees. The par-3s are hands down the highlights of the front nine. The 110-yard, par-3 4th is a test to your patience and accuracy. With four separate tiers to set the flag, accuracy is at a premium. Play to the wrong tier and a three-putt will be staring you in the face. The 130-yard, par-3 8th is the signature hole on the course. A massive island green set across a large stone bridge again places a premium on the player’s ability to hit the ball close. Off line approaches can leave you with a long, sharply breaking putt. Miss the green entirely and your ball likely will be wet. The back nine features more solid, straightforward golf. The 305-yard, par-4 14th hole is another inventive design. Players will want to leave themselves about 100 yards in for the approach to a green that looks as if an actual elephant was buried beneath it. With the pin on the bottom tier, it’s fun to play your approach into the steep backstop in the middle of the green and watch the ball roll back to the cup. The round closes with another wildly imaginative par-5. Again, at only 465 yards, you would think it’s a sure birdie, but the hole is so narrow, the joke is that players must walk single file down the fairway. Lay-up short of the creek that bisects the fairway, then play short of the creek that fronts the green to leave yourself an approach where you can attack the flag. With great conditions and a beautiful setting, Redhawk Golf Course in Temecula is a fantastic place to spend a golf day. Rates range from $30 to $90. Visit redhawkgolfcourse.com for special deals and programs to play one of the most creative golf courses in the Southland. By the Numbers 75.4 Course rating from the back tees. 0 The number of bunkers on the 375-yard, par-4 16th hole. Quite impressive considering there are 73 pits of sandy doom to be found on the other 17 holes. 4 Ever have a four-tier putt? The par-3 4th has four legitimate tiers for some wild pin placements. 63 Men’s course record score set by Ken Einolander. 480 The length of the par-4 9th hole from the Gold tees. With an uphill approach into the green, only the bombers can get home in two on this beast of a hole. 2008 Last time the course hosted the historic California State Open Championship. The state’s oldest professional championship boasts past winners including Jason Gore (2004, 1997), Kirk Triplett (1991), Dennis Paulson (1996, ‘90), Roger Maltbie (1974) and Walter Hagan (1915). |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Redhawk is a challenge and the design of the course is what I would expect having such a great piece of property to work with. But to say Redhawk is in great condition is far from the truth. Fairways are dead, the greens are overly hard, it is hard to put a tee in the ground, play is extremely slow, sand traps don't have sand, and the cart paths could use some maintenance. This has been the situation for the last year. I think someone should rethink giving Redhawk such praises. Paying for advertising does not make up for poor conditions.
I have played golf for 50+ years and know when I see a great golf course. This is not one.
| Comment at 2/6/2012 |
