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 Its golf courses reflect the terrain — mountains and canyons to agricultural areas and the Pacific Ocean — and the location keeps the weather mild most of the year. “We have a range of courses that are all different, but I think if there’s one commonality it’s the temperature,” said Scott Miller, head professional at Moorpark Country Club. “We get the coastal breezes in the afternoon and that helps keep it cool. On average, I’d say we’re 5 to 8 degrees cooler than the Valley and Los Angeles. And, when it’s clear, you can see everything from the ocean to the Santa Monica Mountains. This county truly is a gorgeous place.” For years, Ventura County golf was primarily limited to municipal courses built before 1970. But high-end, daily-fee golf courses came onto the scene in the late 1990s and now some of the most praised courses in the region are in the eastern communities of Moorpark and Simi Valley. But even the quainter municipal courses have upgraded their facilities to attract golfers. “This is a tough market because we’re all going for the same golfers,” Miller said. “But while that makes it an interesting challenge for golf course operators, golfers are going to play great facilities that are a lot less (money) than they’d be somewhere else.” Camarillo Midway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Camarillo benefits from a temperate climate and ocean breezes, with temperatures rarely exceeding 90. Camarillo Springs Golf Course (805) 484-1075 www.camarillospringsgolf.com Green fees: $27-$52 One of the county’s most scenic courses, this Ted Robinson Sr.-designed course opened in 1972. With a rating of 70.8 and yardage just over 6,300 yards from the tips, the course won’t beat you up and can easily be walked. Last year, a new set of tees was added to increase the difficulty, with the fourth hole turned into a challenging par-5 and an elevated tee on the 15th green. Eleven of the holes play over or near water. Las Posas Country Club (805) 482-4518 One of the oldest tracks in the area, this private Lawrence Hughes-designed course opened in 1958. Two distinct nines await members and guests (the club allows reciprocal play with other private club members). The front is hilly and has narrow fairways; the back is flatter but well-bunkered. The course is 6,211 yards from the tips, but offers enough challenge to host the annual Corey Pavin Classic. Spanish Hills Country Club (805) 388-5000 • www.spanishhillscc.com This private club, designed by Robert Cupp in 1993, has a spectacular course and numerous amenities for members and guests. Featuring mountain, ocean and valley views, the course, stretching 6,749 yards from the tips, includes elevation changes, numerous bunkers, plenty of water and undulating greens. There’s also an extensive practice facility and all of the amenities associated with a private club. Sterling Hills Golf Club (805) 987-3446 www.sterlinghillsgolf.com Green fees: $43-$62 One of the newest courses in the region, this course is also one of the more challenging, especially from the tips. The course, which opened in 1999, measures 6,813 yards from the back tees but plays longer because of the topography. Undulating greens and contoured fairways, along with an emphasis on approach shots by designers Robert Muir Graves and Damian Pascuzzo, require decision-making and ball placement. Trees, water and bunkers await players on the first four holes, and two uphill par-5s and the toughest hole on the course, the par-4 17th, finish things up. The course also features a Spanish-style clubhouse with a 2,900-square-foot banquet area that can accommodate nearly 200 people. FILLMORE Located about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles in the Heritage Valley, Fillmore is one of the region’s least spoiled cities. An old railroad town with a strong sense of historic preservation, the town is used frequently by Hollywood filmmakers. Citrus groves, rolling farmland, picturesque bed-and-breakfasts and a sleepy ambiance make Fillmore a relaxing place to visit. Elkins Ranch Golf Course (805) 524-1440 • www.elkinsranchgc.com. Green fees: $24-$42 This scenic course is short — 6,302 yards from the tips — and sweet — set in a canyon with five lakes, elevated tees and tricky greens. Water comes into play on nine holes and, since the course opened in 1962, there are fully mature trees that wreak havoc with errant drives and approach shots. The signature 17th hole is a 440-yard par-4 with a 110-foot elevation drop to the fairway. Santa Paula Part of Heritage Valley, this community 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles by the Santa Clara River is surrounded by rolling hills, mountain peaks and orange, lemon and avocado groves. The heart of Ventura County’s agricultural community, Santa Paula stands in stark contrast to more rapidly developing areas of the region. Mountain View Golf Course (805) 525-1571 www.mountainviewgc.com Green fees: $33-$38 Though only 5,501 yards from the tips, this par-69 course can be tricky because water has to be carried on three holes and comes into play on two others. Opened in 1969, the course also has hundreds of mature trees. MOORPARK Located in the foothills of eastern Ventura County, Moorpark is growing rapidly in terms of population and golf options, with three of the county’s best and newest courses within its boundaries. Moorpark Country Club (805) 532-2834 www.moorparkcountryclub.com. Green fees: $75-$95 This Peter Jacobsen/Hardy Golf Design course opened in 2002 and is already hailed as one of the county’s best public facilities. There are three sets of nines and if you combine Ridgeline with Crestline it’s a 6,965-yard monster, including two of the toughest holes around: the 676-yard fifth hole, and the par-4 13th that includes carries over a canyon and an arroyo. The third nine, Canyon Crest, opened in October and “is a lot more forgiving and quite generous off the tee,” said head professional Scott Miller. “The third nine has given us some pretty good variety in that it caters to the mid-handicapper.” A fleet of golf carts equipped with GPS systems are new additions. Rustic Canyon Golf Course (805) 530-0221 Green fees: $35-$50 This natural beauty opened to rave reviews in 2002. Designer Gil Hanse, a devotee of Scottish-style layouts, touched little of the existing land and followed the contours of the canyon. It’s just under 7,000 yards from the tips, but there are few trees and no water. A myriad of bunkers and a design that constantly forces golfers to think about the next shot makes this affordable course one of the best bangs for your buck in Southern California. Tierra Rejada Golf Club (805) 531-9300 • www.tierrarejada.com Green fees: $75-$95 High-end, daily-fee golf didn’t exist in Ventura County until this Robert Cupp-designed course opened in 1999. Lots of elevation changes, lakes, bunkers and length (7,015 yards from the tips) offer plenty of challenge, but the rewards are high for good shotmaking. The facility also has an extensive practice area and a fabulous restaurant. Ojai One of Ventura County’s oldest towns, this community also is one of its smallest — and the fiercest in terms of limiting growth. Cars are not a necessity downtown and preserving a village atmosphere is key for this city, which lies at the base of the Los Padres National Forest in northern Ventura County. Soule Park Golf Course (805) 646-5633 Green fees: $28-$40 This William F. Bell-designed course opened in 1962 and the mature trees and creek that runs throughout the course love to entice errant shots. Keep the ball in the fairway, however, and this 6,436-yard track could be your best friend. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (805) 646-5511 • wwwgolfojai.com Green fees: $69-$170 The centerpiece of one of the region’s finest golf resorts was designed by George C. Thomas in 1923 and redesigned by Jay Morrish in 1988. The course is one of the most scenic in the state and a wonderful example of classic architecture where average golfers aren’t penalized and good players are challenged. The course has hosted seven Champions Tour events and its 6,292, par-70 layout was toughened considerably by Morrish’s redesign. Two of Thomas’ original holes were restored in 1999 and, in 2004, the nines were reversed as part of a resort renovation project. Oxnard Though Ventura County’s largest city is known for its two harbors and rich agricultural areas, the coastal community 65 miles west of Los Angeles does have a pretty nice golf course. River Ridge Golf Course (805) 983-4653 www.riverridge-golfclub.com Green fees: $28-$38 This 6,700-yard course includes an extensive practice facility that comes in handy since there are nearly eight acres of water on the property. The shifting breezes and rolling terrain requires golfers to use every shot in their repertoire and every club in their bag. The William F. Bell-designed course opened in 1986 and underwent a major renovation in 1994. SIMI VALLEY Located right across the Los Angeles County line on the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway, Simi Valley is home to the former president’s library and two excellent golf courses. Simi Hills Golf Course (805) 522-0803 Green fees: $28-$53 Like any Ted Robinson Sr. design, this 6,579-yard, par-71 course is water intensive, with three lakes adding to the beauty of the natural terrain, which winds through hills and valleys. Though most of the greens and tees are elevated, most of the course is flat, which means carts aren’t a necessity. Lost Canyons Golf Course (805) 522-4653 • www.lostcanyons.com Green fees: $95-$120 Two of the tougher courses in the county are these Pete Dye-designed tracks carved into the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains. Both the Sky and Mountain courses measure more than 7,000 yards from the tips and feature numerous deep bunkers, sharp drops from the greens and forced carries over canyons. Dye said the rolling terrain was among the best pieces of land he’d ever worked with, and once you see the incredible views from the two courses, you’ll likely agree. Thousand Oaks Located off the 101 Freeway in southwestern Ventura County about 40 miles west of Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks is in an ideal spot. Continue west and you’ll reach Camarillo and Ventura; head south and you’ll be driving through a scenic canyon to Malibu. Los Robles Greens Golf Course (805) 495-6421 www.golfthousandoaks.com Green fees: $29-$37 This city-owned course opened in 1964. Though it gets a lot of play, the course is in good shape and quite scenic, with three lakes and clusters of oak trees dotting the 111-acre landscape. A renovation project several years ago added a new drainage system, bunkers and tees to the 6,274-yard layout. VENTURA It’s not the biggest city in the county or the most centrally located, but the county’s namesake has retained its beach town atmosphere and California Mission history while offering all of the amenities that much larger cities have. The combination of weather, ocean, history and laid-back atmosphere makes Ventura a great place to stop while driving between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, or a nice destination spot unto itself. Buenaventura Golf Course (805) 642-2231 • www.venturagolf.net Green fees: $26-$34 Ventura’s oldest track, this William P. Bell- and William F. Bell-designed course opened in 1949. A major renovation of the course completed in March re-established the woodlands design envisioned by the Bells that had faded over the years. Eight lakes, mature trees, undulating greens and thick rough put some bite into this short course, which measures 6,000 yards. Olivas Park Golf Course (805) 677-6770 • www.venturagolf.net Green fees: $27-$34 Longer and more challenging than Buenaventura, this William F. Bell-designed course, which opened in 1969, will close in late fall for refurbishing and reopen in 2007. Westlake Village Located just east of Thousand Oaks, temperatures in Westlake Village rarely top 90 degrees, and though located less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, the small city is free from urban clutter. Westlake Village Golf Course (818) 889-0770 Green fees: $23-$33 This Ted Robinson Sr.-designed course opened in 1967. It’s one of the most player-friendly courses in the region, stretching just over 5,000 yards from the tips. Three lakes and tree-lined fairways add to the atmosphere, and affordable green fees make it very popular. Where to Stay You’re generally less than an hour away from one part of Ventura County to the other. Simi Valley, located in east Ventura County and a half hour from Los Angeles, is 47 miles from Ventura to the west, 60 miles from Ojai to the north, 39 miles from Oxnard to the south and 30 miles from the Heritage Valley. Here are places to stay in the eight main regions of the county: Simi Valley-Moorpark Posada Royale Hotel & Suites • (800) 994-4884 This 119-room, Mission-style hotel is a mile from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and about 30 minutes from Malibu. It includes 22 suites, wireless Internet capability, a fitness center, swimming pool and spa. Single-occupancy golf packages with Lost Canyons range from $145 to $199. Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Palm Garden Hotel • (888) 816-0002 Though it doesn’t offer golf packages, this 155-room hotel has plenty of amenities for business travelers and an excellent on-site restaurant, Eric’s. Rates range from $110 to $139. Camarillo Hampton Inn & Suites • (805) 389-9898 The local outpost for this national chain is a solid, if not spectacular, place to stay. It offers a golf package with Sterling Hills that includes two rounds of golf and an overnight stay for $259 during the week and $269 on weekends. Oxnard Residence Inn by Marriott Oxnard at River Ridge (805) 278-2200 Though located on the city’s only golf course, the hotel doesn’t offer golf packages. Rates at the 252-room property begin at $149 for regular suites and $169 for penthouse suites. Ojai Ojai Valley Inn & Spa • (805) 646-5511 This full-service resort includes golf, a spa and access to other recreational opportunities, such as kayaking and horseback riding. The resort recently completed a $70 million renovation and has expanded its golf academy and amenity options. A standard two-day golf package, which begins at $255 per person per night, includes unlimited golf. On the weekend of September 23-25, the resort is offering a package that includes 16 hours of golf instruction, a two-night stay and round of golf for $2,000 per twosome and $1,400 for individuals. Ventura Four Points by Sheraton Ventura • (800) 359-5672 The city’s only hotel that overlooks Ventura Harbor has a private balcony attached to each of its 175 rooms. Alexander’s Restaurant is known for its steak, seafood, pasta and Sunday brunches. The hotel is also ideal for business meetings, with space available to accommodate 20 to 350 people. Double-occupancy rates begin at $139, with more elaborate rooms beginning at $209. Santa Paula-Fillmore Fern Oaks Inn • (805) 525-7747 If your golf excursion brings you to either of these Heritage Valley communities, this quaint bed-and-breakfast is a perfect spot to immerse yourself in the local culture. Located amid the oak groves of Santa Paula, the inn is a two-story, Spanish Revival building built in 1929. Personal service and friendly attention are standard amenities. Rooms range from $95 to $110, but there are only four, so reserve early. |
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