Played on Saturday 1/24/04 as part of a group outing. The staff was very accommodating as we had members of our group (16) arrive almost too late.

For all of the positive comments and reviews that... Continue »

Played on Saturday 1/24/04 as part of a group outing. The staff was very accommodating as we had members of our group (16) arrive almost too late.

For all of the positive comments and reviews that I have seen about this course, I was definitely disappointed by the course after playing it that day. For the price and location, I expected a lusher course that would provide a memorable experience of a course that I would be anxious to play again and again. Unfortunately, what I came upon was a course with good to great hole designs that were spread out and put together in a manner that seemed a little haphazard through the first several holes.

While I wouldn't like to hit more irons from the tee than my driver, this did not bother me on this day as I felt it enhanced the challenges of the course (forced carries, water and narrow fairway). There weren't too many wide fairways and the greens varied in size and slope. I remember that most greens had difficult pin positions (the course list 6 areas for every green), and the greens putted very true to several tendencies. Water borders several fairways and greens, and the threat of a watery grave (for my golf balls) crept into my thoughts a little too much for comfort.

The course didn't appear to be in the best of conditions, which could have been due to the fires of fall 2003 or just the time of year. Blind tee shots are OK, however, there were too many instances that you could mistakenly pepper the group in front of you (friends or not). A bridge taking you from one hole to another is a nice rustic touch, but when it is over 75 feet high, longer than 100 yards, and has more turns than the carnival roller coaster, it is more danger aspect than a scenery enhancement (My question is what happens when planks, rails or sidings get knocked out, do they shut down the route until it is properly fixed or do they hope that no one notices?).

I was impressed with challenging hole layouts, smooth greens and attentive course marshals. I was unimpressed with the pro shop/clubhouse and the overall condition of the course (lushness). I was very disappointed with the experience (for the price) and the course layout (unable to reasonably walk this course).

It is hard to give a not recommend to any course that may be in its "down" period. However, I can say that if I don't play the course again, it wouldn't bother me. Unlike Steele Canyon and Torrey Pines, I have great desires to play either of those courses, again.