This was the last stop on our trip. Though it is just a 9-hole course in the middle of nowhere, it was by far the biggest "get" of my attempt to reach out to private clubs in the area. This is one I t... Continue »

This was the last stop on our trip. Though it is just a 9-hole course in the middle of nowhere, it was by far the biggest "get" of my attempt to reach out to private clubs in the area. This is one I thought I might never get to access because it is so obscure and connections aren't easily made. Most people don't even know it exists. The Head Pro was nice enough to invite us out and set up a pass to get into the Bear Valley Springs community, though, and I am extremely grateful. We teed off a little after 3:00 and the course was wide open, so we finished quickly. Guest rate for 9 holes with cart very reasonable at $26. The course was in decent shape. It's very rough around the edges, but that kind of fits the character of the course and community. Tee boxes were fine. Fairways had good coverage for the most part. Some bad spots/inconsistencies and the grass was a bit shaggy in places, but the lies were mostly pretty good. The rough was more, well, rough with a mix of everything from squirrel holes to super deep/thick rough that was brutal. The bunkers had great sand. They just need to be raked and evened out. The greens were the highlight of the course and maybe the best of the trip. They were fantastic, rolling smooth at medium/quick speeds (faster than they looked). Part of the appeal of Oak Tree is how remote it is. If you've ever played Horse Thief, you'll have an idea of what to expect here. Tehachapi is already pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and then add another 15-20 minute drive on back roads deeper into valley to get to the course. The layout is enjoyable and it's hard not to draw comparisons to Horse Thief. The first tee starts with a great elevated shot and then after that there aren't any big changes in elevation as you circle around the lake. Like HT, lots of big boulder outcroppings throughout the course, which is a neat look. It's a more open layout than HT, though, with much less trees in play. We only played the front nine, but noticed how different a few of the back nine tees were, so that makes it interesting if you play 18. Fun, rugged course. Fun experience. Big checkmark on my list!!!