Catching up on a review I wish I posted last week because The Oaks at Valencia was in the best shape I have ever seen it. Check out the photos I just posted with my review.

Ran a Golf Moose/Greenskeeper.org Private Course Event on 5/15. Big event of 120 players that The Oaks at Valencia easily handled. The staging area for events is one of the better ones I’ve experienced. A large driving range spread out with an excellent practice green and short game area. Golf carts stagged a few steps from the range and close to the clubhouse. Both the #1 and #10 tee boxes easy walking distance from the stagging area. The Oaks at Valencia makes the day very relaxing for players and did a super job assisting our outing team.

I’ve played The Oaks at Valencia twice prior to our event and once when it was TPC Valencia. I have always enjoyed the layout but thought conditions could be better. Playing conditions this time were gorgeous. Very lush and groomed tee boxes, fairways and rough. The greens ran medium fast, smooth and a little firm. Bunkers were all well groomed with quality sand.

Teed it up with GKers rgm2525, GDR23 and mark_6m. Great time as always! Got to see some fantastic shots out there by those guys and the laughs non-stop.

I highly recommend playing The Oaks at Valencia. This is an excellent private course experience.

Second outing here at Canyon Crest CC. Our first CCCC Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org Private Course event was on 12/19 … little over 5 months later a much better experience. No golf cart issues, F & B services available as well as clubhouse restrooms. More staff to assist and better playing conditions. When they get their new carts projected by the end of this month, they’ll be able handle bigger outings and more smoothly.

CCCC is fun track that is not that long but not a push over either. The layout is excellent for all skill levels. Fairways had full coverage and were mostly lush. Rough was not really rough, just a little longer than the fairways but mostly lush with some patchy grass here and there. Bunkers in great shape with quality white sand. Tee boxes in good shape mostly level. The only negative about the day was that the greens were badly in need of a cut/roll. They are poa greens with blooms already present so I can imagine they have to stay on top of cuttings to keep them smooth. Unfortunately for us they were bumpy due to being too long. Check out the photos I posted!

It was really fun round teeing it up with GKers rgm2525, jerry64 and his friend Zonzie. Thank you GKer kassper7 for making it out as well. Love seeing GKers at these outings.

Ran another Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org private event at Spanish Hills CC on Monday 4/17. Thank you everyone that came out. Teed it up with Alex326 and rgm2525. Mark_6m had a last-minute family issue to deal with so we were only three players. Still a blast. I’m enjoying this course more and more with every play. The staff is always very friendly and well organized. It’s a great course to have an event at with excellent facilities.

Conditions were very good as the summer turf is waking up with the warmer weather. The place is greening up and come June/July it should be in prime shape. Full coverage in the fairways and rough. Rough normally waits until the summer to get nasty … its nasty thick right now. Puts a big premium on finding the fairways. Greens putted better than they looked. Mostly smooth, holding shots and medium/fast. Bunkers had quality sand and were a little firm. Tee boxes (we played the Green Tees) good shape.

Check Out The Photos I Posted :)

Highly Recommended.

Teed it up with rgm2525, mark_6m and GDR23 last Monday. Never miss an opportunity to play here. Its magnificent. Everything in excellent shape. Greens a little bit slower than normal but got no complaints there because when they are fast, they are treacherous. The course hosted an LPGA tournament in October last year. Check out the photos I posted. I'm going to circle back to add more to this review and more photos.

This was my forth Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org Private Course outing and I'm already in the process of booking another event. Come out and join in on fun :) - Thanks!

Ran a really fun Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org Private Course outing Monday at Los Coyotes CC. Saw a bunch of GKers there, great playing conditions, good weather, excellent service … all smiles. Fantastic staging set up for an outing.

Played with GKers rgm2525, hammer74 and tomokir. Awesome time despite playing terrible. Made a “That’s Golf” crazy downhill breaking birdie putt on #17 to put little Neosporin on my scorecard. LOL.

Conditions cart path only featuring soft, smooth, medium speed greens. Lush, not cut (understandably due wetness) fairways that provide next to no roll but never a thin lie (full lush coverage). Thick sticky 4 to 6 inch rough which was difficult to find you ball in and especially hit from. Well maintained tee boxes and bunkers. Looks like they might be in the middle of a sand replenishing project as some bunkers had fresher, more white sand than others.

Check out the new PHOTOS I posted. Come out to our Monday, Private Course outings :)

I highly recommend Los Coyotes CC as a course to consider to host your outing or become a member.

Joined again by GDR23, mark_6m and mpisarski01 we had a great time. The winds only let loose big gusts a few times but for the most part very manageable. Birdie Chain Battle part 2. We played the white tees because we did not feel like playing 6700+ yards in the wind. I normally always play the blues so the whites was fun change … LOL - Classic Club still beat me up.

Everything about the layout at Classic Club is BIG and challenging. Hit a ball towards a fairway bunker or water hazards and you’re likely going to be in it. Play well be rewarded. Play OK or Poor prepare to be punished. It’s a former PGA Tour course that once you play it you feel like you played a big league track.

Conditions at Classic Club were near immaculate. Greens smooth, fast and holding shots. Fairways lush with some dry spots. Rough lush and cut down to just over fairway height. Bunkers excellent with high quality sand and well groomed. I still miss the Pac-Man bunker on Hole 5 - #bringpacback – check out the photos I posted. Pac-Man was replaced by what looks like Goggles now. LOL – Tee boxes in fantastic shape. Speaking of tee shots, it does not get much better than Classic Club. So many inspiring shots out there to hit.

Prior to the round I presented Classic Club with the GK Year Ending 2022 Best Playing Conditions for all of Southern California. Hats off to their crew and all the capital golf course improvement projects completed. Don’t miss out on playing Classic Club in 2023.

Highly Recommended!

Day two in Palm Desert started with an early morning 7:20am round on one of my very favorite courses Desert Willow Golf Resort FireCliff Course. Joined by GDR23, mark_6m and mpisarski01 for a tremendously fun round of golf. I missed out on the Birdie Chain Battle at Palm Valley CC the day before so was pretty pumped before the round. Great weather in the morning, wind never kicked up before we finished our round, golf course was in immaculate shape and such a fun layout. Even for a Tuesday with high winds in the forecast the tee sheets for both FireCliff and Mountain View were packed. I’m looking into setting up a GK Guru outing at Desert Willow Golf Resort in March or April. Playing Desert Willow Golf Resort always delivers. Check out the PHOTOS I just posted.

I’m looking into setting up a GK Guru outing at Desert Willow Golf Resort in March or April.

Highly Recommended!

Had the pleasure playing the Challenge Course a couple hours after our outing completed.

Prior to teeing off GDR23, mark_6m and myself hit balls and enjoyed a delicious lunch. The club only takes credit or debit cards for outside guests.

It was difficult for me to believe the executive Challenge Course, also designed by Ted Robinson, Jr, was the more raved about and preferred by the members track to the beautiful Championship Course I just played. Well, I’m a believer now!

In over 35 years of golfing this is one of the most enjoyable shot making courses, and certainly #1 executive course, I have played. 14 of the holes feature gorgeous water hazards very much in play. Many of the Par 4’s are risk/reward tee shots for long hitters to go for the green but I doubt those go-for-it decisions would be made in a serious scoring round. Water is everywhere! I had 11 pars … but on the flip side when I found a water hazard, 3 doubles and 2 triples. Never a boring shot or putt out there.

The greens are all small, medium-fast, smooth, firm and very undulating. If you miss the green I hope your 60 degree wedge is on for a delicate pitch or demanding bunker shot. Dial in those wedges before your round because your round will be loaded with short demanding fun approaches. Fairways, Rough, Tee Boxes and Bunkers all immaculate. CHECK OUT the photos I posted.

Highly Recommended!

Ran a Golf Moose/Greenskeeper.org Private Course outing last Monday on the Palm Valley CC Championship Course. Weather was excellent, golf course in immaculate condition, staff very helpful and organized, simply a great event I plan on doing again.

A Ted Robinson Jr design with as you guessed beautiful water hazards and Palm trees everywhere. The facilities and the golf course are classic elegant Palm Springs vibe. 36 great holes of golf out there, top-notch service and staff. Check out the PHOTOS I just posted.

Thank you everyone that attended and Palm Valley CC for doing a great job hosting us!

Highly Recommended!

Joined mark_6m, GDR23 and rgm2525 Monday 2/13 for an awesome day of golf at Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara.

Now is the time to and likely the rest of this Spring to go play Sandpiper GC. With all the rain the cool temperature turf for this time of year is looking stunning. The greens are running fast and smooth. Fairways lush with good lies. Rough lush just off the fairway playing 2 to 3 inches and easy to escape from. But if you find the secondary rough mind as well start a search party for your ball because it is deep, at least a foot, thick fescue. I love it when they have the secondary rough long and untamed like it is now. Fits with ocean cliffs ambiance. The visuals are gorgeous and it puts a big premium on hitting a good drive. Bunkers are in OK shape, better than in the past and very playable. Well cared for they just could use some better sand. Tee boxes great shape.

IMO – given the bucket list reason to play the course is 6 to 7 fantastic ocean holes 5,6, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Holes 10, 11 and 13 are absolute have to experience golf holes. Now with the golf course in super shape its another reason to go for it.

My favorite time to play Sandpiper GC is in the late afternoon. Just give yourself time to finish 18 holes within 30 minutes of sunset because it sets right there over the ocean. The patio has beautiful views and the food is very good.

Always a pleasure to play here. Highly Recommended.

Second time running a golf event at The Huntington Club and even better this time around. All the accolades of my previous review back in April 2022 plus perfect weather and an excellent conditioned golf course.

Great day teeing it up with rgm2525, kmersola and jjrauen. So fun when GKers can make it to our Golf Moose / GK Private Course events.

Check out the photos I posted.

Greens in terrific shape and tricky to putt on. Medium Fast/Smooth/Mostly Firm.

Fairways, mostly kikuyu/bermunda providing excellent sitting up lies but little roll out. Lush/Full Coverage.

Rough, mostly kikuyu/bermunda, about 1 to 3 inches, mostly lush but the ball tended to sit down.

Bunkers, good sand quality but not to the standard of the rest of the course. On hole 12 we came accross a bunker renovation. Need to learn more about it. Still decent acceptable conditions.

Tee Box, all in good shape, lush, cut and level.

Definately going to keep booking outings here.

Highly Recommended.

Organized a Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org Private Event at Las Posas CC last Monday 1/23 as a reschedule from early this month due to weather and not only did Las Posas CC live it up to its exclusive secluded expectation, it exceeded it.

First from an organizers perspective, the staff is fantastic, the small clubhouse is perched for a beautiful view during check-in/warmup, the cart staging area, driving range, practice sand/pitching, practice putting are all located in close proximity making it very easy to keep track of players.

The course layout is a blast. I’d be hard pressed to describe the layout better than previous reviewer’s kviser and mark_6m but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words and I snapped a bunch. Please check out the photos I posted here.

The condition of the course was outstanding. Greens medium fast, rolled smooth, held shots, very enjoyable. Fairways lush, groomed and showed very little oversaturation. Las Posas CC appears to drain very well. Rough was lush, about an inch or two longer than the fairways and presented some challenge. Bunkers were mostly recovered from the rain although a little firm. Some of the bunkers have low lips and I could not help to think how much Rob1563 would have been tempted to try rolling a shot out – LOL. Very well maintained. Tee boxes all in great shape, groomed and level. Overall for January and recovering from rain the place was still near immaculate. Its only going to get better.

We had beautiful weather and a great time. Fun as always teeing it up with rgm2525 and mark_6m. (another GKer had to cancel day of)

Any chance you can get to play this course go for it. If you are looking into a membership they have a waiting list but reach out to them anyway.

Highly Recommended