First post-pandemic round at Westlake, having played countless times over the years. Still using distance controlled balls on the range (boo!). Greens recovering from large-hole punch last week, still... Continue »

First post-pandemic round at Westlake, having played countless times over the years. Still using distance controlled balls on the range (boo!). Greens recovering from large-hole punch last week, still sandy. Tee boxes are awful. Hard to find a level lie that also has grass. Fairways spotty as I hit several drive in the fairway only to find myself on dirt, hard pan or mud. The staff is always great. As is common with the COVID thing, there are no rakes in the bunkers, so ending up in one is an extra level of fun playing up against where someone else dug in.

The big change coming is this: The 9th hole is going away. Apparently someone hit a ball into the pool at the hotel next door and the hotel sued. I guess it doesn't matter that the course has been there since the mid-1960s because now it's suddenly a concern. So the 1 par 5 on the front (Hole 6) is under construction to become a par 4 and a ~175 yard par 3. What is hole 8 will be hole 9. The new tee and green is seeded and growing in. It looks nice and not as out-of-place as the new 'new' 17th hole with the bunkers that are not like any others on the course.

Still a good practice course, especially if you like par 3's (there are 7) and hate par 5's (only 1). At least one tee-box (Hole 13) is being redone and it would be great to see them address more.