Hacienda Golf Club : La Habra Heights, CA

My golf course review is a little different this month. Normally my reviews consist of public courses, however this month I am reviewing a private course and golf club. We figured that since the core readership of the Hills and Heights Newspaper is located in the La Habra Heights area, that we should take the time to review a golf course that is local and appreciated by many. I had the opportunity to speak with Mark W. Costa, Vice President, Marketing & Membership Development at Hacienda Golf Club and he agreed to have their golf course and club reviewed. To be honest, Haceienda Golf Club is one course that I was unfamiliar with as well as the La Habra Heights area in general. Mark told me that I am not alone and that many people are not familiar with the close knit community and golf club. After having a chance to view the course and learn the history behind it, I gladly accepted the invitation to visit and review this historic course.

The Hacienda Golf Club was originally established in 1920 by Alphonso Bell. The course was designed at the same time by William Watson, one of the most prolific and well-known golf course architects of his time. I was not aware that this golf course was one of the first courses established in Southern California. In 2005, John Harbottle renovated the golf course while remaining true to the William Watson design. Hacienda Golf Club has been host to many golf tournaments including Ladies U.S. Open Qualifiers, USGA Amateur, and a possible LPGA tournament in the future. Beautifully laid out in La Habra Heights, this par 71 6,925 yard course is a golfer’s dream.

When we arrived at the club, I was greeted by the helpful and friendly staff. Since I had never been in the La Habra Heights area, I really didn’t know what to expect. This course and club is tucked away in the beautiful hills and surrounding homes with a view to the Pacific Ocean from the clubhouse. The modern and lavish clubhouse that was built 4 years ago was one of the first things to catch my eye (see photo on next page). The architecture and design of this building is exceptional. Mark informed me that during clear days and evenings it’s not uncommon to see Catalina from the patios.

We warmed up on the driving and putting range before our round. I noticed that the practice greens were amazingly manicured, and it turned out that the entire course mimicked the practice greens. These greens were some of the nicest greens I have ever played. They were a little quick, but it was nice to line up a putt and know that it would stay online as compared to some local public courses in the area. I was warned before the round from a friend that the greens were too fast, but I disagree. They were quick, but very fair and smooth.

We had the honor of playing with the course superintendent, Rafael Barajas. Being a quality golfer and the superintendent at Hacienda for 15 years, his knowledge and history of the course made the round that much more enjoyable. Teeing off on hole 1 you are greeted with an elevated tee box to the fairway below. The black tees play 405 yards, and a fairway bunker lines the left side that can come into play approximately 100 yards from the green. The views from the first tee are amazing, with tree-lined fairways as far as the eye can see, and the view of the L.A. Basin and Pacific Ocean beyond. Hole 2 again played from a slightly elevated tee with room on the left for an errant tee shot. Hitting a slight draw on this 485 yard par 4 is an ideal play as you prepare for the lower-tier green.

Hole 3 is a tight dogleg right par 4 measuring 325. The green is blind and guarded by trees and a slight hillside, so laying up with a long iron, utility, or 3-wood off the tee is the best play to a well guarded green. Hole 4 is a par 3 measuring 185 yards. This green is also heavily guarded by bunkers, so assess where the flag placement is before deciding on a club. Hole 5 is a slight dogleg right par 4 measuring 475. Stay clear of hitting your tee shot to the right as it poses hazards.

Hole 6 is a long 235 yard par 3 with a small creek to the right of the green. If you are going to miss on this hole, miss to the left. Hole 7 is a par 5 measuring 585 yards. An ideal tee shot is playing a slight draw into the fairway. The second shot on this par 5 is usually pretty lengthy, and bunkers are placed in front of the green making a “run-up” shot nearly impossible. If you have the length and carry, you may be tempted to go for it. For the rest, a nice lay-up is your best play. Hole 8 is an interesting 445 yard par 4 in that it has 2 different fairways and 2 elevation changes. Your drive will be down the upper fairway which drops off at approximately 285-290 yards. From there is a large downhill shot to the green below. If you have a good look at the green, take one less club to account for the elevation change.

As you finish out the front 9, you will be faced with a 400 yard par 4 that has fairway bunkers to your left, and a stream to the far right. A false front guards the green to this fairly straightforward hole. As you make your turn for the back nine, make sure you take advantage of the free water and apples at the 10th tee. We joked around that the apples were some of the best we’ve ever had. Rafael assured us in a joking manner that they were “known” for their apples.
As you tackle hole 10, keep in mind that this 510 yard par 5 has a drastic dogleg to the left after your tee shot. Make sure that your tee shot is long and straight to take advantage of your approach shot. If your tee shot is short, you will find that laying up is a necessity as you will probably not be able to see the hole due to the dogleg and uphill green location.

Hole 11 is a relatively short 315 yard par 4. This hole has a severe dogleg to the right. Hitting a long iron or hybrid off the tee is probably your best play as you will have a short iron or wedge into the green. Hole 12 is a mellow 145 yard par 3, but don’t let the length lull you to sleep. Missing this green to the left in the large bunker will make an up and down par very difficult. The green is deep in length, so use that to your advantage when deciding on clubs, especially if the distance is in between clubs for you. Hole 13 is a pictuesque 445 yard par 4, with a dogleg to the left. Shorter hitters will hit driver off the tee, while longer hitters will hit 3 wood. The second shot requires a carry over a small ravine. If you leave your second shot short, you may roll down into the rivine below, making for a difficult and blind third shot onto the green.

Hole 14 is a 430 yard par 4 with trees on the right and out-of-bounds on the left. A well struck tee shot may still find its way into the rolling fairway, making for a slightly hidden or blind tee shot into the green. Hole 15 is a 380 yard par 4 that doglegs left. A tee shot with a slight draw will give you the best opportunity to find the lower elevation green. Hole 16 is a beautiful par 3 measuring 200 yards. This green is heavily guarded with bunkers on either side, and large pond in front. Make sure you use enough club to carry the water hazard. Missing right is the easiest miss with the right bunker being the most shallow out of the bunch.

Hole 17 is a 530 yard par 5, and can be tough if you are too long off the tee as I found out. There is a valley that runs across the fairway, and if you are too long your second shot will either be a blind shot or you may be faced with a downhill lie as I was. If you are playing from the blacks this probably won’t be an issue. But if you are playing from the whites or reds this definitely could come into play. The course finishes up with a 430 yard par 4. Trees guard the left and a fairway bunker guards the right. The approach shot to the green may be met with prevailing winds, so take that into account before selecting a club.

What a round of golf. Such a challenging and fun course. The course conditions couldn’t have been better, and these greens were indeed the best I have ever played. I am anxious to play again just to have the honor of playing on such true greens and maintained fairways. After the round was over, we met with Mark and Rafael in the grill and bar inside the clubhouse. We all enjoyed a time of amazing food and great company, talking about our round and the club in general. I noticed a few things about the club that I wanted to ask Mark about. I noticed that there was a swimming pool at the club, and Mark informed me that in the near future they will be redesigning both the swimming pool area and the driving range as well as bringing in a workout facility. The swimming pool is available to all members and friends, and features swim meets as well as a children’s swim and dive team.

After we finished our meal, Mark showed us around the clubhouse. Hacienda Golf Club not only features a grill and bar, but also a fine dining restaurant as well. This beautifully laid out dining room and bar overlooks the L.A. Basin below and is first class all the way. The clubhouse also features one large ballroom sub-divisible into two smaller rooms for weddings or private events. When asked how many people are currently members at the club, Mark informed me there were approximately 400 members. Of those 400 members, 40% are local while the remaining 60% reside in the surrounding areas.

Hacienda Golf Club offers 3 different memberships. They offer their Regular Equity Golf and Young Executive Golf memberships which include the use of the golf course and all facilities. They also offer a Social Membership which includes the use all of all facilities excluding the golf course. All members are allowed to bring guests as well to the club for golf and events. Speaking of events, the club is always looking for new ways to entertain its members. In September, they are hosting a “Supper Club on the Heights” featuring a performance by Grammy award winner and Oscar nominee Melissa Manchester. This will feature a show by Melissa Manchester, along with a four-course gourmet menu designed by their award winning Executive Chef Shushan Madenlian.

If you have been curious about becoming a member at Hacienda Golf Club or even if this is your first time hearing about it, you owe it to yourself to give Mark Costa a call and find out more information about this great club. Whether using it for family, social, or business opportunities, you will not be disappointed. This golf club exudes luxury and class with a welcoming attitude. Mark Costa can be reached at 562-694-1081, ext. 119 or by email at markcosta@haciendagolfclub.com. You also can find out additional information about Hacienda Golf Club online at www.HaciendaGolfClub.com.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the Hills and Heights. He also heads up a company known as Trinitas Creative, a design firm which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the Hills and Heights. He has established himself and his company as a leader in design trends and effective marketing. You can visit them online and view their work at www.TrinitasCreative.com.
His love for sports includes college and professional football, golf, basketball, hockey...and the list goes on. He is an avid golfer, and understands the finer points of the game.

Read more...

Hidden Valley Golf Course : Norco, CA

I do my best to not only write up local courses, but also find unique and challenging courses just out of the area that many are unfamiliar with. As I say on my blog, the reason for these write-ups is to "Know Before You Go". This month I had the pleasure of playing Hidden Valley Golf Course in Norco, and when I say pleasure, I truly mean that. This golf course represents itself as a class act both on and off the course.

The drive out to Hidden Valley is relatively quick on the 91 freeway because you are driving against traffic in the am towards Norco and against traffic in the pm when returning to Orange County. Our drive from Anaheim took less than 30 minutes. As you approach the course, the views of the lush, green fairways and greens against the rugged hillside is beautiful. This golf course was truly cut out of the hills and laid out in the same manner. As you make your way along the course and to the clubhouse, you realize that you are going to be playing a challenging course and experience a memorable golf outing.

After checking in and warming up on the driving range/greens, we were off to the first tee. With this being our first time playing the course, we obviously didn’t know what to expect. The first hole is a par 5, and the opening tee shot can be a little intimidating from the back tees. The tee shot (as with many) on the course, requires a bit of carry to the fairway. As we moved our way through the first few holes, we all noticed the amazing conditions of the course. The fairways were lush and greens were expertly maintained. The greens were quick the day we played. I would imagine the green speed is very similar on a daily basis so make sure your take that into consideration for your round. When we warmed up on the practice putting green, we noticed that the green speed mimicked that of the course. So spend 10-15 minutes on the putting green which will help you dial in the speed of the greens.

Another thing we also noticed is that your approach shot is very important on this course. Hitting a nice shot and getting on the green isn’t always good enough. Many of the undulating greens can be tough to read, and if your approach shot is above the hole or in the rough with a green running away from you, your ball could easily run 20 feet by the hole. I was made aware of this early in the round as I was putting off the green on the first hole for an eagle. After a softly struck putt, the ball slowly rolled by the hole leaving me with a 15 foot putt back up the green. The greens are very fair, but you have to be accurate and delicate close to the hole.

Hidden Valley is named correctly in that the course is definitely a valley hidden among large hillsides. With the course being carved from the natural lay of the land, your round will be filled with carrying ravines, blind tee shots, and varying wind conditions. You will need to focus on the accuracy of your tee shots with little room for error due to the heavy vegetation on many holes. The term we came up with the course is bring your "A" game or a lot of old balls. If you are not striking the ball well, you will have to work hard on your round. I did not lose a ball until hole 16 so needless to say I enjoyed my round. We enjoyed the end or our round at the renowned Italian restaurant Villa Amalfi with seating both inside and on the patio.

Prices at Hidden Valley are at an all-time low, with prices dropping below the fees they were charging in 1997 when they first opened. Prices range from $40-50 during the week, and $50-75 on the weekends. They also offer optional annual memberships at discounted rates. Hidden Valley is offering a special deal as the summer approaches. With every purchase of a large bucket you will receive 50 minutes of golf instruction. If I lived closer to the course I would take advantage of this offer on a regular basis. For more information on this offer and when it expires or Hidden Valley in general, you can visit them online at www.HiddenValleyGolf.com or call them at 951-737-1010.

One of the greatest aspects of this course has little to do with the course itself and more to do with the development of children and junior golfers. I had a chance to meet with the Jay Miller, the president of the course and an organization called Get A Grip Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that he developed years ago to help children in a variety of ways. Their mission statement is:

"To create an accessible golf-course and practice facility with an emphasis on a no-cost program for children that gives them exposure to the fundamentals of the game of golf through free practice balls, play, equipment, lessons, tournaments, etc.

To provide a motivating educational environment where children of all social levels develop self-esteem, personal and civic responsibility, dedication, sound values, and advanced education for lifelong confidence."

The Get A Grip Foundation is a tutoring and mentoring program for children held everyday after school until 7:00 in the evening. Their name focuses on helping kids get a grip on life, on golf, on education, and on the Lord. This Christian based organization provides professional teachers and tutors to help students with their schoolwork while being taught invaluable life lessons. As a reward for their hard work, the children have the privilege of being taught golf lessons by the golf professionals. They also have the chance to play golf on the course for $1 while the parents of the children can play with them for $15. The facility has its own building right next to the driving range and clubhouse which includes desks, learning rooms, and small offices.

Currently there are 284 kids involved in the program from elementary to high school, with a waiting list of over 250 kids. Many of these kids not only see dramatic improvements in their schoolwork but in their golf game as well. Get A Grip has continuously received high praise every year as one of the top golf instruction and mentoring organizations in the nation, receiving top honors on numerous occasions. For more information, you can visit them online at www.GetAGripFoundation.org or call them at 951-737-9020.

Hidden Valley Golf Course is not only a tremendous course, but it is does everything it can to give back to the community. Do yourself a favor and take the time to enjoy the golf and positive environment at Hidden Valley.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the IPU. He also heads up a company known as Trinitas Creative, a design firm which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the IPU. He has established himself and his company as a leader in design trends and effective marketing. You can visit Trinitas Creative’s website at www.TrinitasCreative.com. His love for sports includes college and professional football, golf, basketball, hockey...and the list goes on. He is an avid golfer, and understands the finer points of the game.
Read more...

Birch Hills Golf Course : Brea, CA

This month’s golf course review is Birch Hills in Brea. Birch Hills is one of the most affordable golf courses in Orange County. With prices starting at $10 and maxing out at $33.50, it is very popular with individuals looking to play a round of golf and not break the budget. Birch Hills is a short 18 hole course with a par of 59 and a maximum yardage of 3,466 yards. However, this course is usually in pretty good condition, especially the greens. When playing inexpensive courses such as this one, it seems that greenskeepers tend to not pay as much attention to course conditions. This is not the case with Birch Hills. Most of the greens all well manicured because the staff knows that the abundance of par 3s can do damage to the greens.

Most of the golf course is par 3s with a few par 4s thrown in. It is a beginners type course, but can be enjoyed by players of all ability levels. I play there often with my father and few friends. It allows lower level players a chance to go out and not be intimidated, while upper-level players can work on their technique. The course is also short enough allowing players of all ages and ability levels the chance to walk and save a few dollars instead of renting a cart. When I play, I usually play during the week and schedule a tee time in the afternoon (usually around 1:00) allowing me the chance to finish my round in plenty of time.

The first 3 holes of the course are short par 3s. It seems that a short par 3 tends to calm the nerves of the "first tee jitters" as compared to an opening par 4 or 5 with a driver. After the first 3 holes, you will be faced with your first par 4. The fairway if very open and forgiving on this hole (as with most of the par 4s). Moving onto hole 5, you will be confronted with another par 4. Both of these holes measure in the mid-300 yard range. Hole 6 is the shortest hole on the course measuring approximately 88 yards, and is guarded by a bunker on the front of the green. Hole 7, 8, and 9 are all par 3s as you finish out the front nine.

Hole 10 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards, but this hole always seems to play longer than the sign dictates (especially if there is a slight breeze in the air). Hole 11 is a fun par 4 with water guarding the entire right side of the fairway. A flag in the middle of the fairway is a good guide. This shows you how far the water runs into the fairway as you get closer to the green. Longer hitters should hit a 5-6 iron off the tee to leave you a decent approach shot. If you can control your hybrid or 3 wood off the tee, then play for a draw aiming to the left-center of the fairway. This will leave you a very short approach shot to the green.

Hole 12 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards. This hole also seems to play a bit longer than its yardage, so if the flag is playing back you may want to take one more club. Hole 13 is a short par 3 that seems harmless but can be dangerous if you are long off the tee. Any shot to the left, right, or long on this green will run down the slope and will guarantee a high score. Leaving your tee shot below the hole will usually allow for an uphill put on this green no matter what the flag location is.

Hole 14 is another short par 4. If you are a long hitter, think twice about hitting driver on this hole. If you hit a solid drive, you could run your tee shot into the water at the end of the fairway. This hole is also guarded by water to the right. A hybrid, long iron, or 3 wood is usually a good club choice off of this tee. Hole 15 is a par 3 that is guarded by water on the right. Make sure you do not leak you tee shot to the right finding water, or to the left finding the bunkers. Hole 16 is a longer par 3 measuring approx. 180 yards. This hole also seems to play longer than the yardage indicates, so think about taking one more club length on this hole. Hole 17 is a fun (and short) par 4 that is easily reachable from the tee. I usually play a 3 wood from the tee. This hole is heavily guarded by bunkers towards the front of the green. It does have a small "alley" to the right of the green which allows running tee shots the chance to role up on the green. Hole 18 is a short par 3 that finishes out your round.

Birch Hills has a decent snack bar with lunch/driving range special during the week. They also have a small clubhouse if you need supplies for your round. If you leave relatively close by, Birch Hills is a great place to work on your short game. They have two nice putting greens, one near the parking lot and the other down below the clubhouse. As I stated earlier, pricing is one of the main reasons people play Birch Hills. Weekday rates are $23.50 for prime time, $18.50 for twilight, $14.50 for super twilight, and $10 for sundowner. Weekends and holidays are $33.50 for prime time, $25.50 for twilight, $19.50 for super twilight, and $12.50 for sundowner. They also offer discounts for juniors and senior citizens. Eighteen hole cart fees are $10.50 and $11.50 for weekdays and weekends respectively.
If you haven’t had a chance to play Birch Hills, you should schedule a tee time. It’s a fun little course without having to worry about spending a ton of money or spending a ton of time on a regulation size course. Finishing 18 holes of golf here in 2.5-3 hours is easily doable depending on when you play.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the IPU. He also heads up a company known as Trinitas Creative (www.TrinitasCreative.com), a design firm which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the IPU. His love for sports includes college and professional football, golf, basketball, hockey...and the list goes on. He is an avid golfer, and understands the finer points of the game.
Read more...

The Crossings in Carlsbad

This month’s golf course review is The Crossings in Carlsbad. I had to opportunity to speak with general manager Jeff Perry about this new golf course that is already making a name for itself in the golfing community. Jeff informed me that in it’s first year of operation, it was selected by Golf Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Courses You Can Play" in 2007. With that kind of clout and recognition, I was eager to play this course.

The drive from Orange County to Carlsbad was relatively short (less than one hour). We were kindly greeted as our bags were checked in, and we were anxious to visit the clubhouse and take a look. As we walked in, we were a little blown away by how nice the clubhouse was. The first thing you notice as you walk in is the green fairways of the course in front of you. Just as you begin to take the view in, your attention is immediately drawn to The Canyons Restaurant and the spectacular view of the ocean. The restaurant boasts an open-beam ceiling with huge windows allowing you to take in the views of the coast. If I lived closer to the course, I would be taking my wife there for romantic dinner dates on a regular basis. I was told that over 90% of their restaurant business come from non-golfers with waits up to 30 minutes on most weekdays for lunch. They serve a sunset menu in the evening only when they are not catering an event. Their main dinning room hosts up to 300 guests with additional meeting rooms for corporate or other private events. It was all very stunning and well thought out.

After warming up, we made our way to the first hole. The first tee starts of with a view of the ocean to the right and a small ravine/arroyo to navigate over with your tee shot. The first 4 to 5 holes are really good ‘warm-up’ holes with rolling terrain and wider fairways that prepare you for the challenges ahead. The front nine boasts ocean views on every hole and gives you a rewarding sense that you are playing on a coastal course. You’ll notice that this course is a shot makers course. You need to be fairly accurate off of the tees. The course is very fair in its layout, but it does have plenty of out-of-bounds and environmentally safe areas.

As we made our way through the first few holes, we noticed how well the course and greens were manicured. The greens at The Crossings are tricky in the sense that many have slopes and elevation changes. The GPS on the golf carts gives hints where to hit your approach shots so pay attention to this useful information.

As we reached hole 5 we realized it was now time to get down to business. If you have difficulty with your drives then this is one hole where you need to focus. The tee shot carries over a large wildlife ravine and it is more intimidating than difficult. An accurate and long tee shot on this 572 yard par 5 will land on a downhill slope and will shorten the hole. Hole 7 is a par 5 measuring 556 yards, and is the golf course’s signature hole. If you drive this hole down the right side of the fairway (as most of our group did), you will shorten the length of this right dogleg. But with that you also lose sight of the green with a hillside on the right side of the hole. Laying up is probably wise as the green is not deep and is guarded by water in the front. A beautiful waterfall (pictured above) at the back of the green sets off this hole nicely.

As we approached the back nine, the first thing you notice is the vast layout of the course in the valley below. The golf course has tremendous elevation changes on certain holes and was developed and integrated nicely with the natural wildlife terrain.

Hole 10 for me was one of the more intimidating holes on the course. It is a short 339 yard par 4 that plays downhill from an elevated tee box. But the intimidating factor is the landing area. This hole has a narrow fairway and what appears to be a small landing area making a longer iron off the tee the best play. However, as I reached my ball in the fairway I noticed that it opened up more than it appeared to from the tee making a birdie more of a possibility. And just as I absorbed hole 10’s elevation change, hole 11 had an even greater drop of over 100 feet from the tee to the landing area. The saving grace of this hole is a very large landing area. As we made our way through the multiple elevation changes on the back nine, we were enjoying the quiet of the surrounds and the beauty of the canyons giving the back nine a more serine feeling compared with the coastal feeling of the front nine.

Costs for The Crossings vary depending on when you play and if you are a Carlsbad resident or not. Peak rates for the course are $110 on the weekend, $95 on Fridays, and $90 Monday-Thursday. Senior rates are $59 anytime. Carlsbad residents will see approximately a 30% reduced rate. Twilight times range from $40-$65, and junior rates are $30 with a paying adult.

Our group thoroughly enjoyed playing The Crossings as it was challenging and one of the nicer courses that we have played in quite a while. When speaking with Jeff Perry, he informed me that many golfers have even greater success returning to the course their second or third time because they now know where (or where not) to hit their shots. I am looking forward to returning soon and tackling some of the holes that got the best of me.

Go to www.TheCrossingsAtCarlsbad.com to make reservations or view the Canyons Restaurant’s menu online. You can also call them at 760-444-1800 to make reservations by phone.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the IPU. He also heads up a company known as Trinitas Creative (www.TrinitasCreative.com), a design firm which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the IPU. His love for sports includes college and professional football, golf, basketball, hockey...and the list goes on. He is an avid golfer, and understands the finer points of the game.
Read more...