Professional sports franchises such as the Angels and the Ducks and attractions including Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm give Orange County some of its national recognition. And that’s without even mentioning shows such as “The O.C.” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” (Sorry about that.)
The county also takes advantage of its diverse landscape with nearly 40 golf courses providing views of the ocean, canyons and other topographical delights. A number of the more upscale public layouts popped up during the course-building boom of the 1990s and some have resorts attached.
Such a spot – and a beautiful place to begin an abbreviated look at Orange County golf – is the Resort at Pelican Hill and Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast. Tom Fazio had a beautiful 400-acre piece of property overlooking the Pacific Ocean to work with when he designed the Ocean South and Ocean North courses in 1991 and 1993. The 6,580-yard, par-70 Ocean South features three holes designed on cliffs overlooking the ocean, and the 6,990-yard, par-71 Ocean North is highlighted by the 17th hole, a 543-yard, par 5 that is bordered by water on one side of the fairway and a canyon on the other.
A recently completed resort on the property adds to the allure, with 204 bungalows offering views of the fairways and ocean and 128 villas tucked away for a more private feel.
“The resort has added a world-class destination to the facility,” said Steve Friedlander, vice president of golf operations at Pelican Hill. “The two golf courses were fantastic by themselves, but when you add a destination resort like we have now, people can stay here and never have to leave the property to play golf and enjoy the area.”
A short drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway is Monarch Beach Golf Links, a 6,600-yard, par-70 layout in Dana Point that also takes advantage of its location by the ocean and the ultra-chic St. Regis Monarch Beach.
Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. wanted a Scottish links look to the course when he got a look at the property in the early 1980s. What he delivered is a layout with tight fairways, rolling greens and enough challenge that the Hyundai Team Matches – an event featuring players from the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours – was held there in 2001.
The course has two holes on the ocean, several others with views of the waves and eight that have other water features coming into play. A particular beauty is No. 13, a 155-yard par 3 with water on three sides of the green.
Heading inland provides a different set of looks for golfers, with Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine a haven just off the freeway that appears to be miles from nowhere because of its setting. The par-71, 6,700-yard course is set amid canyons and wetlands, with natural vegetation and rolling hills dotted with boulders adding to the serene atmosphere, which includes white picket fences and buildings resembling rural structures.
A large reservoir brings water into play on Nos. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, with the 403-yard par-4 finisher giving golfers something to remember with an approach shot to a green that is fronted by a creek and bordered by a gorgeous waterfall off the rocks to the right.
Also in Irvine is Oak Creek Golf Club, a 6,830-yard, par-71 design that shows Fazio doesn’t need the ocean to craft a lovely layout. Tapered fairways, tiered greens, lakes, eucalyptus trees and bull-nose bunkers are mixed with colorful vegetation that makes it both challenging and scenic for all level of play.
The course, which was built in 1996, also has one of the more popular practice facilities in the region because of its 65 natural turf tees and a nine-acre all-terrain landing area.
Less than a 15-minute drive north is Tustin Ranch Golf Club, a Ted Robinson-designed layout that weaves through a housing community. Most are out of harm’s way, however, and Robinson’s trademark water features are prevalent throughout the 6,800-yard track.
One of the prettier par 3s in Southern California is No. 11, a 170-yard hole that is the first thing players see as they make their approach to the parking lot. Tustin Ranch’s signature hole requires a solid iron shot to a multi-tiered green protected by water on all sides and framed beautifully by flowers and palm trees. The hole is part of a set of four strong par 3s on the course, with the first being No. 3, a 190-yard test because of its narrow green with a large bunker to the left and two smallish pot bunkers to the right.
A little further inland is Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, which makes up it for its relative lack of length with stunning views, rolling hills, water features, elevation changes and strategic bunkering. Designer Arthur Hills always seems to do a nice job working the landscape he’s given, and he did so here with 6,750- yard, par-72 layout that includes glimpses of the Newport Beach coast and Catalina Island on clear days.
The southern-most course in this quick scan of Orange County is Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita, which best can be described as short and sweet because of its 6,550-yard, par-72 layout that uses elevation changes, trees and native chaparral as its best line of defense.
The course, also designed by Robinson, has water features that come into play on the front nine, with the back side looking more rustic as it winds through old-growth sycamores and oaks along the rugged hillsides.
– BY AL PETERSEN
