A weekly look at golf courses open...

A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.

Tijeras Creek Golf Club

Address: 29082 Tijeras Creek Rd., Rancho Santa Margarita.

Green fees: $70-$95, includes cart, twilight rates available.

Tee times: Seven days in advance, $10 for reservations more than seven days in advance.

Phone: (714) 589-9793.

The facility: The Ted Robinson-designed course opened in 1990 to raves, and it has held up very well. The front nine, featuring two par threes over man-made lakes, is set among homes. On the back nine, the stucco canyons are replaced by the natural stuff of Tijeras Creek, and precision shots become more important. Range has grass tees.

The good: It’s a challenging and fun place for most skill levels. There is a country-club ambience, and the views can be spectacular with the Saddleback peaks rising in the east. The back nine is a special place with its old-growth sycamores, oaks and native chaparral.

The bad: When Tijeras Creek opened, it was great value--$30 during the week--but that price has surged 133%. We thought inflation had been licked. Unwelcome coots have dropped in on the greens on the par-four fourth and signature par-three fifth.

The score: Beauty has its price, and that puts this course out of reach for most but the well-heeled. But for a special occasion, it’s still a fine choice.

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Overall course rating: *** 1/2

* One ball: Like an X on the scorecard.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

*** Three balls: Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.

**** Four balls: Where the Publinx Golf Gods play.

South Course:

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Hole Chcp Blue Tees Regular White Tees Men’s Par Ladies’ Red Tees 1 507 491 5 414 2 346 326 4 280 3 442 410 4 336 4 402 369 4 308 5 162 151 3 110 6 393 366 4 312 7 200 174 3 118 8 550 524 5 442 9 414 388 4 330 Out 3,416 3,199 36 2,650 10 342 327 4 275 11 516 493 5 399 12 342 328 4 281 13 519 505 5 426 14 165 142 3 111 15 343 321 4 275 16 172 149 3 119 17 399 376 4 311 18 399 380 4 283 In 3,197 3,021 36 2,480 Total 6,613 6,220 72 5,130

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Rating/Slope: Blue--71.7/126, White--69.5/120, Red--69.8/120