SOUTHLAND FOCUS
A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.
Oak Valley Golf Club
Address: 37-600 14th Street. Beaumont, Calif. 92223
Green fees: $40-$50 (Cart included).
Tee Times: One week in advance.
Phone: (909) 769 7200
The facility: Many probably have driven past this course on the way to Palm Springs and caught fleeting glances of green north of the I-10 just before Beaumont. The parking lot is rarely crowded on weekdays, which is good for those playing Oak Valley, but a missed opportunity for those who haven’t. Don’t look for a fancy sign or clubhouse, those little buildings are the pro shop/starter/snack bar/locker room.
The good: Well-defined fairways, tight but not too tight. True greens. Spectacular mountain backdrops. One of the best things about Oak Valley is that each hole pretty much stands alone--there are a few parallel fairways, but golfers won’t notice another hole when they are playing. From the white markers, irons sometimes can be used off the tees for strategy, but don’t try it from the blues. Nice driving range with complimentary range balls.
The bad: Not much. The unprotected course is at the mercy of the winds, which can get pretty fierce. If you get to Redlands and you see trees bending, turn back. On a diverse course, Nos. 10 and 11 are virtually the same hole. The par-threes are not that demanding.
The score: At the risk of ruining my favorable experiences there, this is the unknown jewel of Southland golf, a wonderful course. Some might say that driving more than 70 miles from downtown L.A. is too far, or paying $40 is too much. Fine by me.
*
Overall course rating: 3 1/2 balls.
* 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.
*--*
Hole Blue Tees White Tees Par Red Tees 1 345 315 4 290 2 196 160 3 113 3 415 395 4 315 4 556 530 5 475 5 210 168 3 108 6 412 386 4 347 7 525 493 5 423 8 365 315 4 265 9 470 420 4 385 Out 3,494 3,182 36 2,721 10 370 349 4 315 11 358 340 4 270 12 185 140 3 126 13 375 348 4 294 14 578 521 5 457 15 172 145 3 130 16 472 395 4 354 17 440 400 4 359 18 559 539 5 468 In 3,509 3,177 36 2,773 Total 7,003 6,359 72 5,494
*--*
Rating/Slope: Blue--73.9/136, White--69.7/126, Red--71.1/122