SOUTHLAND FOCUS

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

THE VINEYARD

Address: 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido.

Phone: (760) 735-9545.

Green fees: $29-$45.

Tee times: Seven days in advance.

The facility: This five-year-old upscale course is nestled in the San Pasqual Valley, 35 minutes from downtown San Diego and five miles from the Wild Animal Park. The flat front nine winds over what used to be wetlands. Many out-of-bounds areas are marked “environmentally sensitive.” The dramatically different back nine is hilly, 400 yards longer and much more scenic than the front.

The good: The course is playable and moderately-priced for the social golfer, but more than challenging for the skilled player. There are five lakes, pesky fairway bunkers on several holes and several blind approach shots. The dogleg-left second hole requires a well-placed, long- to middle-iron shot and a pin-point second shot over water onto a long, narrow green. The Orfila Vineyards winery sits above the 11th hole and is open for tasting after a particularly rough front nine.

The bad: The numerous wetlands provide the feel of a wildlife area, but they also provide a nice breeding environment for bugs. Bring your insect repellent, especially in the summer months.

The score: No. 16 is a golfer’s nightmare. Long, uphill and usually into the teeth of the wind. The fairway is narrow and the undulating green, surrounded by two bunkers, isn’t visible unless the tee shot is belted. The back nine plays four or five shots tougher, but its character makes this course worth the trip.

*

Overall course rating: 3 1/2 balls.

* One ball: No-frills golf.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

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

**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.

*--*

Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 420 397 4 336 2 351 334 4 263 3 125 109 3 79 4 404 388 4 332 5 401 386 4 304 6 152 134 3 110 7 295 281 4 245 8 419 401 4 326 9 503 484 5 420 Out 3,070 2,914 35 2,415 10 389 374 4 301 11 457 436 4 348 12 154 124 3 96 13 477 455 4 393 14 412 381 4 312 15 551 523 5 453 16 453 425 4 332 17 157 136 3 102 18 411 392 4 321 In 3,461 3,246 35 2,658 Total 6,531 6,160 70 5,073

*--*

Rating/Slope: Black--70.3/125, Middle--68.3/119, Front--70.3/117