Southland Focus
A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.
GLEN ANNIE GOLF CLUB
Address: 405 Glen Annie Road, Goleta.
Phone: (805) 968-6400.
Green fees: $49-$64.
Tee times: Seven days in advance.
The Facility: With the Santa Ynez mountains immediately to the east and the Pacific Ocean easily visible on a clear day to the west, this is a picturesque course, located about five miles north of Santa Barbara. Between the steep hills, the patches of thick fescue grass and the abundance of frogs and low-flying birds, there is plenty to keep a nature lover entertained. What other course includes a frog crossing? There is plenty to keep the avid golfer entertained as well, but not challenged to the point of frustration. Most of the fairways are wide, there are five par threes, and those holes that are narrower are cleverly contoured to the terrain.
The good: A pretty course, greens in excellent shape, and computer-equipped carts that not only chart your every shot, but enable you to order food, which will await you at the turn. Even the coots are kept under control by a border collie who maintains them in the water areas, a collie named, of course, Annie.
The bad: Cold weather had left some brown patches on fairways, which course officials say will be remedied in a few weeks. The steep hills, especially on the back nine, make this a tough walk. Better plan on taking a cart unless you’re in good shape.
The score: It’s not too close for those in the Los Angeles area, but, if you enjoy playing on a creative course in a beautiful setting, it’s worth the drive.
Overall 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.
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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 447 415 4 337 2 143 121 3 86 3 340 305 4 267 4 347 325 4 283 5 568 534 5 454 6 149 125 3 95 7 533 504 5 449 8 439 412 4 326 9 207 189 3 124 Out 3,173 2,931 35 2,421 10 577 554 5 448 11 183 152 3 121 12 286 266 4 244 13 322 304 4 268 14 526 497 5 454 15 397 352 4 311 16 391 374 4 330 17 212 180 3 149 18 353 330 4 290 In 3,247 3,009 36 2,615 Total 6,420 5,940 71 5,036
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Rating/Slope: Back--71.1/122, Middle--68.8/117, Front--69.5/118