Landmark Golf Club at Oak Quarry, Riverside

* Address: 7151 Sierra Ave., Riverside

* Telephone: (909) 685-1440

* Green fees: $65 Monday-Thursday, $75 Friday, $85 weekends (includes cart and range balls).

* Tee times: 14 days in advance.

The facility: The Schmidt-Curley team has designed enjoyable Inland Empire layouts such as Oak Valley, the two PGA of Southern California courses and Goose Greek in the last decade, but they had never worked with terrain like this. The course, co-designed by Gil Morgan, was built into an old rock quarry on the Riverside-Fontana border and provides a unique setting. It approaches target golf at times, but there is usually more than enough room to pull out the driver.

The good: There are some great holes, but none better than the par-three 14th, which will take your breath away. Set down into the quarry, with a huge rock wall behind the green, this may be the best par-three in Southern California. The short par-four fourth hole also requires a rocky approach shot, and No. 6, the aptly named “Quarry’s Edge,” provides a challenge off the tee. The last three holes make for an exciting finish, particularly No. 18, a nifty par-four from an elevated tee. Check out a hole-by-hole report at https://oakquarry.com

The bad: Local knowledge is so important at Oak Quarry, but even after playing the course a number of times, you still can get into some nearly impossible positions because of vicious pin placements on the multitiered, severely undulating greens. Also, keep your sand game sharp, because you will need it.

The score: Oak Quarry may lack the ocean views or tradition, but it’s fun and affordable by today’s standards for new courses. And there is no higher praise than this: You will not want to wait to play this course again.