Oak Valley Golf Club

Oak Valley Golf Club: With the impressive San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountain ranges rising up in the background, you can be sure that your round at Oak Valley will be both scenic and challenging. The course comprises two nine-hole loops, with pairs of holes making their way out-and-back from the clubhouse in classic links fashion.

The more undulating front-nine starts out alongside I-10, then turns away from the busy freeway at the par-4 4th; the layout really comes alive at the excellent par-5 5th. These lightly tree-lined holes are home to several elevation changes, generally good-width fairways and plenty of dips and mounds creating the need for good course management.

The flatter, but more water threatened back-nine follows a path through a quiet and pleasant natural valley. No surprise that many oaks, as well as pines and other tree varieties line the way, giving an almost woodland feel to some of the holes. Good fairway and greenside bunkering features throughout, while the lush grass skirting the fairways may impede your chances of hitting the greens in regulation.

Among the pick of many excellent holes, the par-4 7th is played from an elevated tee to a not overly large elevated green, while the par-5 16th and short par-17th both have water dangerously threatening, making for a tough closing stretch.

Scenic views of the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountains provide a backdrop for many holes, while the housing that flanks each pair of holes, is never intrusive and often not too noticeable.