Had to squeeze in an evening nine holes at my favorite of the area courses during my CA visit. I found Rustic to be every bit as enjoyable as ever. While I didn't see any evidence of a recent small-holes aeration of the greens, I did see some aprons that were recently aerated. Fairways are immaculate but not exactly what I would describe as "fast and hard." The rough is super-lush in some spots and patchy as ever in others. I love the bunkers at this course for precisely the reasons that others hate them - they are tough, with variable sand conditions. If you don't want to play from these hazards, steer your golf ball away from them.

The bad news is that it was quickly apparent to me that no one has repaired even a single ball mark on any of the front nine greens for months. It's a genuine shame to see these greens on the verge of total destruction from thoughtless players. Nevertheless, this course remains among my favorites thanks to its unending diversity of choices of lines and shot-types to play. In terms of pure shot values, it's my opinion that you just can't find a better round of golf out here.

Back to CA for a visit and a round of golf. Found Coyote Hills to be in good shape. Course is certainly very sporty and offers some fun shots. Plenty of elevation change, obviously, and greens that will keep you guessing to be sure. $125 weekend feels mighty steep for this layout but you certainly won't feel like you're playing a muni and it is apparent that they do work hard to keep it in good shape. Worth a round.

Played my "farewell to CA" round today at Rustic and thoroughly enjoyed it (and happened to play one of the better rounds of golf I've played in some time, which was a nice sendoff). It's a phenomenal golf course in excellent condition. The fairways are just top-notch right now. They might be as lush as you'll find anywhere in this part of So Cal. Greens are running nicely, though noticeably slower than they have been in the past, and there's a definite, and unfortunate, increase in unrepaired ball marks on many holes. The rough here is still patchy in places and offers many uneven, sometimes nearly impossible lies, so stay the heck out of it! It can be hard to remember that approach shots here are going to bounce and release more often than not... but there's a good chance you'll have more fun if you keep that in mind.

Enjoy Rustic. It's a true gem, and a course I will miss a lot.

Played The Inn this morning and found lots of debris and many downed trees on the course - in fact, the back nine was closed today thanks to downed trees. The wind held off for us and it was just a beautiful day. There is a lot of dormant grass in the fairways and rough, so the course is a kind of yellowish-green, but it plays great and the greens are in great shape. We found a few greens to be a little bumpy at times but by and large they roll perfectly. They're very receptive to all kinds of shots but not so soft that you feel like you're walking on sponges. I think the best thing about this course is the feeling you have when you finish - it's just so beautiful, and the course is so pleasant to play, that you're energized and relaxed at the same time. True, it's not a long course, nor is it the hardest course you'll ever play. There are great shot values, though, lots of options you can play, and it's gorgeous beyond compare. You owe yourself a visit to this place, and at $79 twilight or with another special, it's an awesome value. Enjoy it - I'll remember each of my rounds there for a long time to come.

Played Saturday 12/16 in windy, showery conditions and found the Canyon Crest / Ridgeline combo to be in excellent condition. There are still a few areas of patchy sod here and there, particularly around #6 green on Canyon, but these areas are in play and the new grass is knitting in well. These nines are definitely back and in great shape. The greens were sensational as usual, and the bunkers are looking good and playing nicely too. It's great to see Moorpark come back after a tough time, and it is absolutely back!

Played a speedy early round today at Sterling and found the place in good shape except for the tee boxes which are just okay. They're pretty badly damaged in spots, and the eleventh tee was nearly nothing but dirt. Fairways are nice and they seem to be doing a better job with the bunkers now than they did in the past. Greens are running medium-fast with a really nice roll, and they're all at consistent speeds and softness, which is nice. My only complaint is that when it's cart-path only, it can be VERY difficult to get a yardage. The sprinkler heads were marked at one time with a kind of glue-on "chip" that had the yardage on it, and on at least 8 of 10 sprinkler heads I looked at today (it was cart path only), that chip had come off. That's life, I guess - bring your feel and some creative shotmaking, and you'll still have a great time at this sporty, interesting layout.

For a course that's about to close for nearly six months of renovation work, the place is in absolutely incredible shape. Far from letting it go, they're keeping it up to excellent standards. The greens are blazing fast and rolling perfectly true. They're generally firm but they definitely hold approach shots. Fairways are nice, with some dormant grass in the mix. The rough is just about completely dormant. The renovation plans call for restoration of all the bunkers on the course and we all know they need it. We played the tips today and got our heads handed to us. There was a frost delay this morning, and the Santa Ynez Valley definitely can get down below freezing, so watch those early morning tee times. This is a GREAT value at the current $85. I'm going to try to get back one more time before they shut it down in January. Really tough but fair course, in excellent condition, without crowds, in a beautiful setting, with good staff. Pretty tough to beat that.

I played Ojai Valley Inn on 11/2 for the first time since they re-routed the nines. At $79 twilight, this is an absolutely increcible value. It's not a place where you're going to air it out a lot; at 6300 yards from the tips you'll leave your driver in the bag on a lot of holes. That said, I doubt you're going to play too many golf courses that are as stunningly beautiful as this, and you'll get a good thinking-man's day of golf out of it, too. Though short, it's an incredibly effective design that makes you hit a good variety of shots and that gives ample opportunity to score well OR to make big numbers. And then there's the sheer beauty of the place, which is unsurpassed for our area.

Right now the course is in excellent condition with greens holding shots nicely, running quick and true, and with fairways, rough, tee boxes, and bunkers all immaculate. The staff is helpful and friendly, the course is stunning, challenging, and memorably interesting, and the combination makes for a sensational day of golf. I love this place and can't wait to go back.

Heard on the radio yesterday that the re-development plans for Rancho San Marcos have been approved by the various authorities and work will begin in January. The work includes changes to the course including apparently the wholesale rebuilding of some holes and changes to greens, the buildout of a 120-seat restaurant, and application for a liquor license of some kind. The report also mentioned that the owner plans 2 "pro-style events" per year at the course, although I have no idea what that might mean... maybe a Golden State Tour event or something... Anyway, seems like it'd be a good thing to get back out to RSM for a round or two before January; after the work I have little doubt that greens fees will be $150+.

Hadn't played Sterling in about three years, and I think I stayed away too long. The course is not in perfect shape, but overall it's pretty good - the greens are rolling nicely but do show a lot of ball-mark damage in spots. Fairways were a little thin in places and somewhat hairy in others, but for the most part I thought they were in very good condition for late September. The bunkers are in good shape, though sometimes kind of crusty. As far as design goes, this is a solid, sporty layout that gives a lot of options, isn't terribly penal, but does make you work for a good score. Holes that look like potential pushovers can really jump up and bite you, but at the same time, you can hit recovery shots around the place, too. It's a good value at $60/weekday. Not sure this course blows away others in the area but it's a good one to have in the local rotation.

As always, a day at La Purisima is among the truest tests, and best treats, in golf. While other courses are struggling through the end of summer to maintain top conditions, La Purisima is in great shape. Greens are rolling beautifully and though some seemed a little bit firmer than others, speeds were very consistent green to green. This course definitely rewards good shots and you can play it aggressively in spots, but you pay a very high price for trying hero shots in the wrong places. It's hard to imagine finding a better examination of your golf game anywhere. You owe yourself a trip to La Purisima - and when you go, make sure you're ready to think your way around the course and have your game thoroughly tested. You'll definitely find a spectacularly beautiful golf course and a day you'll not soon forget.

Played Ridgeline/Creekside this morning with some seriously hilarious guys (who could play a little, too, by the way) and had a good time. Canyon Crest was closed today and they're re-aerating the greens and seem to be doing some work on the fairways too; the started mentioned that all three nines had some "heat stress." Some fairways were rather thin, and several tee boxes were pretty badly beaten up but the greens on the Ridge/Creek combo were all in great shape. Apparently they're going to continue doing some spot aeration but I didn't hear where or how - it sounded like it would be a few greens here and there. Saw a nice-sized rattlesnake in the wash to the left of Creekside #5 (don't ask), so do be careful if you, uh, go looking for a few spare balls for the shag-bag.

Overall, Moorpark is in quite good shape - a hair below its normally perfect condition, but always a great day of golf.