Out late AM December 23rd. first time played. Great course that shows what can really be done. Layout exceptional: every hole a different story and challenge. Loved the green complexes- it’s a matter of taste. Great use of waste areas and bunker placement. Fairways in great shape- even if it was spring. Rough played well and fair.
Figured out fast that everything- I mean everything breaks toward the valley.
Not particularly convenient to get to but Rustic is worth the drive to play- compares favorably to Olivas and/or Soule Park.

Out early December 14th. Last time out end October. Walked with 3 others under 4 hours. The Ridge in really good shape right now. Usually pretty stingy with ‘great’ ratings- the greens are great. Impressive for this time of year. True, true true. No wobbles at all. Quick- one guy who has a stimp- figured they were running about 11. Regardless, they held and if you gave up the hole on a straight putt, forget it.
Fairways surprisingly lush. Rough and tee boxes fine for this time of year. Sand traps still need help [more sand]. Either that, or tell the guys to stop maintaining with a small tractor- simply damages the traps by compacting sand into rock.
Between the Lakes and Vineyard, Vineyard in better shape. The rains will do nothing but help. Until conditions deteriorate, Vineyard #1 on my roto.

Out early Dec 7th. Had not played there since end/Aug. Walked with 3 other riders in under 4 hours. Now is when it gets tougher to rate courses. The Lakes has gone dormant; for late fall early winter conditions, in very good shape. For the most part, the fairways are brown, but the lies remain spongy enough. Greens are very true and quick. Rough is thin. Sand traps need help- esp around the greens. If the ball stays on the upslope, little or no sand- you could break a rake tip off [this condition mirrored at Vineyard].
Overall a great value, a lot of fun and remains in my roto.

Lucky enough to get out Friday and Sunday [November 30th]. This is a great course. Certainly the rain last week helped perk things up, and the wind through San Jacinto Pass was down- but man, you think VC has great courses? They pale in comparison to the Dunes. Every aspect of the course was nearly immaculate: fairways [perky everywhere], rough [consistent height, few if any bare spots], greens [grain, undulating, and true], sand [consistent], tee boxes- consistent conditions throughout the course. I do not know how they can do it so well in the desert- but they do. And, the Dunes rates are a fraction of what you’ll pay in PS.
Take home lesson: after the marshal watched me 3-putt the 9th green, he mentioned that all greens break towards Indio. On that particular hole that day [red flag right from above the hole] it meant despite the slope moving right to left, the putt actually broke back up the slope to the right- away from the hole. Remembering that probably saved me 4 strokes on the back side- play the break that way if you get a chance to hit the Dunes.

Played August 24rd [whites] and 31st [blues]. This course is definitely in my rotation and will quickly become a favorite of locals. Worth a drive to play- the weekend fees are very reasonable [we’ve heard rumors the rates will go up]. Played the course often enough when it was 2x9’s- even then we liked it. The new holes are imaginative and challenging- you must stay focused at the Lakes at every hole. Miss and a big score awaits. Objectively speaking, the course is a 6-7 in my book and far outstrips Vineyard because:
- All the fairways have the same Bermuda hybrid grass. Spongy and yield a great lie.
- All the greens are bent grass and give the grainy, speedy challenges bent grass does.
- The rough and sand are very consistent. Good use of fescue grass on certain holes.
I try to throw a few tips up but to reiterate: hats off to River Ridge for designing some really creative holes. You will not get a break until #10- the only really ‘easy’ holes are that + #15.
#’s 12 and 13 are a genuine ‘Amen Corner’ and turn what used to be the ‘easy’ #1/10 at the old 9 into a difficult hole. All holes up on ‘Methane Mtn’ are terrific, and of course once the wind is up the Lakes become a completely different course.
As reference, for quality of play, especially from the tips, the Lakes are tougher and less forgiving than Olivas. VC golfers have it made: between River Ridge, Olivas, BV, and Mtn View we don’t have to drive very far to find 5 courses that offer completely different style layouts for very reasonable cost.

Out 9th- twilight; let us out early, no charge for a small bucket. Played Creekside/Cyn Crest [first time Cyn Crest]. Had not played here in over 2 years and was as good as recalled- it is worth a special effort to play here. Moorpark offers a variety of hole design and keeps the game enjoyable. Had heard criticism of Cyn Crest, I found it comparable in hole design with a tract home feel. Must hit the ball straight on all the 9’s or a big score awaits. As a two-some, cruised through in 3.5hrs no waiting anywhere.
All aspects of the course were great- greens have grain so be watchful. What was a slick downhill putt may not be on the next hole. Ran true. Fairways were near immaculate. In a single bunker [fried egg #3/Cyn Crest] and the sand was perfect. Clubhouse customer service was also very helpful- overall a fine afternoon of golf.

3rd out Sunday/8th. Very cool the second group let us through on the 3rd [already behind a full hole] tee and first group by #14. Able to finish under 3.5hrs.
I guess the greens were treated late Saturday- Sunday there was a light layer of sand and cross cut. Did not affect roll much and they were pretty slick downhill. By coming weekend they would likely be fully recovered.
Agree with all previous posts and Olivas has somehow snuck into a rotation for me- it’s come full circle and I personally have a lot of fun playing this course again. It challenges me to be a better golfer, especially around the greens+ course management off the tee. The fairways have greened up considerably so I rescind my previous ‘sandlot golf’ comment when the fairways looked and played like Abilene TX.

Out June 1st early- 2nd time in 3 weeks. Efforts to improve continue in the fairways/rough. More ropes and GUR markings than before. Some of these areas are 7+ [8/10/11/13/14/15/16/17] but yes the first fairways do need some help. Sand also remains packed in some bunkers.
Greens stay bumpy until #7. Certain these will get sorted out soon and if these conditions improve and hold, the course will play nicely next month at O-City Champ.

Out Sunday/18th early. Reticent to give glowing reviews these days because positive conditions can be fleeting. Conditions at the Ridge remain pretty consistent but there are 3 noteworthy aspects:
- Roped off fairways. Not seen often here. Getting serious about upgrading the conditions of trouble spots. Nice to see and overall conditions are improved.
- Ridge greens receptive? An oxymoron. Not Sunday. Greens were downright soft and held. Best example: 5w from 185y on #8; normally this would skip right through- hit the right side slope and held right there. Hm.
- Watch out for the sand. Packed pretty hard and a bit thin. But you can do it.
The bent greens on the ‘new’ holes [3-6] are finally maturing- have that bright green reflection going on and run pure. #6 held extremely well. Fairways still have punch leftovers up there- it’s nearly June and wonder how much they’ll finally grow in this year.
Finally, the last 4 holes for Victoria Lakes will not open until August. City tournament will play at Vineyard both days [in July].

Out early Sunday 13th. After ANCC, RRidge tasted like a decent meatloaf. Funny, a few mechanical changes+ 11% lower slope = much lower score. The course was down- warm, and absolutely still. Greens a bit bumpy on the front [early]- by #10 they were running RR pure; held nicely. The course balance is fine- a solid 6+ all the way around- maybe that rating is tainted by ANCC but I did not hear freeway noise for 3+ hours during Sunday's pleasant loop-

Not much to add to previous posts-
a] Customer service is perfect. I sat at the check in table for over an hour and observed the same commitment from the staff for all players- GK event or no. Hustling late arrivers to #1; shuttling golfers down to the range- very supportive.
b] The layout of the course is not too difficult- as long as you are not cutting across the ball as I was and pull hooking 75% of your shots. 2nd time out I'm certain golfers will figure out where to land the approach for shorter putts- and yes I'll go back out there.
c] If a Santana wind is blowing- best to add min +5 strokes to your goal. The course was down that day. However, it sits in a wind funnel along the 210 and butts up the mountains. With an east wind, it'll be a dervish.

Glad for the chance to finally get to ANCC- it's reputation preceded and actually exceeded my expectations.

Out March 2nd AM. I dunno- everyone is different and not all courses fit everyone’s eye. This is my third loop at Olivas; #3 and #2 basically walked away wondering why this course is so highly rated. Think the Buenaventura fairways are poor? They’re Sandpiper compared to Olivas. Not only are the lies thin, they are hard, zero bounce at all. This includes areas around the greens. Also, still have punch marks and some strange grass patches that the mud-hens feast on- I hope those threads of grass are not want will hopefully become the fairway grass sometime who knows when.
The balance of the course is reasonable- sand traps, tee boxes and greens- which run quick and true. I spend about 50% of my time hitting in the fairway towards the green so from my view 50% of this course is really poor. At least at Victoria Lakes- when the Bermuda hybrid grass is also completely dormant- the lies remain spongy. At Olivas, I was hitting off dirt lies or punch holes on all 9 of the fairways I hit.
3 more: we played from 2 different tee boxes [different genders] behind a foursome in carts [same gender] and waited constantly. The foursome was at least a hole behind- after #9 we could not see the next group. Marshals? = almost a 5 hour round.
Now the aprons have come back from the sanding nicely….but why are they fluffy? Shouldn’t they release a shot forward?
I guess walking through this barren landscape for 5 hours gets to me after awhile. I could smell the ocean and it was a glorious day. I’m landing on ‘sandlot golf’ to describe Olivas and will be back for the challenge- not the enjoyment of the course.