Played this morning 8-20-11. The Ike is not in good shape at the moment. Overwatering a few weeks ago has caused fungus? to appear in the fairways. It has been a long time since I've seen things this scruffy. The fairways have muddy spots, hardpan, fungus, aeration holes, and other assorted conditions. The rough isn't much better, and some tee boxes are in bad shape too. The greens, for the most part, are rolling fairly quick and smooth, although the bottom portion of green #11 is in bad shape. So while the maintenance on the fountain on #1 and #18 is finished, the rest of the Ike is hurting a bit. I'd give it a few weeks before the conditioning improves. Overall grade for the conditioning: C.

This is a review for a round on Sun JULY 24. This was an early morning round. In my view, this is the best all-around public golf facility for serious golfers in SoCal. First, the price is reasonable. Second, there isn't any attitude from the staff here - the customer service is consistent, friendly, and competent. The starter knows what he is doing, water buckets on the course are filled, the grill staff is friendly, the modest clubhouse is kept clean and the food is very solid. Third, the conditioning is top notch - I've played a lot of rounds here and I really can't remember a time where the course was shaggy. The facility hosts top amateur and pro events - they know what they're doing. Fourth, the course design and hole variety is terrific. It's a fun course; perhaps not for a beginner, but if you're a serious golfer, this is the place to hone your game. It worked for Yani Tseng. An added bonus is that the routing gives almost every hole complete solitude; you're not seeing too many other golfers.

Played morning of aug 7. A friend and I decided to play a new track that isn't in our normal rotation for a change. We decided on Westridge, and we're interested to see if their new mgmt was making a difference in the golf experience. My observations are: a) I was leery of the course design, since I could see the entire course was built on the side of a hill, similar to Trump National. It was obvious the course architect didn't have a great piece of land to work with. I was prepared to hate it because I could see that you had to be very precise with your lines off the tee - you had to take that severe hill into account. So, for example, for the ball to drift into the middle of the fairway, you must aim left or right of the fairway - it is imperative to play the slopes. The design on the backside was more appealing. Westridge reminded me of DeBell in Burbank; Westtridge is just a bigger version of DeBell. But if you don't like billy-goat, target golf, this isn't your course. It is d%mn tight. If you're not an accurate golfer, try another course because losing a few sleeves will happen. b) The course conditions were spotty; some fairways were like light rough; the rough was inconsistent and choppy; tee boxes were a bit chewy. The greens were smooth and medium quickness. The conditions on the back were better. c) Service was good enough; there was a marshal who seemed to pay attention; pace of play was excellent as we finished in 4 hours. d) I'm not sure I'd play here again because the conditions were a little iffy for me, and I don't like the design. However, the course does force good course mgmt and precision, and I found myself concentrating better than I had in many rounds. I'd give the new mgmt some more time to improve the conditioning, but I think that the better OC option for almost the same click4teetimes price would be Black Gold (although that's another iffy design as well).

Played here Apr 2. This was my virgin round here. Overall, a good, positive experience. Service grade: A. Pro shop staff, starter, beverage cart, and grill staff were courteous and efficient. Course routing grade: B. This is a billy goat course - holes go up and down and around a canyon. The next tee box always is a loooong drive from the preceding green. Lots of blind shots. A few holes where houses are built too close to holes, but also a few holes with some spectacular views. You have to be strong off the tee to play here; if you tend to top a few off the tee, this isn't the place for you. There were some weak holes, many average ones, and maybe one or two inspiring ones. On a few holes, it felt as if I were playing pool because so many slopes come into play. Conditioning grade: A-. The conditioning was consistent and good overall. It was well maintained. Overall grade: I paid about $85 for my round thru a discount site. That's a fair weekend price. The rack rate is about $120 - I personally wouldn't pay that, although I think the GM deserves credit for putting together a staff that provided good and friendly service.

Played morning of Apr 3. This was my first round here in quite a while, and the first since Morongo bought the facility. The conditions were awful - shockingly bad. It was sad. This used to be a first rate facility because the courses were well-conditioned. The conditions were so bad that I have to believe there is a reason for the madness. The first fairway felt like light rough. The first two greens might as well have been shag carpeting. Tee boxes were chewed up. I am sure Morongo has some plan for the course - there is absolutely no way any self-respecting superintendent can ask golfers to play this course in this kind of condition much longer. I have been coming here since the course opened, and remember what it was like before the homes were built. I'll give Morongo a pass for this round, but not another one.

Played morning of Feb 12/Sat. The Babe is in top notch shape. I think the front 9 is going to be used for the Kia Classic. The course is immaculate right now; greens are rolling fast and smooth, a lot of the rough has been cut down, tee boxes are looking great, and the fairways are tight. The superintendent is doing a terrific job. If you come out and play in the next couple of weeks, be aware that some tee boxes are closed and you may also notice some other cosmetic changes. Some trees have been removed and the sightlines are improving. This facility isn't sitting on its hands - they're continuing the improvements here all the time.

Played afternoon of Feb 12/Sat. The Ike is in fabulous shape as they continue to get the course ready for the upcoming Kia Classic. This facility is the best public facility in SoCal. A first rate experience without any pretentiousness. The staff is friendly and very professional. They work hard to please you without being overbearing. The pond on #2 is being drained and some other work is being done as well, but it won't detract from your experience should you go out the next few weeks.

Played afternoon 8-7-10. Played my first round here in nearly 15 years. I know that this is a historic course, but frankly, I don't think the layout is that good (I know, it's a George Thomas design), and for the price, the conditioning was poor. Basically, I was disappointed. The greens were inconsistent, some were pockmarked, and the rough was wildly inconsistent. Tee boxes were shaggy and the bunkers were just average. For the rates the facility charges, I cannot recommend this course. There are far better values, e.g., Soule Park, which is just down the street.

Played mid-morning Jun 15. I've had the privilege of playing a lot of great courses, but this one definitely makes my Top 10. Today, the conditions were absolutely perfect. Greens ran about 10, and every aspect of the course was well-tended. But what I really like about this course is how management pays attention to the details. For example, the Starter was on the ball, there is a sign on the 1st tee box spelling out the day's course condition, the beverage cart was everywhere, the marshal was firm but friendly, and when you leave the course in your car, there is a sign that thanks you for coming. The wildlife there is pretty incredible too. The course is located inside a park, so you'll see geese, wild turkeys, and people taking their horses out for ride. But the very best thing about this course is the design. It is pure genius. I really think this is one of the best Billy Bell designs out there. You will play every club in your bag and you'll be thinking off every tee box. Billy brought his A game to this design. Elevated greens, doglegs, sloping terrain, small greens, blind approaches, deep faced bunkers, false fronts. It's a great and subtle ride that Billy takes you on. If the conditioning today is the norm, then Sac golfers should really thank the golf gods for this course. One of Billy Bell's best efforts.

Played mid-morning on Sun May 9. Overall, the course is in pretty good shape. The greens have been smoother and faster, but they're certainly good right now. The only thing I noticed was that the fairways are a little shaggier than normal. Once they cut them though, the course will play much faster than what I played this morning. This is the best public facility in SoCal in my opinion. The staff does a great job and the awards show that people are noticing.

Played midday Sun Mar 14. The greens still are a little bumpy from the recent aeration, but they are very playable and fairly quick. The rest of the course is in A+ condition. The fairways are immaculate - just pristine. The rough has been cut back, and is fairly uniform. Today was a postcard day at the Ike; lots of snowcapped mountains to look at. Marshals were out and were friendly and helpful. Now if we could only get the golfers to rake those bunkers...

played early Sun Jan 17. Like the Ike, the Babe is in equally great shape. The greens are in the best shape I've ever seen them on this course. Smooth and glassy. The fairways are very tight, and the rough is very lush. The tee boxes are in good shape, but I think they need to be cut a little lower. All 36 holes at this facility are in tip top shape - now is the time to play here.