Strawberry Farms, a relative newcomer to the high-end public access golf scene, is inching nearer and nearer to its tenth anniversary. Opened in 1997, Strawberry Farms boasts top-notch facilities (both golf and non-golf related) and an idyllic setting that gives little clue that the 5 freeway is so close nearby. Absent the din of traffic and humanity, Strawberry Farms is an unassuming facility with a ranch style clubhouse, a comfortable patio area, and an expansive practice facility all welcoming each and every golfer that arrives.
The layout is a collection of mostly strong, playable, and entertaining holes. In congruence with the modest appearance Strawberry Farms embraces, there is nothing on the course that is too flashy (See: unnecessary fountains, island greens, 9-tier greens on the edge of an abyss). Set on the site of an old strawberry farm (of course, the impetus for the course's name) the terrain is gently rolling. Aside from the 18th, however, the course plays fairly flat tee to green. Fairways are typically wide, and the greens are very large. Though it's not a punishing golf course from the tee, the course does play tricks on your eyes, and the layout has enough variety to test both the left-to-right and right-to-left player's confidence and comfort level. Holes are often bounded on one side by environmentally sensitive areas, but they are far enough out of the way in most cases that claustrophobia is the farthest thing from your mind.
The signature 10th hole is an excellent short par 4 that tests even the most conservatively layed-up tee ball. Possibly the most photographed hole on the course, it bends around the Sand Canyon reservoir. Don't be alarmed if you show up and wonder where exactly the reservoir is, though. It's currently dry as a bone, but to be perfectly honest with you, there are thousands of golf holes that bend around water features…the empty reservoir with it's sandy bottom is still quite striking, and with the native grasses growing in this new "meadow", it's a unique sight and the lack of water takes absolutely nothing away from the hole in this writer's opinion.
Strawberry Farms is often in immaculate condition, and this most recent trip was no exception. The fairways were lush (to nit-pick, I'd prefer to see them a bit shorter, but given the season, the length is understandable) and despite their overall softness, tee shots rarely plugged (as is often a risk with such turf conditions). The rough is long and difficult, though not impossible. To me, the rough at Strawberry Farms is the poster-child after which all high end courses should model themselves. With fairways as wide as this course presents, there should be a penalty for an errant tee shot. I would have preferred that the sand in the bunkers was in better condition - in many places, the sand was closer to dusty dirt than true PGA-caliber sand. At a course of this quality, I'd expect the crisp bunkers that afford you the opportunity to play more than just a "splash and hope" shot. Tee boxes, an area in which I have noticed an increasing number of problems lately for other courses, were another strong point of the conditioning here: it's always nice to have tee boxes that are generally full of grass and mostly level.
The design team left the superintendent with a beautiful set of large and undulating putting surfaces, many of which have three or more distinct pin locations that can drastically change the strategy of the hole (The 4th and 14th immediately come to mind). Accordingly, greens that are overly fast or slow would likely prove to be a frustrating challenge. With consistent, quick, and mostly soft greens, Strawberry Farms gives the strong putter a chance to make up ground on the long hitter. Deft lag putting is a MUST if you expect to score well, and you'll invaribly find yourself faced with a handful of double breaking snakes. With the greens in their current condition, you can expect to make your fair share of 10+ footers. Roll it on the proper line at the proper speed and they'll fall.
Many will point to the hefty price tag as reason alone to look elsewhere for a round of golf. Those that listen to the detractors will be missing out on an excellent golf course that presents a complete experience few other facilities can offer. No, Strawberry Farms is not for everyone - the weekend hacker who is used to spending $25.00 for a round and yearns for little more is going to be out of place, but if you're looking to add a little spice to your weekend game, to splurge on a friend, partner, or client, and have set aside a day to enjoy in the sunshine and solitude of Orange County, then this would be an excellent choice. Allow me also to recommend the Doug DiCinces #11 Chicken Sandwich and the Strawberry Shortcake. Both are absolutely superb (the latter being available only in season I would presume) and enjoying these treats on the balcony outside the restaurant is a great way to start, break up, or end a day of golf.
In conclusion, though I venture to guess that most golfers can't find the ability within their budget to call this their regular course, it's worth a look on an occasion that's just a bit more special than your typical round. The golf is excellent, and the overall experience is top-notch…you'd expect a course at this level to provide friendly service, excellent food, attentive marshals, and pristine conditions…Strawberry Farms delivers on these promises.
