A quick update after my last review a month ago...the greens were back to speed today. They're running fast, smooth and true. Why do they always "punch" the greens when they finally have them just right. Better play Wilson before the end of March!

Played an early afternoon round on 3/1/16. The drought conditions persist but was surprised by the courses ability to maintain it greenery. I just walked on and was paired with a regular who said that the last time he played Encino, the greens were lightning fast. Today...not so much. Greens were much slower than I'm used too, and bumpy to boot. They were in much need of a mow. The fairways continue to be fast and firm, but patchy as you drift off the fairways towards the rough. The bunkers weren't an issue, if a little on the thin side. Fairways are wide open with large welcoming greens, which falsely lures me into believing I'm decent at this crazy game..ha! We could have finished in about 3 hours but were caught behind a sluggardly foursome. But my playing partner Charlie, kept me entertained with his stories as a cameraman during the Oscars. So good times. Come out and play it before they punch the greens next month.

Played early in the week and found the conditions similar to my last round about a month ago. The main issue are the greens. I thought last month that the greens had never been better and was really looking to playing again. Not sure when, but they have been recently punched and sanded...not the normal type aeration but a sort of mini punch. They still rolled somewhat true but much more bumpy and sandy and slower on several greens. Fairways where patchy and occasionally muddy but that is normal for the season. Bunkers remain on the thin side. Weather was great and was paired with a few cool guys so I still had a satisfying round. In short...the greens aren't great and may be a week or two away from returning to normal.

This was my first time playing Moorpark CC and enjoyed it very much. Our group played the Ridgeline/Canyon Crest combo this week and conditions played almost exactly as the previous post from last month described. Driving into the lot gave me the impression of a high end location right away, the course conditions we played continue to be pretty nice with large sloping greens that ran smooth and fast yet I found to be slower than what I'm used to. Overall, we had a very enjoyable time. I could potentially add this place in my top 5 of So Cal tracks. At it's peak condition this place would be amazing. I found it to be very fair and were rewarded with good results by my best shots and properly penalized with my multiple errant ones. My one critique would be that the lower handicapped players in my group thought it was a little on the easy or shortish side, even from the black tees. Many of the longer holes were negated by elevated tee boxes, they complained after the round that they didn't hit anything longer than a 7 iron from the fairway all round...not enough variety. If you are a long fader, this course is for you. #9 on C.C. is a great finishing hole. It's kinda on the pricey side but definitely worth the discounted rate we were able to acquire. We all had a very enjoyable round and look forward to returning in the New Year.

The greens are are all fine, the major problem continues to be what seems to be about 75% of the the tee boxes continue to be temporary. I should have called first like the earlier post suggested, but I trusted what I was told by the starter last month when he said that most/all the greens and tee boxes would be back to normal after the Special Olympics, which ended at the end of last month. WRONG. Playing conditions are very good (greens,fairways,etc) but so many holes are shortened by the forward tees, that Harding is playing like a longish executive course. So easy, that I can't feel right about posting my score on SCGA, haha. Oh well, moral of the story...call the starters office first.

A quick update: Overall playing conditions continue to improve since my last post 4 weeks ago. Biggest issue are the tee boxes. Most of them have gotten re-sodded or having major reconstruction. About 15 of the tees were temporary this week, so it is playing significantly shorter (easier?) than usual. I don't expect Wilson to be "normal" for at least a couple more months...hopefully I'm wrong.

It's been a while since I've last played here but decided to deviate from my normal track this week. First off, the starter had me waiting about an hour. While waiting, I saw several groups of three tee off, he must have forgotten I was waiting or something...bad start. The course shape is pretty much the same, fairly lush, narrow mature tree lined parallel fairways, length off the tee is not necessary to score. The greens were the biggest problem. I thought they would be in much better shape after their aeration last month. Still very bumpy and with various speeds on each different green. Otherwise it's a decent morning round. Best thing was the company I was paired up with and there's a ton a great places nearby for lunch.

The greens have mostly healed and were rolling true, but could really benefit from a good mowing to get them back up to speed. Construction and maintenance continue to be an issue throughout the course layouts of both Wilson and Harding. Wilson is mostly affected with about a 3rd of tee boxes being temporary. Playing shorter but still fun.

Whoever the greens keeper is for Balboa ought to get a raise. Aside from the occasional non fixed divot, the greens were excellent. I was expecting less lushness due to the drought conditions. Some parts of the fairway and were patchy but expansive fairways and fast but true greens has Balboa playing much easier than I remember. This game is hard enough but it's a fun, straight forward track that works as a good confidence booster. I don't why this course doesn't get as much play as it should. Come out and enjoy the great weather and greens before they begin the aeration.

Both Wilson and Harding are installing new cart paths throughout. So there are several holes that are abbreviated where tee boxes are moved significantly and several spots that are being cleared for the cart paths come into play with tractors and loading trucks coming and going. Otherwise, playing conditions throughout are pretty good.

Maintenance Alert: Harding surprised all of us on 2/11/15 with what looks like a mini-aeration. It would have been nice if the starters had mentioned the conditions of the greens BEFORE taking our $$. Overall, the rest of the course is playing good to very good condition. Despite the punched greens, some were able to maintain a semblance of a putting surface on the few holes where the maintenance crew was able to at least sweep off the dirt plugs. Best to give this place at least a week or two to heal up.

I played here for the first time in over 15 years and my initial reaction upon driving into the parking lot was not impressive to me. It looked pretty worn out in comparison to the neighborhood and from the freeway. As the previous reviews have stated, this place can certainly use a little more TLC, the property has so much potential to be so much more. Dated looking facilities, driving range, but decent carts. I didn't expect too much as I teed off. Yes, the tee boxes were in poor shape (not flat) but in better condition that in earlier reviews. The course was much greener than I anticipated, probably due to the recent rains but the maintenance crew was dealing with some flooding issues throughout the course. I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the greens. They were a little on the soft side but were very green and putt very smooth. I would say they were very good, almost great if they were a little bit faster. CS plays much shorter than I remember, maybe because I was a beginner but if you drive it relatively straight, you should easily score below your average. This place is perfect for seniors and women golfers. I had a great time on my return. I certainly plan to come back within the next 10 years at least. I hope I didn't just come on a "good" day and they can maintain the quality of this week.