Played in the SCGA Net Championship event. The course was in respectable condition -- but the staff went out of their way not to be supportive of the tournament. During the first round, aeration of the rough and around the greens took place. During the second round, fertilizer was applied to the greens. When asked about this, the General Manager replied: we don't adjust our maintenance schedules for anyone. And then there was the cart fiasco. Wanting to be sure that they got every last penny, the course -- unbeknownst to each player in a group -- charged each player $30 for the use of a cart. They rationalized -- after the fact -- that "you were supposed to ask your riding partner to pay you back $15." Back to the course: the fairways were exceedingly tight for a "first class" venue. Poana and rye were invading the Bermuda in places; and the greens were inconsistant; some were spongy -- even too soft -- others unforgivingly firm. The bottom line with this place is don't expect anything special from the staff; and the course is no value when a weekend rate, including cart, is $119. Please.

I played in the Pepsi event last weekend. I had only read about La Purisma -- and many times the Internet read on a course is better than the course itself. Not this time. This is a true, old-school championship layout. No Mickey Mouse holes. No trying to jam in a par 5 when a good, long par 4 would do. In fact, playing with two NCAA champions on the tournament's first day, I noted that neither of them had a real, solid chance to get home in two on any of the par 5's.

This is a great test of golf -- and it's an even greater one (in the true spirit of the game) when the wind kicks up in the afternoon. The greens are slick and true -- great undulations, and knowing where to land your approach shot is a must if you want to score. The one curiosity about it is that it's in the middle of nowhere, considering it's a first class golf facility and well maintained. My understanding is that the closing/ cut backs at the nearby Vandenberg Air base had a big impact on the local economy and the plans to build the corresponding development along the surrounding hills (not on the golf course, desert style) in the late 80s.

Get out there and play La Purisma. Seriously.