Played in the final SCGA member outing today at the hallowed Hacienda Golf Club. A true hidden gem of a club, and a fantastic course. I had heard peop... » More

Played in the final SCGA member outing today at the hallowed Hacienda Golf Club. A true hidden gem of a club, and a fantastic course. I had heard people say if you get to do one SCGA a year try to make it Hacienda. The yearly event usually sells out within minutes, not sure how I got a slot but I am sure glad I did. This place is truly a special experience that I will never forget.

The clubhouse sits atop of the course and you can reasonably see a majority of the course by looking down. The pro shop is top notch and the locker room has that classic private feel to it. If you live close and have the means to join, this is the club you absolutely should consider.

The course right now is in very good shape. The greens are incredible, perfect in my opinion, held and rolled true. The fairways are being worked on in a couple low spots, but nothing to complain about. The sand traps, which have lips like I have never seen are great, a little wet from the rain the night before but they dried throughout the morning. The tee boxes were as good as you could ask for.

Overall, the experience was well worth it. I highly recommend this place if you get the chance.
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Out to Falcon Ridge today after traveling to St. George we decided this was the best course to play for the money that had a morning tee time. So we ... » More

Out to Falcon Ridge today after traveling to St. George we decided this was the best course to play for the money that had a morning tee time. So we decided that playing at 8:20 AM would be a wise decision. Unfortunately, it was 29 outside and we were under a serious frost delay that lasted about 30-40 minutes. By the time we started it was still in the 40's, which is hard on so many levels. The course is a tail of two nines, with the front supposedly easier than the back, however for our group that was the opposite. I think that all has to with the weather. Falcon Ridge, if you have never been there is a huge piece of property. Definitely cannot tell how big this course is without playing it. Each hole is unique and challenging. The course weaves through homes and across streets and around corners. It has a great clubhouse and restaurant with good bloody mary's and excellent food. The breakfast sandwich was well worth the 12$. The only down side here is no real driving range, just some nets and mats and old balls. The brand new carts are gas powered and can really move, the GPS should be installed sometime soon.

The course right now is in winter conditions with Bermuda dried out as the rough and the fairway/tee boxes are a rye blend that they do everything they can to keep green. The sand is a little rocky but still very good, and the greens when not frozen are rolling straight and held, surprisingly. When we finished about 4 and 1/2 hours later it was in the mid 60's, yes you read that right an almost 30 degrees swing from the morning.

Overall, I absolutely love this place its simply just fun, I highly recommend it and I hope to return in the spring or summer.
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Played in the SCGA outing today at the newly renovated Valencia CC. As a first time player of this course, I must say the layout was fair, however the... » More

Played in the SCGA outing today at the newly renovated Valencia CC. As a first time player of this course, I must say the layout was fair, however the conditions today were tough to say the least. We started on hole 5 after a 20 minute delay due to frost. I broke 5 tees trying to get that first shot off. I knew then that It was gong to be a long and challenging day. The greens today were so incredibly dry and fast they well over a 10 on the stimpmeter. The fairways were in good condition but dry and lots of roll. Without question some of the best sand I have ever played in, very new. The rough was basically none existent as they had removed a whole bunch of trees to completely re-do the course. According to the SCGA proctor of the closest to the pin contest, Valencia is going to put in a bid to potentially hold the Genesis championship when the Olympics are here in a few years. As the Olympics would use the Riv, and there is some clause that says they can only hold 1 large pro tourney a year. Hence Valencia attempting get that tourney for a year. Who knows?

As for Valencia CC as a member club to join, If I lived closer and had the means this would be one I would look into. It is a serious challenge of a course. The clubhouse, and locker room are very nice and very clean. Big lockers and I think I saw a sauna or steam room. The food is good according to the guys who ate. The practice green is large yet the driving range is not that big but suitable. Worth a chance if you get on, especially if you love an old school challenge.

Comparing this to the Oaks Club, I would say this course has more of a classic feel to it while the Oaks has more unique challenges and blind shots. Valencia has some bunkers that are perfectly placed.

Both were well worth the outing fee, and I would do it again if I get the opportunity.
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