Had the pleasure to play this Gem in the middle of Costa Mesa yesterday. It is hard to imagine such a unique layout in Orange County. Instantly, this course's layout is vaulted to the top of the pri... Continue »

Had the pleasure to play this Gem in the middle of Costa Mesa yesterday. It is hard to imagine such a unique layout in Orange County. Instantly, this course's layout is vaulted to the top of the private country clubs list in Orange County over Shady Canyon, Big Canyon, and Newport, Aliso Viejo, and Coto de Casa. The clubhouse is dated, but the course has tons of history. The course is links style, reminded me of Pinehurst #2. Others mentioned Wilshire Country Club. From the starter / front entrance, you see great views of the entire course. Greens were firm and brutally quick at a 12.5! YIKES!!! These were easily the fastest greens I putted on all year which includes many epic rounds. My previous fastest greens all year was Links at Spanish Bay running at 11.5. The greens were diabolic. They were getting ready for their Member/Member this week. I normally putt decent, but I was sadly humbled by these greens. I even had several 4 putts and even a 5 putt. Our host said he has played August National several times and said those greens are even more terrifying than here. The fairways, greens and tee boxes were pristine. Lots of hazards everywhere in waste areas with tricky lies like Pinehurst #2. If you do not drive the ball straight here, you can easily lose your ball in the native hazard rough and sand. The carts surprisingly had no divot mixes for a country club and the sand traps were probably a 8/10. Great mix of holes and some downright scary Par 3's, where you land the ball 30 yards short on a 160 yard hole and your ball will be 20 yards behind the green. The turn had pristine cutted and washed fruit cups and plenty of free snacks. After the round, there was a free salad buffet with free chili and minestrone soup. I got a margarita and it was easily 50% tequila. Cheers! All employees were friendly. I truly felt like a member for the day. If you ever get a chance to play this, do it. You won't regret it. The highlight of my day was making a birdie on Hole #1. My game took a dive off the deep end after that. I managed a few spectacular par's....at the end I loved the carnage...