I'd like to begin by thanking Johnny for setting this up. I know how much effort he puts out and it is very much appreciated. I had not played Bear Creek in 16 years, so was excited to return. I admit... Continue »

I'd like to begin by thanking Johnny for setting this up. I know how much effort he puts out and it is very much appreciated. I had not played Bear Creek in 16 years, so was excited to return. I admit that I did not have as much recollection of the holes as I expected.

When it was announced at the last moment that it was carts on path, I was disappointed but tried to be understanding. As I played the course, there was NO reason why carts should not have been permitted on the fairways! I spoke with a number of other players, and they were totally in agreement. Given the temperatures, the width of the fairways and the fact that drinking water availability was almost totally absent, this was unacceptable. (The few drinking stations I ran into were out of water) I understand when a water main ruptures and the fairways are flooded, but simply because they were dry to restrict carts was a poor decision.

I was not as impressed with course as much as I remembered it. The fairways were super generous (Which only made the CPO decision that much more difficult and time consuming) The greens were not quick. Because I don't think I hit one shot into them, I can't say how receptive they were. Fairways were brown but played just fine. Otherwise, the course was OK.

I play all my golf super early and rarely experience the heat and a five-hour round. Perhaps because of a bad back, which made the CPO more difficult that it would otherwise have been, it was a struggle for me, so I suspect I was not the best company for my playing partners, for which I do apologize.

Played in the Golfmoose outing on a warm and windy Monday. The staff was friendly and helpful. The practice facilities are well kept and small but sufficient. The carts were nice but lacked any gps... Continue »

Played in the Golfmoose outing on a warm and windy Monday. The staff was friendly and helpful. The practice facilities are well kept and small but sufficient. The carts were nice but lacked any gps, which I guess on a private course the members should know the hazards and yardages? Our group sent off on the 15th hole - so it made the layout a little odd. The layout is odd and somewhat confusing as you need to cut through the parking lot to find the back nine. The tee boxes were all level but most were a little thin and dry. The rough was no where to be found or was invisible. The fairways (or dry and dormant turf) were in very sad shape for a private country club. Most holes were extremely dry and roll out was maxed out on a few where your drives ended up in the hazards. The traps were many but were in excellent shape and very well groomed with good sand. The greens were super quick but rolled true with subtle breaks. The well struck shots into most greens did not hold very well with plenty or roll out. Several fairways had been dyed green but the turf was still almost no existent. I can't see myself spending the money to join if I lived in this private gated community.

Played 2-9-22 afternoon with Jim, John, and Blake getting around in a little over 4 1/2 hours with minimal waiting. Golf course is mostly dormant right now but still very playable. Tee boxes were in d... Continue »

Played 2-9-22 afternoon with Jim, John, and Blake getting around in a little over 4 1/2 hours with minimal waiting. Golf course is mostly dormant right now but still very playable. Tee boxes were in decent shape, mostly level with some divot damage on par threes. Fairways were dormant but painted green for looks, a lot of roll out with lies that were thin but still okay to hit from. Rough was thin and dry along fairways and around greens with some over watered soft spots in some areas. Sand traps were in nice shape with a good layer of sand and fairly easy to hit from. Greens were in really good condition firm and fast on putts and chips, but still holding on full approach shots.

Finally getting around to posting my review from an enormously fun GK Guru round on Wednesday at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta. The round was also a preview round where I get a chance to discuss ou... Continue »

Finally getting around to posting my review from an enormously fun GK Guru round on Wednesday at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta. The round was also a preview round where I get a chance to discuss outing details ahead of time at host clubs of our Golf Moose / Greenskeeper.org Private Course outings.

Fantastic Jack Nicklaus Signature layout that utilizes elements of the local natural terrain, such as hills, slopes, oak trees, boulders with some classic Jack water features and of course those slender, very undulating slick greens. Miss an approach on the short side, be prepared to be punished with a very difficult pitch shot.

The golf course was still in dormant winter condition as they don’t overseed. Thin, mostly firm Bermuda fairways, rough and green complexes. However I expect within a couple weeks with this warm weather waking up the Bermuda turf the golf course will get significantly more green and lush. Tee boxes in good shape with moderate divot damage. Bunkers were outstanding. White beautiful sand. Greens fantastic. Firm, fast and smooth.

Every staff member I encountered was very friendly an professional. The staging area is perfect for a large outing with a big driving range, practice putting green, clubhouse and golf cart parking all centrally located. I’m looking very forward to running a GM-GK PC Outing there on 2/28 and expect everyone to enjoy the experience.

I posted a few photos. Again the course is winter dormant so not too many pretty shots but still gives a good look at the feel of the layout.

I’d love to play out there again in Spring/Summer or Fall when the warm weather turf is awake.

Still, Highly Recommended.

I played yesterday in the Guru outing with Gary, Marvin and Steve It was great seeing everyone else too. What a nice day. The staff was friendly and welcoming. I hit a few on the range and putting gre... Continue »

I played yesterday in the Guru outing with Gary, Marvin and Steve It was great seeing everyone else too. What a nice day. The staff was friendly and welcoming. I hit a few on the range and putting green. If the on-course greens were to be that slick, I knew I’d be in for an adventure. I definitely should have tried the practice bunker….

The short, dry dormant grass of the fairways isn’t my favorite, but the extra roll out is always helpful. I found a few bunkers. The beautiful white, heavy sand here really gave me some trouble. The greens were great- smooth and fast.

I played from the red tees. There were several holes where the tee boxes were just small mounds with the markers only about 5 or 6 feet apart. They were not all level and had lots of divots. Being so small there wasn’t much choice of where to place the tee. It wasn’t really a problem, but I thought it was odd.

I enjoyed the layout very much. Such a variety of holes and there were so many really fun ones. I would love to play here again when the grass is green. I bet it would be just beautiful. Thank you, Johnny and Bear Creek for a wonderful time.

Played yesterday with the gurus on what was a delightfully pleasant day with the winds gusting between 1-2 clubs and enough to crack your lips by the end of the round. Played with John, Jim and Ron w... Continue »

Played yesterday with the gurus on what was a delightfully pleasant day with the winds gusting between 1-2 clubs and enough to crack your lips by the end of the round. Played with John, Jim and Ron which made for an excellent all around day. Staff was excellent at all points, and the facilities are pretty nice especially the ease of the practice facility layout in relation to the clubhouse. I thought the conditions were good for the area and winter, with the greens being the highlight and the fairways the lowlight. To be quite honest, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of overseed at a private facility such as this but what do I know. Not too much to add to the previous reviews, other than I found the green complexes to be very unique with some crazy possible pin locations. The layout is interesting and varied, with the majority of my favorite holes coming on the back with 16 being the standout. They also have a statue of Jack high above the 9th fairway on the left which is preposterous as Jack played a fade. Would love to return when lush in the spring/summer. Recommended if you can snag an invite or play in an event.

2/9 guru outing playing with Wendy Steve and Marvin very enjoyable and compatible partners. Warm sunny breezy afternoon with 420 POP. Fairways are currently dormant and thin but are expected to grow... Continue »

2/9 guru outing playing with Wendy Steve and Marvin very enjoyable and compatible partners. Warm sunny breezy afternoon with 420 POP. Fairways are currently dormant and thin but are expected to grow with the onset of warm weather. Rough mostly dry and whispy. Tees level and playable. Bunkers have really white sand mostly fine and somewhat varied in consistency as some groomed areas seemed heavier and less forgiving. Bunkers are large and often require a significant carry to reach the green. I found 7-8 of them and struggled.
Greens are firm and fast seemingly from all directions with plenty of slope humps and tiers. I had 8 1 putts of 4-5 feet and one in from the rough by the fringe. Unfortunetly or fortunetly they were mostly for bogey or on occasion double--shot 100 even with those heroics which also included a couple of 3 putts.
Staff very friendly. Large putting green small driving rancge and an additional practice area including a bunker.

Played with the GK Guru’s which is always a pleasure! These people take golf serious but not themselves, always lots of chuckles and laughing at our bad shots. Of course along with oohs and ahs for th... Continue »

Played with the GK Guru’s which is always a pleasure! These people take golf serious but not themselves, always lots of chuckles and laughing at our bad shots. Of course along with oohs and ahs for the good stuff! The course is in winter condition as Marvin said. Not much rough, lots of roll and some areas in the process of being repaired. Tees: level, thinly covered with some divots on the 3 pars as to be expected Rough: dormant, minimal and thin. I can see how nice (and would play more difficult) the course would look with nice full, green rough. Of course it would catch some errant shots as well! Fairways: again thin but playable for full shots but delicate pitches and chips were very difficult (at least for me) from what was described as painted hard pan. Lots of run which can be both good and bad depending on shot direction! Lol! Bunkers: mostly deep nice sand, some thinner spots, I played a few shots from both green side and fairway bunkers and found the conditions consistent in both. Precise contact was essential in the fairway bunkers and a good assessment of depth was necessary in the greenside traps Greens: the highlight of the course right now. Fast, true and mostly smooth, did I say fast? Exceptionally so! I liked them cuz I made a lot of long puts! :) Layout: the layout was mostly varied, only once did we get that “didn’t we already play this hole?” Fun tract with plenty of challenges POP: was our own pace and we finished at around 4 1/2 hours I think? Customer service: I gave it a perfect because I only encountered one member of staff and she was friendly, courteous and helpful. Facilities: snack bar closed before we made the turn? Grass range, putting green, short game area with a bunker and spot on the side of the range where flags were position at 10 yard intervals to dial in pitch lengths. From the outside the clubhouse ain’t much but it’s gorgeous on the inside. Nice setting, houses aren’t really in play and a fun round!

Played in GK Guru outing today with fellow gurus Wendy, Gary, and Steve. Weather was beautiful 85 degrees with a little wind here and there. Saw Johnny and Ron and said hi, talked to Blake and Jim t... Continue »

Played in GK Guru outing today with fellow gurus Wendy, Gary, and Steve. Weather was beautiful 85 degrees with a little wind here and there. Saw Johnny and Ron and said hi, talked to Blake and Jim to see things were going and it was off to the first tee. Steve and I choose the blues and one of the things I like about this course is that the fairways are wide and generous hit a good tee shot then you can take a rip at your second shot because the homes on the course don’t really come into play unless you really pull or push your shot. The course is in winter shape right now with fairways green while everything outside of fairways was dormant. The dry or dormant grass is easy to play from so no problem there. The tee boxes were even and level. Wasn’t too much rough to speak of and sand was very easy to play from. The greens were the star of the show they weren’t too quick and weren’t on the slow side either. Our POP was around 4 1/2 so that was a plus. I like this course and I would like to play more often if it were a little closer. I had great time seeing everyone and although my play wasn’t so good today, I keep telling myself there’s no where to go but up. Staff is always friendly and helpful and I definitely recommend this course if you get a chance to play here…