BIXBY VILLAGE GOLF COURSE

LOS ANGELES REGION

Public - 9 hole - cost: $5-$11

6180 Bixby Village Drive, long Beach, CA 90803

Tel: (562) 498-7003

Designed by Ron Fream. For golfers who play here thinking they will be able to shoot Tiger-like numbers, think again. The course is rolling, with rough and bunkers guarding undulating greens. From Los Angeles (about 30 miles southeast to the course): Drive south on I-405 to Bellflower Boulevard. Head south to the Pacific Coast Highway. Go south on the Pacific Coast Highway. Make a left on Loynes and another left on Bixby Village Drive.

BLACK GOLD GOLF CLUB (2001)

ORANGE COUNTY REGION

Municipal - 18 hole - cost: $52 - $99

17681 lakeview Avenue, Vorba Unda, CA 92886

Tel: (714) 961-0060

Designed by Arthur Hills. Sitting 750 feet above sea level, Black Gold offers excellent views of Orange County and Catalina Island. The course, bordered by the Chino Hills State Park, is rolling, with a traditional feel. Not overly long, the course has strategically placed bunkers. The greens are medium-sized with some undulation. You will find water on eight holes. The golfer who is patient and can manage their game will score well at Black Gold. Golf carts are mandatory and included in the green fees. From Anaheim (about ten miles northeast to the course): Take Highway 91 east to Imperial Highway north. Exit at Lakeview Avenue. Follow the signs (northeast) to the clubhouse. Cart-path golf is not my thing. If you can get past that, you will find the course quite enjoyable. Is it worth $99 for non residents on weekends? Relative to Orange County, probably. Relative to the Inland Empire, no.