CASABLANCA GOLF CLUB (1996)

DESERT REGION

Resort: 18 hole: cost $110 - $120

950 West Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite, NV B9027

Tel: (888 ) 711-4653     

Designed by Cal Olson. CasaBlanca is a rolling layout, which contrasts beautifully with the desert floor. The course features ample fairways, water on nearly every hole and plenty of sand. The bunkers are unique in that many of them are bail-out areas that will stop your ball from rolling into the lakes. This is a classic risk-reward course. From the Las Vegas Airport (about 90 miles north­east to the course): Take I-15 north to Mesquite. Take Exit 120, and the resort is on the right. Challenging enough, but playable. With its wetlands, it plays much more like a Florida course than a high desert one.

CASCADES GOLF CLUB, THE (1998)

LOS ANGELES REGION

Public - 18 hole: cost $40 - $85

16325 Silver Oaks Drive, Sylmar, CA 91342

Tel: (818) 833-8900    

Designed by Steve Timm, Bob Cupp. This is a very steep course with excellent greens (some with false fronts) and fairways that reward golfers with level lies. The front nine is packed in tight, and you will encounter an unusual hazard. power lines. The back nine is more spacious and provides an excellent test of your golf skills. Be conservative your first time out; lack of course knowledge can hurt your score. Carts are mandatory and included. From west Los Angeles (about 24 miles north to the course): Take the San Diego Freeway (I-405) north to I-210 east. Exit at Yarnell Avenue and turn south. Make a right on Foothill Boulevard and another right on Balboa Boulevard. Make a right on Silver Oaks Drive. The entrance to the club is on the right. The front nine is a little cramped the back nine is solid. We recommend weekday play or maybe an early nine-hole tee time off the back.