DE BELL GOLF COURSE (1958)

LOS ANGELES REGION

Public - 27 hole -cost: $15 - $25

1500 Walnut Avenue, Burbank, CA 91501

Tel: (818) 845-5052

Designed by William F. Bell. De Bell is short, tight, hilly, with no water and few bunkers. On a rare clear day, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The yardage listed is for the regulation­length course. It also has a nine-hole par-3 course. From downtown Los Angeles (about ten miles north to the course): Take I-5 north, exit on Olive Avenue, and head east. Turn left on Sunset Canyon Boulevard and then right on Walnut Avenue.

DE LAVEAGA GOLF COURSE (1970)

BAY AREA REGION

Municipal: 18 hole -cost: $23 - $50

401 Upper Park Road, Box A, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Tel: (831) 423-7212

Designed by Bert Stamps. This is a hilly and interesting layout that features two very challenging opening par 5s, the first and tenth holes. Accurate shot-making is essential, as there is an abundance of trouble to the sides. The course plays much tougher than it looks. You may be interested to know that De Laveaga once was the site of the Frankie Avalon Great Birdie Shoot-out using PGA Tour pros. Of course, if you are under 40 years old, you may not be interested. From San Jose (about 35 miles southwest to the course): Take Highway 17 south to Highway 1, driving south to the Morrissey exit. Turn right on Fairmount and then another right on Branciforte. Turn left on Upper Park Road to the course.