FOUNTAINGROVE GOLF & ATHLETIC CLUB (1985)

NORTH COAST REGION

Members Only - 18 hole

1525 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Tel: (707) 579-4653

Designed by Ted Robinson. This is a beautiful, demanding, hilly course, where the fairways seem to get smaller as the day goes along. Do everything in your power to stay in the fairway. Several elevated tee shots provide not only some special views, but blind shots as well. Reciprocal play is available with members of other private clubs. From San Francisco (about 55 miles north to the course): Take US 101 north to Bicentennial Way and go east. Bicentennial Way merges into Fountaingrove Parkway. The entrance is up the hill, on the left. Hopefully my honorary member­ship will be coming through soon.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT AVIARA GOLF CLUB (1991)

SAN DIEGO REGION

Public/Resort - 18 hole -cost: $105 - $195

7447 Batiwebsite: uitos Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Tel: (760) 603-6900

Designed by Arnold Palmer. This is considered among the best courses that Arnold Palmer has designed and one of the the best in the San Diego region. The waterscaping and bunkering make for a beautiful challenge. Carts are included and mandatory. From San Diego (about 30 miles north to the course): Take I-5 north, exit at Poinsettia/Aviara Parkway, and turn right. Take another right on Batiquitos Drive. The club is about two miles on the right. Attached to the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlsbad, this is for when the non-golfer in your life wants to "be with you." Everything about the hotel is top-notch and luxurious, though the course, while top-notch, is certainly not worth the money. But you don't go to Aviara simply to play golf; it's a mini-vacation or you've done something wrong and you're trying to make up. It's also notorious among Hollywood types for being the locale the husband says he's getting away to for a couple days of golf with the boys, but then spends nights in Tijuana checking out the local strip clubs, et al.