PGA WEST: TPC STADIUM & NICKLAUS (1986)

 

DESERT REGION

Semi-Private - 36 hole - cost: $115 - $195

56-150 PGA Boulevard, La Quinta, CA 92253

Tel: (760) 564-7170  

 

Designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus. The Nicklaus Course has deep bunkers, forced carries, and curvaceous greens that make this layout play tough. Since its opening in 1 986, the TPC Stadium Course's fabled challenge has made it one of America's must-play golf courses. Ample bailout areas around the water and cavernous bunkers make the course surprisingly playable, pro­vided you choose the right tee. The yardage listed is for the TPC Stadium Course. From downtown Los Angeles (about 130 miles east to the course): Take I-10 east, exit at Jefferson, and turn right. Follow Jefferson for about ten miles. Jefferson turns into PGA Blvd. Continue one mile to the clubhouse. The average golfer will crash and burn at the Nicklaus Tournament course. It has more of a Pete Dye severity. The TPC course received a bum rap from pros when it first opened, but is actually a playable course and a superb test of your golfing ability.

 

PHEASANT RUN GOLF CLUB (1998)

 

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION

Public - 18 hole - cost: $19 - $30

19 Clubhouse Drive, Chowchilla, CA 93610

Tel: (559) 665-3411  

 

Designed by Richard Bigler. This flat, residential development course boasts some challenging putting surfaces and lots of length. Water and sand add to the challenge, with the par-4 18th one of the toughest finishing holes around. Wind can make this course much more imposing. From Fresno (about 40 miles northwest to the course): Drive north on Highway 99 to Chowchilla. Take the Chowchilla/Robertson exit. Make a right on Robertson and follow to the course. Still on the young side, this reasonably priced course should only get better with age.