OAK QUARRY GOLF CLUB (951-685-1440)
Palm Springs Golf Course Review
Opened for play in the year 2000, Oak Quarry was created by Champions Tour star Dr Gil Morgan and the Schmidt-Curley design team. Located about 5 miles from Riverside, this spectacular 7000 yard championship layout was rated as the # 1 Best Inland Course in Southern California by Press Enterprise and by Tee It Up Magazine, and the 14th hole (Spinel Slide) was rated as the # 1 par three in Southern Cal by OC Magazine. Golf Digest has called Oak Quarry the National Park of Golf - the Yosemite of the golf world. In 2008 Oak Quarry was rated #3 in California and #26 in the U.S. by GolfLink.
The course winds through the historic Jensen Quarry - which in its heyday supplied 88 various minerals that were used in the construction of roads, buildings and residences in the greater LA area. Jagged rock outcroppings and views of the Jurupa Mountains highlight a surreal environment along a rolling terrain that is landscaped with some of the finest playing surfaces in the region - Pennlinks bentgrass greens and 419 hybrid bermuda fairways, tees and rough. Dramatic elevation changes also help make this a memorable experience.
There are 4 sets of tee boxes that play to distances and yardages measuring 7002 yards/137 slope, 6600 yards/133 slope, 6028 yards/126 slope for men and 136 for women, and 5408 yards with a slope of 121 for ladies hitting from the forward sets.
Pro Link GPS unit is located on each golf cart and on course yardage markers include sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green, 100, 150 and 200 yard blocks plus large rocks on both sides of the fairway in the 150 yard area. There is a pin placement sheet on each cart.
The clubhouse features a nicely stocked pro shop, casual restaurant/lounge that serves breakfast and lunch daily with wonderful views of the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, plus an outdoor patio. Arrangements for special events and outings can also be made. Practice facilities include an all grass driving range plus putting and chipping greens. An on property golf academy offers individual lessons, group lessons and corporate clinics.
There are 60 soft sand bunkers (some quite deep) situated along the landing zones off the tee or greenside, and water comes into play on 7 holes - none more ominously than on the extraordinary par three 14th - one of the most beautiful golf holes I have ever witnessed! No exaggeration, this is an incredibly unique par three, beginning from elevated tees to a undulating green fronted by the deep water of a former quarry, and backed by majestic rock outcroppings. Like many holes on Oak Quarry, there is some room for error greenside for those hesitant to strike at the pin.
There are many interesting holes on this layout, but 14 is the one that will remain embedded in your memory. All the par threes are gorgeous, and the par fives though challenging, are reachable with two well struck shots. There is plenty of opportunity to gamble, as doglegs over and around canyons and bunkers are numerous. Take a risk and you may be rewarded.
The round finishes with a flourish, as the 17th and 18th are separated by a beautiful natural area/pond inhabited by plentiful wildlife. Golfers will appreciate the fact that there is usually sufficient room on the fairways, and recovery opportunities are also quite possible near the green complexes. The putting surfaces are very undulating, which further enhances the challenge and enjoy-ability of a round here. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough. It is worth the drive from LA, Palm Springs and even San Diego! For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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