Golf at Robinson Ranch
A public course with the markings of a private club
by Gary B. Hudson Everything about Robinson Ranch — from the friendly Khaki-dressed attendants who take your bag, assist your check-in, and escort you to the first hole, to the charm of the luxurious clubhouse — has the markings of a private club. But Robinson Ranch isn’t private. The public is welcome at this Santa Clarita course nestled at the base of the Angeles National Forest. In fact, this course, designed by and named for Ted Robinson Sr. and Jr. realized one of their dreams when they created this award-winning club-level course that is open to anyone. I’ve played this club’s two 18-hole championship courses, Valley and Mountain, so many times I’ve lost count. It is the resulting challenge of the two courses and their uncanny ability to always push and test my game that keeps me coming back. One particular challenge on the Robinson Ranch courses is keeping your ball away from protected habitat — the sage and chaparral — that lies beyond the edges of the fairways and greens on every hole. It can be frustrating to watch your straight ball hit the playing surface, then discover it has rolled down and away — and into the protected zone. Yes, you got it! A drop. I’ve taken many score-ruining drops by going only inches beyond this line. For this reason, it is crucial that you put your ball down the middle. The Mountain Course offers a different challenge. The edges of the fairways and greens on most holes slope away from the center. For this reason, even more so than Valley, you must keep your ball in the middle. Valley Course, from the Blues plays 6469 yards. Mountain Course plays 6172 yards from the Blues. On this particular outting to Robinson Ranch, my brother Milton and friend Joe joined me, with a fourth added to our group. We played the Valley Course. Overlooking the Santa Clarita Valley from the first tee, on a spot that was once part of a 400-acre cattle ranch, I often wonder what it took to transform the land into this golfer’s dream. But my focus quickly shifts back to the game at hand. The very first hole here presents a tough decision. Lay-up for fear of driving the ball past the fairway on a slight dogleg right, or let it go and hope no wind variance or slight bend of the wrist lands you in the verticle extended trap riding the right side? This time, to my delight, I found the middle of the fairway — but a bad second shot just right and off the green produced a bogey. [clearboth]
[clearboth]
I like hole #4, a long dogleg left par 5. From the blues it is 522 yards and if you strike the ball well on the drive and do the same on the fairway, you can reach the green in two. I’ve never done it but have come close.
After the 4th hole, Milton and Joe were starting to pull away from me. Frustrated, I put some blame on the speed of the A-4 bentgrass greens — some of the fastest in California. Putting the ball too far past the hole or not hard enough due to fear was turning into my theme. Brendon wasn’t doing much better. Joe, getting better with every round, was able to consistently keep his ball in the middle of the fairway, earning him three pars and one birdie by the time we reached the 6th. [clearboth]
The 7th hole, a par 3, is one of my favorites. The wide open green rests 180 yards below a hanging bluff. But there’s nothing but bush between you and the green so you have to hit it well. [clearboth]
From the tee on #9 you’re high enough to see the clubhouse and surrounding terrain steeped with poplar, sycamore and centuries-old oak trees.
[clearboth]
I was still trailing Milton and Joe by a few strokes at this time in our over-all bet, but Milton and I were tied on our front nine total-hole wager. I pulled my ball on the drive and had to take a drop. Milton hit his ball right down the middle, but hooked it on his second shot forcing him to take a drop.
At the 150-yard is a beautiful two-tier waterfall and a lake that is home to several birds — ducks, geese, egrets and herons, to name a few. Here, Milton hit and found the center of the green. My ball landed pin high, but off the green on the side of the hill. Milton made his putt and dropped it for a bogey.
I really didn’t have much of a chance to tie from the position I was in. But it all came together with a little luck and a chip with a 7-iron. We all watched my ball roll down the hill, across the green and stop so close to the hole that just a strong gust of wind would have blown it in.
We pushed on the back 9. [clearboth]
The 10th hole, back nine, is a straight shot down the middle. A slope 100 yards in front to the green will add another twenty five yards to the your distance with the run. [clearboth]
Hole #13 is the start of Death Row — holes 13-18, which are so-named because they are the six toughest finishing holes in Southern California.
[clearboth]
The 13th hole is a fun par 5. It runs 548 yards. At first glance appears benign as you stare toward a wide, open fairway with only a distant trap to the left and a wall of tall trees on the right to stop you. The ominous dilemma that awaits is a ravine 10 yards in front the green that will surely make you stop and think about your shot options. One has to feel really confident in club selection to make an attempt to get on in two. I always lay up.
If you can send your ball to the upper tier on #14, par three, you can watch your ball roll back down and come within a few feet of the hole. With dismay, I watched Joe’s ball do just that.
I conceded at this time that I was out of the victory running unless Milton and Joe completely fell apart.
The only thing I wanted to think about now was the Fish Tacos I planned to order at the Sycamore Bar & Grill. (The club’s culinary delights were voted freshest food made from scratch in Southern California by L.A. Times and the Santa Clarita Signal.)
The 15th is another spectacular hole with a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Every round, the undulating greens on #15 and #16 are a challenge for me.
[clearboth] 
Whether you’re hitting the ball well or poorly, the 18th hole finish is always a delight. So much can happen on this hole — and often does. Not only do you share the same waterfalls and lake as the 9th, but there is enough undulation on the fairway and an oak obstacle to keep you strategizing. Plus there is nothing like the feeling of chipping your last good shot toward the green with the possibility that on-lookers sipping martinis in the bar or banquet room could be watching.
Joe played well this week, earning his win.
Redemption is always a week away.
[clearboth] [hr]
About
Robinson Ranch Golf Club 27734 Sand Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 661-252-8484 RobinsonRanchGolf.com Green fees: Mon-Thurs: $87 or $59 twilight Fri-Sun & holidays: $117 or $69 twilight [hr]Robinson Ranch Golf Club hosts several professional, amateur and corporate tournaments throughout the year. The club also generously donates the facilities to Colleges and High Schools for practice and tournaments. And, if you’re looking to throw a party, Dorie Baker, the Event Catering Manager, will provide you with everything you need to get your birthday, anniversary, holiday, charity or wedding event off the ground.[hr] View Larger Map
#LAAL
]]>Golf at Robinson Ranch
A public course with the markings of a private club
by Gary B. Hudson Everything about Robinson Ranch — from the friendly Khaki-dressed attendants who take your bag, assist your check-in, and escort you to the first hole, to the charm of the luxurious clubhouse — has the markings of a private club. But Robinson Ranch isn’t private. The public is welcome at this Santa Clarita course nestled at the base of the Angeles National Forest. In fact, this course, designed by and named for Ted Robinson Sr. and Jr. realized one of their dreams when they created this award-winning club-level course that is open to anyone. I’ve played this club’s two 18-hole championship courses, Valley and Mountain, so many times I’ve lost count. It is the resulting challenge of the two courses and their uncanny ability to always push and test my game that keeps me coming back. One particular challenge on the Robinson Ranch courses is keeping your ball away from protected habitat — the sage and chaparral — that lies beyond the edges of the fairways and greens on every hole. It can be frustrating to watch your straight ball hit the playing surface, then discover it has rolled down and away — and into the protected zone. Yes, you got it! A drop. I’ve taken many score-ruining drops by going only inches beyond this line. For this reason, it is crucial that you put your ball down the middle. The Mountain Course offers a different challenge. The edges of the fairways and greens on most holes slope away from the center. For this reason, even more so than Valley, you must keep your ball in the middle. Valley Course, from the Blues plays 6469 yards. Mountain Course plays 6172 yards from the Blues. On this particular outting to Robinson Ranch, my brother Milton and friend Joe joined me, with a fourth added to our group. We played the Valley Course. Overlooking the Santa Clarita Valley from the first tee, on a spot that was once part of a 400-acre cattle ranch, I often wonder what it took to transform the land into this golfer’s dream. But my focus quickly shifts back to the game at hand. The very first hole here presents a tough decision. Lay-up for fear of driving the ball past the fairway on a slight dogleg right, or let it go and hope no wind variance or slight bend of the wrist lands you in the verticle extended trap riding the right side? This time, to my delight, I found the middle of the fairway — but a bad second shot just right and off the green produced a bogey. [clearboth]
[clearboth]
I like hole #4, a long dogleg left par 5. From the blues it is 522 yards and if you strike the ball well on the drive and do the same on the fairway, you can reach the green in two. I’ve never done it but have come close.
After the 4th hole, Milton and Joe were starting to pull away from me. Frustrated, I put some blame on the speed of the A-4 bentgrass greens — some of the fastest in California. Putting the ball too far past the hole or not hard enough due to fear was turning into my theme. Brendon wasn’t doing much better. Joe, getting better with every round, was able to consistently keep his ball in the middle of the fairway, earning him three pars and one birdie by the time we reached the 6th. [clearboth]
The 7th hole, a par 3, is one of my favorites. The wide open green rests 180 yards below a hanging bluff. But there’s nothing but bush between you and the green so you have to hit it well. [clearboth]
From the tee on #9 you’re high enough to see the clubhouse and surrounding terrain steeped with poplar, sycamore and centuries-old oak trees.
[clearboth]
I was still trailing Milton and Joe by a few strokes at this time in our over-all bet, but Milton and I were tied on our front nine total-hole wager. I pulled my ball on the drive and had to take a drop. Milton hit his ball right down the middle, but hooked it on his second shot forcing him to take a drop.
At the 150-yard is a beautiful two-tier waterfall and a lake that is home to several birds — ducks, geese, egrets and herons, to name a few. Here, Milton hit and found the center of the green. My ball landed pin high, but off the green on the side of the hill. Milton made his putt and dropped it for a bogey.
I really didn’t have much of a chance to tie from the position I was in. But it all came together with a little luck and a chip with a 7-iron. We all watched my ball roll down the hill, across the green and stop so close to the hole that just a strong gust of wind would have blown it in.
We pushed on the back 9. [clearboth]
The 10th hole, back nine, is a straight shot down the middle. A slope 100 yards in front to the green will add another twenty five yards to the your distance with the run. [clearboth]
Hole #13 is the start of Death Row — holes 13-18, which are so-named because they are the six toughest finishing holes in Southern California.
[clearboth]
The 13th hole is a fun par 5. It runs 548 yards. At first glance appears benign as you stare toward a wide, open fairway with only a distant trap to the left and a wall of tall trees on the right to stop you. The ominous dilemma that awaits is a ravine 10 yards in front the green that will surely make you stop and think about your shot options. One has to feel really confident in club selection to make an attempt to get on in two. I always lay up.
If you can send your ball to the upper tier on #14, par three, you can watch your ball roll back down and come within a few feet of the hole. With dismay, I watched Joe’s ball do just that.
I conceded at this time that I was out of the victory running unless Milton and Joe completely fell apart.
The only thing I wanted to think about now was the Fish Tacos I planned to order at the Sycamore Bar & Grill. (The club’s culinary delights were voted freshest food made from scratch in Southern California by L.A. Times and the Santa Clarita Signal.)
The 15th is another spectacular hole with a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Every round, the undulating greens on #15 and #16 are a challenge for me.
[clearboth] Whether you’re hitting the ball well or poorly, the 18th hole finish is always a delight. So much can happen on this hole — and often does. Not only do you share the same waterfalls and lake as the 9th, but there is enough undulation on the fairway and an oak obstacle to keep you strategizing. Plus there is nothing like the feeling of chipping your last good shot toward the green with the possibility that on-lookers sipping martinis in the bar or banquet room could be watching.
Joe played well this week, earning his win.
Redemption is always a week away.
[clearboth] [hr]
About
Robinson Ranch Golf Club 27734 Sand Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 661-252-8484 RobinsonRanchGolf.com Green fees: Mon-Thurs: $87 or $59 twilight Fri-Sun & holidays: $117 or $69 twilight [hr]Robinson Ranch Golf Club hosts several professional, amateur and corporate tournaments throughout the year. The club also generously donates the facilities to Colleges and High Schools for practice and tournaments. And, if you’re looking to throw a party, Dorie Baker, the Event Catering Manager, will provide you with everything you need to get your birthday, anniversary, holiday, charity or wedding event off the ground.[hr] View Larger Map
#LAAL
]]>Great Golf, Scenery, and Luxury — at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast
About an hour’s drive south of downtown LA lies the Newport Coast…
by Gary B. Hudson One visit to the Pelican Hill Resort’s website and I was enticed to check it out. Could those spectacular photos and the two ocean-view golf courses live up to the experience it suggested? I made arrangements for my visit and looked forward to it. My brother Milton, one of my four weekly golf partners, accompanied me for the game. My sister in-law Stacy and our friend Sarita joined us because the beaconing resort proved irresistible. [clearboth]
[clearboth]
Great Golf, Scenery, and Luxury — at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast
About an hour’s drive south of downtown LA lies the Newport Coast…
by Gary B. Hudson One visit to the Pelican Hill Resort’s website and I was enticed to check it out. Could those spectacular photos and the two ocean-view golf courses live up to the experience it suggested? I made arrangements for my visit and looked forward to it. My brother Milton, one of my four weekly golf partners, accompanied me for the game. My sister in-law Stacy and our friend Sarita joined us because the beaconing resort proved irresistible. [clearboth] [clearboth]
Great Golf, Scenery, and Luxury — at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast
About an hour’s drive south of downtown LA lies the Newport Coast…
by Gary B. Hudson One visit to the Pelican Hill Resort’s website and I was enticed to check it out. Could those spectacular photos and the two ocean-view golf courses live up to the experience it suggested? I made arrangements for my visit and looked forward to it. My brother Milton, one of my four weekly golf partners, accompanied me for the game. My sister in-law Stacy and our friend Sarita joined us because the beaconing resort proved irresistible. [clearboth] [clearboth]
Great Golf, Scenery, and Luxury — at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast
About an hour’s drive south of downtown LA lies the Newport Coast…
by Gary B. Hudson One visit to the Pelican Hill Resort’s website and I was enticed to check it out. Could those spectacular photos and the two ocean-view golf courses live up to the experience it suggested? I made arrangements for my visit and looked forward to it. My brother Milton, one of my four weekly golf partners, accompanied me for the game. My sister in-law Stacy and our friend Sarita joined us because the beaconing resort proved irresistible. [clearboth] [clearboth]
Golf in Calabasas!
Just off the 101 at Parkway Calabasas on the former Warner Ranch…
by Gary B. Hudson Driving along Parkway Calabasas we caught some glimpses of green but few clues that a classic golf course was hiding right beside us. [clearboth] Turning onto Park Entrada and into the parking lot of the Calabasas Country Club, my golf buddy Joe and I were greeted by orange-shirted escorts who brought us down to the Pro Shop. There we had the pleasure of meeting our escort, Tom Fink, the club’s Head Golf Professional. (It wasn’t long before we realized just how helpful it is to have a knowledgeable escort while playing this course for the first time). We also had the honor of meeting Dave Bartholomew, the club’s General Manager. Dave started as Head Golf Professional in 1992. His affection for the club and respect for his members are apparent. Before starting our game, while Tom worked with some members, we had the opportunity to warm up on the 6-hole Putting Green, the Driving Range, or the Dave Pelz Short Game Practice area. We opted for the Driving Range.
Like most golfers, I always wonder what that invariable part of the course — the design — will offer the most trouble. Would it be magnetic ball-drawing sand traps; narrow fairways that show little mercy for the slightest draw or slice, leaving me wishing I carried a machete; or slopes and hills that challenge my choice of club? At Calabasas what caught me by surprise, gave me some trouble, and challenged me to be more accurate were the false front, back, and side greens. I often witnessed our perfectly struck balls land on what appeared to be a flat surface then, ever so slowly, roll off. For this reason, the Calabasas course proved to be not only beautiful — but equally and delightfully tricky.
As with all better courses, there are always blind shots; cases where you can’t even see the flag from the tee box. At Calabasas there are seven— and at each we were glad Tom was providing guidance!
While many of today’s golf courses are designed as distance challenges, this 6,323-yard course is on the shorter side to fit within the tight spaces of the Calabasas hills. What you experience here is a more old-fashioned challenge. Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1906–2000), who designed this course along with his son, Robert Trent Jones Jr., in a rare collaboration, was known for his no-risk, no-reward arrangement of bunkers, water, and slopes to create a game of strategy. Oak trees, highly valued by the City of Calabasas and thus protected, cause more challenge. We weren’t the only ones who watched our ball ricochet off a tree.
[hr]
At each tee Tom well described the layout of the course, what direction the ball would roll toward the pin, and what placement, blind OB (out of bounds) and water pitfalls to avoid to give us an edge.
Tom also impressed us as an instructor. During the round, he shared helpful tips and pointers to improve our stance and swing. Each time we saw immediate improvement in our game and more eagerly anticipated our next game with our regular Tuesday foursome.
By the time we approached the 5th hole, Tom felt like an old friend. The beautiful thing about golf is that it always brings people together no matter how well or badly they play.
The 5th hole, Calamity Jane, was my favorite. I could have hit my ball blindly with a driver — and if I hit it well, over a clump of trees — been on the green in one. But many have tried and failed. I chose a hundred yard lay-up instead, then a soft 8-iron, which put me right on the green. I pared the hole. YEAH! [clearboth]
With added instruction from Tom, I hit the ball better on the back nine than on the front. And not only was the course just as challenging on the back as it was on the front — it was just as beautiful. But it was the 18th hole — its subtle undulations, water hazard, bunkers, and fast green that gave me the most trouble. I got a triple bogie. Need I say more?
When the round ended, I thanked Tom for being such a gracious host and guide and then gave him a strong handshake in thanks for his help with my game. The Calabasas Country Club lived up to all my expectations. It would truly be a pleasure to return and play the course again.
Feeling somewhat triumphant, Joe and I headed to the 19th hole for a cold beer. Dressed in a vest and bow tie, our bartender Valerie was a witty and entertaining gem. She’s been happily serving the club’s members for 25 years, which says a great deal about the almost family-like relationship between the club, its employees, and its members.
[hr]
The original stable from the film National Velvet stands beside hole #11. Here, Joe got some help from Golf Pro Tom. [clearboth] [hr]
California Movie Location History
Each hole at the Calabasas Golf & Country Club is named after a movie filmed on the grounds, as it was formerly the Warner Ranch. The original stable, which still stands at the 11th hole, was the actual stable shot in National Velvet; the 11th hole is, of course, named for that famous 1944 film.
Hole #2 is The Iron Mistress
Hole #3 is Burma Road
Hole #4 is Giant
Hole #5 is Calamity Jane
Hole #6 is Road to Rio
Hole #7 is Showboat
Hole #8 is So Big
Hole #9 is Danger Forward
Hole #10 is White Heat
Hole #11 is National Velvet
Hole #12 is Carousel
Hole #13 is Bright Leaf
Hole #14 is Good Earth
Hole #15 is Robin Hood
Hole #16 is High Noon
Hole #17 is Stalag 17
Hole #18 is The Miracle
[clearboth] [hr]