Southland Focus
A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.
L.A. Royal Vista--East-North
Address: 20055 East Colima Rd., Walnut
Phone: (909) 595-7441, (800) 334-6533.
Green fees: $21-$44 (carts mandatory before 11 a.m. on weekends).
Tee times: Seven days in advance.
The facility: There’s a driving range and short-game practice area at this 27-hole layout, the East and North nines longer than the South by more than 200 yards. Full pro shop and dining areas, plus a snack bar.
The good: The courses were upgraded and several holes changed a couple of years ago. The fairways have been cut in nicely and are framed by plenty of trees. Elevations change throughout and most holes have at least moderate doglegs. The two par fives on the North course are excellent, interesting holes: No. 4 runs downhill, over water, then down and up again to the green; No. 6 involves a risky second shot through a chute not quite as wide as a flagstick.
The bad: The condition can be pretty spotty; some greens are like putting on minefields; some tees are very firm without an awful lot of turf. It’s a little rough around the edges.
The score: A marked improvement over the days when it was known as L.A National, then Pomona National. It has enough trouble on most holes so that you won’t get away with poor shots. It’s a legitimate test.
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Overall rating: 1 1/2 balls.
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* One ball: No-frills golf.
** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.
*** Three balls: Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.
**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.
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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 498 471 5 453 2 423 395 4 382 3 193 173 3 152 4 352 340 4 327 5 402 370 4 348 6 168 136 3 118 7 521 496 5 473 8 387 350 4 329 9 360 345 4 330 Out 3,304 3,076 36 2,912 10 418 375 4 285 11 210 160 3 128 12 375 335 4 320 13 490 448 5 432 14 205 165 3 140 15 585 544 5 510 16 360 326 4 315 17 420 385 4 364 18 170 150 3 139 In 3,233 2,888 35 2,633 Total 6,537 5,964 71 5,545
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Rating/Slope: Black--71.2/120, Middle--66.8/114, Front--71.2/120
