Here's To You Mr. Robinson!

By Eric Tracy
erictracy@earthlink.net

Golf course architect Ted Robinson Sr. has designed nearly 200 of the more respected golf courses in the country, from Indian Wells in Palm Desert to Salhalee Country Club in Washington. The Southern California landscape is dotted with Ted Robinson designs, including Sierra Lakes and Tierjas Creek, two other courses featured on this Southern California Golf Tour. However, Robinson Ranch, in Santa Clarita, is the first to bear the family name. Needless to say, this 36-hole facility is a living monument to all Ted knows about course design and a testimony to his family's California heritage. Accentuating the family point, Ted Sr. designed this one with son, Ted Jr. Robinson Ranch is mountains and valley, desert and greenery and wetlands and wildlife coming together for a wonderful golfing experience. There are no gimmicks here, just great golf. It's also fascinating how these two distinctively different 18-hole courses don't seem carved out of the raw land but rather gorgeously dropped in amongst the meandering sage and chaparral shaded by California Sycamores and Coastal Live Oaks. Robinson Ranch is first class all the way. You'll notice that right away. After checking in for your round, an escort takes you to the first tee explaining the course rules then hands you a laminated pin-placement chart. You'll be tempted to tip him right there, but remember the course motto: "It's not a private club, it just plays like one." Very soon the magnificent two-story clubhouse will open with a waterfall that will cascade from the top floor, down the wall, across the cart path and rest behind the 18th green. Very dramatic. Even without a clubhouse, Robinson Ranch knows how to party. This past May the cast of the hit TV show "ER" held it's cast party that turned it into a huge fundraiser with 288 golfers using both courses and raising six-figures for Cure Autism Now.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: This month Troon Golf has taken over the management of Robinson Ranch. I was very impressed with two other Troon managed facilities on this Tour, Eagle Glen in Corona and Monarch Beach at Dana Point. Word is they'll pick up a half-dozen more facilities in the Southland soon because of their successes here and across the country. The Scottsdale-based company knows how to manage facilities but what they really do well is market golf.

WARMING UP: The two 18's at Robinson Ranch are the Valley course and the Mountain course. But on this trip through Sand Canyon we're going to stick Valley course. We'll also spend most of our time talking about one of the more interesting stretches of 6 holes you'll play anywhere.

DEATH ROW:

Holes 13 through 18 on the Valley Course have adopted the nickname "Death Row". If you're behind in your match you'll probably think of this stretch as "The Green Mile." You're pretty much a "Dead Man Walking" if have to make up 3-4 shots. These may be the 6 toughest finishing holes in the county so don't expect a reprieve from the Governor. Save your energy, mental and physical, you're going to need it to finish this run.

• No. 13 (548 yard par 5). Your going to need two shots just to get to the 150 stake if you're fortunate, but you'll still need to get around an oak tree to see the green. Stay left and pray.
• No. 14 (209 yard par 3). You'll already be teeing off with a 3-wood, especially if there is any wind, but get this advice from the on-board ParCourse computer: "consider an extra club." Like what, a bazooka? A huge sloped green means you have to find the flat spot or else Mr. Maxfli will be rolling back at you. Don't be short.
• No. 15 (394 yard par 4) has another huge oak in the middle of the fairway- why don't they just call this "Fairway Oaks"? - and another two-tier green to wrestle with.
• No. 16 (386 yard par 4) puts a lake, large fairway bunker and a gorge into play, so the key is a nice 200 yard drive to the right and then boom it over the water. Careful you don't go too far or it'll roll off the backside like that Ryder Cup hole at Valdaramma.
• No. 17 (408 yard par 4) will coax you with its beauty, but you know it's a beast waiting to eat another ball. Beware of the dry creek protecting the green.
• And finally No. 18 (502 yard par 5), take a breath at the tee and consider walking home. It'll have been a rough couple of holes and you unfortunately, Mom won't be there to caddy or to sooth your wounded ego. If you want to look at my scorecard, I was 7-over for the 6 holes that are Death Row and very grateful that was all.

MY FAVORITE HOLES:

• No. 7, 180 yard par 3 (13 handicap) on the Valley Course. I must admit I love a golf hole that taxes your brain first. Teeing off from a giant hill down to a green protected by five pothole bunkers, No. 7 forces you to take into account every element of you game and the weather conditions. Check out what club your partner decides to use first before you commit to anything. Don't be surprised to use anything from a 3-wood to a 9-iron, so you'd better know your game.
• No. 9, 523 yard par 5 (3 handicap) on the Valley Course: One of several holes with a giant oak sitting in the middle of the fairway, this one, about 230 yards out, leaves little room on either side. So close your eyes and say a little prayer to the tree gods.

WILDLIFE: Robinson Ranch is a member of the Audubon Signature Program - no, you can't ask the birds for an autograph - and there's plenty of environmentally sensitive areas that they'd prefer you didn't go trampling into to find a lost Titlest.

SUMMING IT UP:

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, these two tracks in the shadow of some of the most beautiful mountainside Southern California has created, including glimpses of the famous Vasquez Rocks, are worth the price of admission. They'll be adding some homes - about 70 lots - but they're tucked away and mostly out of view. Robinson Ranch is not about crushing your tee shots, but rather thinking about where to put it and why. The greens are fast and true. Don't come in with a hangover. The smells of straw and hay from the nearby stables should wake you up, too. Before you leave, and you're in the pro shop trying to pick which Tommy Bahama shirt you want, grab all the gear you can with the Robinson Ranch logo. It's the best we've seen considering some of the gawdy stuff out there.

Eric Tracy

KFWB RADIO