IT'S A SWEET LAYOUT AT STRAWBERRY FARMS

By Eric Tracy
erictracy@earthlink.net

Before I talk about Strawberry Farms, I want to talk about its owner, former Angel third baseman Doug DeCinces,. When Major League Baseball was my beat DeCinces was my kind of player. Doug had good hands, was a clutch hitter and as important to me as a talk show host he was also always a terrific interview because he was more than just "baseball smart". Since retiring from baseball in 1987, the Orange County business community has learned DeCinces is as good in a board room as he was at the ballpark. Playing ball and growing up in Southern California people told DeCinces at every level he wasn't good enough to be a major leaguer. His15-year Major League career proved them wrong. As a businessman, he was told his idea for a golf course on a strawberry farm wasn't a very smart idea. Again he proved his critics wrong. Strawberry Farms not only makes money, but is one of the best run, high-end daily fee golf courses in the Southland.

Warming up: I never pass up a chance to play Strawberry Farms. The steering wheel-squeezing effect of a long drive down the 405 to Irvine from the San Fernando Valley is immediately dissipated entering the property. The whole place makes me feel good. The golf course presents charming challenges, I love the rustic clubhouse and Strawberry Farms is run well, from the cart-guys to the Pro shop.

Any question as to how the course got its name is answered immediately upon arrival. There's still a small working strawberry farm on the other side of a long white picket fence as you wind your way towards the starter. However, stop to pick, you best not leave any stains on your sweater, 'cause the marshals are trained to do whatever it takes to preserve the preserves. It's also amazing that as close as the course is to the roar of the 405, it's quietly tucked into a part of the hills you never knew existed unless you are a wayward UC Irvine student.

My Favorite Holes:

• No. 10, a 337-yard par 4 (12 handicap) the Strawberry Farms signature hole, which looks as good as it plays. It actually takes a moment to figure out where the pin is with all the eye-appealing stuff to look at. The beautiful dammed-up lake on your left shouldn't come into play unless you get greedy. And it's hard not to. The green seems close enough to drive, but why chance all that water Hit a fairway wood or a long iron, stay right, clear the weeds and enjoy the Kodak moment. PS: pay attention to the swirling winds, which add mystery to the start of the backside.
• No. 4, 402 yard par 4 (1 handicap): It runs along the road coming in on the right side, so pay attention for errant tee shots pushed left.
• No. 15, 134 yard par 3 (18 handicap): The trick is to figure out which way the swirling wind will take it. So don't volunteer to tee off first. Definitely take a long drag on the cigar watching the others in the group show "how easy" it is to land on the green. But pay attention to where their balls drift. Then go hit off the red tees (97 yards) and roll it up there.
• No. 16, 430 yard par 5 (10 handicap): There's a way to shortcut this one, with a wide landing area on the left side of the giant oak tree that you'd otherwise not notice. It's a clear 185 to the center of the green from that plot of land for a second shot.

Going, going, gone! If you're a baseball fan, ball playing is allowed at Strawberry Farms. DeCinces, the former All-Star third baseman has personal memorabilia all over the lobby between the clubhouse and dining room. Signed pictures of Roger Clemens, Deacon Jones, Sparky Anderson, Teemu Selani and Terry Donahue, to drop a few names, gives things a little celebrity feel.

How many balls to bring? Well, if they let you tee up a strawberry, which appears encouraged by the course logo, it'd be no problem. Except for the occasional explosion off the tee, at least you'd get to see where you hit. Lost balls are a fact of life here. Unfortunately, the wildlife factor prevents you from even attempting to go after them. "Environmentally sensitive" areas line the course and signs posted warn that even thinking about going into the habitat is strictly prohibited. Meaning, your duck hooks belong to the ducks.

More wildlife alert: The hawks soaring overhead have to know there are roadrunners trotting along most of the fairways. You'd think they'd be wearing marshal hats, speeding the play along. But these oversized hens aren't afraid to come out the sagebrush and sun out on a fairway.

It's All About Marketing: Strawberry Farms is marketed very well. The have dozens of corporate outings and charity golf tournaments here and they treat their clients like gold. Few ever leave. And nobody works Tournament Registration prior to event better than golf Pro Alex Baretto. Alex treats and works every tournament as if it were his tournament. If you're a golfer who surfs the net you'll find great golfing deals on their website. You'll find Couples coupons, Early Bird Specials, even a Family deal for 2 adults and 2 juniors. Check it, there are real savings. If you're an Irvine resident, you get a deal, too. The Strawberry Farms website is one of the better local golf sites on the net at www.strawberryfarmsgolf.com

Summing it all up: Strawberry Farms, while still young, is maturing and you can see she'll age well. The generally playable flat fairways don't present a heck of a lot of problems so the course lulls you into thinking it's going to be an easy afternoon. But, the afternoon winds present the biggest challenge; play after 2pm better bring lip balm and prepare to be frustrated. The backside plays much easier (it's only a par 35 with a trio of par 3s and that reachable 5 on the 16th), so finish strong, feel good and don't suddenly get an allergy to strawberry jam.

Eric Tracy

KFWB RADIO