At The Cascades Just Go With The Flow

By Eric Tracy
erictracy@earthlink.net

You wouldn't expect to find a golf course where they built The Cascades. That fact alone is one of the features I like about this place. They found a very nice piece of hillside land in what might be considered an unattractive industrial part of the Northeast San Fernando Valley (Sylmar??) and created a very playable, very affordable and very interesting golf course. There may be more expensive golf at more beautiful locations but dollar-for-dollar you get more than you pay for here in your total golfing experience.

WARMING UP: The Cascades is tucked behind the Frito Lay factory, up the way from the new Toys R Us corporate offices and downwind from the County Assessor's office. Now I know you've seen this from Interstate 5 going north - that big water trough called the California Aqueduct that carries in our drinking supply from Northern California. That's not only how The Cascades got its name, but it's the landmark that generously gives up some of its place in history to some of the most entertaining golf-target shooting in these parts through the water, canyons and ravines.

MY FAVORITE HOLES:

• No. 3, 330 yards par 4, 17 handicap: Off the cliff and just right of the state landmark, you see that orange tube running behind the green? That's the original aqueduct piping. Look up to the right and there's the landmark trough with water cascading down. Now squint. There's a little patch of fairway to aim at somewhere down there, too, and if you miss it left, a long sandy beach awaits. Perform an ego check, tee off with a 3 iron, low and behold you're in the birdie sanctuary.
• No. 6, 487 yards, par 5, 5 handicap: That's the county tax assessor's office off the right, and those nice glass windows may appear to have bulls-eyes on them every year when your property taxes are due. Not that we encourage it. This is also the hole where two planes leaving Van Nuys Airport once crashed landed - no kidding - off to the left of that first fairway bunker. Ask anyone who saw it.
• No. 9, 400 yards, par 4, 11 handicap: A rolling, downhill shot that collects into a pile of rocks if you're not careful. Lay low under the power lines and order lunch on the onboard computer so you don't back anyone up around the turn.
• No. 13, 592 yards, par 5, 4 handicap: Coming off a 235-yard par 3, keep the heavy artillery out. Three bombs will do it, if it's in your bag
• No. 15, 395 yards, par 4, 14 handicap: Local knowledge helps. If the flag is in the lower tier in the front, you can see it. On the upper back, you can't and it'll add another 10 yards to the approach shot.
• No. 18, 450 yards, par 4, 10 handicap: Pretty water awaits if you decide to go left. The clubhouse in the background. Oh, go ahead and take a picture while you're at it.

DID YOU KNOW: If you can find any better food than what they serve up in the Cascades dining room, you're at a five-star restaurant. Executive head chef Allan Riddle, aka The Riddler, not only makes the best smoked tri-tip but if you're lucky enough to get there for lunch on a day he's got the Maine lobster, red shrimp and crawfish tails going in a sherry cream sauce over linguini, stay inside and feast. Golf can wait awhile. Most of the Cascades golf specials include some sort of meal. Don't pass these up. They include the Lobster Bake & Night Golf Tournament. The Friday Night Barbeque every Friday with live entertainment and great food. Monday Night Football in the bar with appetizer specials and golf giveaways. Sunday Brunch Buffet and NFL Football. Get on their emailing list and keep informed.

COOLEST PERK:

If it's your birthday - and bring proof, old timer -- you play free.

TEACH ME SOMETHING:

At The Cascades, PGA pros Bob Cisco and Jeff Anderson hold short game weekend seminars, relatively rare in the San Fernando Valley. Called the Short Game Boot Camp, this one-day, 6-hour class will do wonders for your score. Check it out. For more information call: 323-255-3935

SUMMING IT UP:

The front nine (par 36) is like a roller coaster and the back nine (par 35) will usually get you hooked into the beauty of the land. Not a lot of bailout area. It's definitely a thinking man's course - as in "What was I thinking?" But in all, it's a great accomplishment to take this land that otherwise wouldn't be used except for electrical poles and make it into something fun. What's the phrase, making a silk purse out of a sow's ear? In this land of Robinson Ranch, Tierra Rejada and Lost Canyons, The Cascades is champagne golf for a beer budget.

Eric Tracy

KFWB RADIO