Southland Focus
A weekly look at golf courses open ot the public in Southern California.
EATON CANYON GOLF CLUB
Address: 1150 North Sierra Madre Villa Ave., Pasadena.
Phone: (626) 794-6773.
Green fees: $12.50-$14.50 (nine holes). The facility: The Los Angeles County’s finest nine-hole course, laid out against the mountains in a northeast corner of Pasadena. Originally planned as an 18-hole course when it opened in 1962, it ended up as nine holes when Pasadena High School took the land to the west. It was designed by William F. Bell, a Pasadena native who became one of the country’s most renowned golf architects. Although the course is run by DC Golf, the heart and soul of Eaton Canyon for its first 28 years was the late Hoot Whitaker, its first head professional. A plaque in his memory greets golfers in front of the clubhouse.
The good: It offers the average public course golfer a real test with narrow, tree-lined fairways, hilly terrain and comes with a driving range and putting greens. Its motto is “Make Our Day with Two Hour Play.”
The bad: It can be taxing for walkers. After five downhill holes, the climb back up the final four holes can be exhausting, especially on a hot summer afternoon. No. 6, a 449-yard par five, is dramatically uphill.
The score: It’s only nine holes, but the best bargain around is a second nine. For only $8.50, or $2 for seniors, you get a repeat round.
Overall rating: Two balls.
* 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 1 404 379 4 374 2 317 270 4 278 3 164 150 3 143 4 370 355 4 337 5 175 158 3 156 6 449 425 5 431 7 330 319 4 305 8 170 152 3 148 9 483 472 5 475 Total 2,862 2,680 35 2,647
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