Newport Coast, CA--

Built among the rolling hills and narrow canyons high above the Newport Coast, Pelican Hill is a great golf complex worthy of its spectacular surroundings.  This Fazio-designed layout actually consists of two different 18-hole layouts: Ocean North and Ocean South.  On my recent visit we played the North.

With breathtaking vistas on many holes and multi-million dollar homes on others, this well-manicured championship course ensconces you with opulence that is rare for a public facility.  Of course, this opulence comes at a price, as this is one of Orange County’s more expensive courses.  But that investment will lead to many fond memories and the opportunity to tell all your friends you played a course that placed on both Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Course You Can Play and Best Public Access Course rankings.

Forced carries, a ton of bunkers, fairways lined with golf-ball-eating natural vegetation and large, undulating, multi-tiered greens make the North Course a true test of one’s game.  Fazio worked his magic here creating a fun and challenging course that seems to blend in with the natural surroundings.  With an assortment of tees length varies anywhere from 4,950 yards (gold) to 6,856 yards (Black).  With a variety of skill levels represented in our group, we elected to play to blue tees (6,516 yards) that proved a stern test of all our games.  Just how stern is reflected in the rating and slope of our azure selection at 71.4 and 130, respectively.

Located less then 15 minutes from John Wayne/Orange County Airport, 5 minutes from the upscale shopping district of Newport Beach and the Fashion Island Mall and 45 minutes or less from Disneyland, Pelican Hill can easily be worked in to family or work trips to Southern California.  Minutes from the course is the Four Season’s Newport Beach that offers first-rate accommodations and packages that can combine golf, spa treatments and shopping discounts.

The next time you, like me, may be looking for a special getaway and a great golf experience, make certain to keep this gem of the south coast in mind.

For more information on Pelican Hill Golf Club please call (949) 760-0707 or visit on the web at www.pelicanhill.com