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GK Guru Recap The Boulders (NORTH) Carefree Arizona

The Boulders (North)

Carefree, AZ

ALERT: Overseeding
Will be overseeding 9/17 – 10/7, reopening 10/8 and likely cart path only for 2-3 weeks after reopening.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 6.70 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.70 GOOD

Great time on Friday teeing up with GK’ers Daveygolf123 and rjmart at The Boulders Resort North Course. Since there was very few golfers playing, we joined up at times to make a fivesome (not allowed) with GK’ers sixpez and mpisarski01. Tons of fun.

Regarding the golf course, I think we caught the perfect storm…at the wrong time. The place got absolutely slammed the night before by monsoon rains/micro bursts. It was very wet, there were busted branches, washed out bunkers, downed cactus, and areas being cleaned up after flooding. To the golf course’s credit the grounds crew members were hustling and all over the place. Also you could tell the fairways were being less tended to with overseeding approaching (not uniformly lush as expected). So I need to circle back and play this track again. It was however in very good shape. Greens being the highlight mostly smooth, firm and moderate speed. Something tells me had they been able to cut and roll the greens instead of dealing with storm damage they would have been much better.

I’ve seen photos of The Boulders for years, however those signature pictures are almost all taken of the South Course, not the North “members” Course we played. The North course is still a very good fun layout but does not have the “wow” effect of the South Course. I snapped a few pics anyway.

GRG - GK Review Guru GoodService was excellent. The Clubhouse feels like a country club and they even have a separate looker room for The Boulders members. The breakfast burrito was outstanding, thank you GK’er rjmart for picking that up for me. I did not get a chance to use the driving range but it looked nice, all grass and lush. Word of advice, use the bag drop. The members parking takes up the majority for the front parking lot and the walk from the back lot to pro-shop is long (especially in the summer).

To repeat, I need to play this place again and catch it when it’s in its typical condition. I also need to play the signature South Course. Maybe 36 in one day? That would be a blast.

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GK Guru Recap: Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California

Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 16

Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club

Dinuba, CA

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

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Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 1 Green-side
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 1 Green-side

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Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 13
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 13

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Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT

Great time Wednesday teeing it up at 3:30pm with GK’ers Alex326, cencalhack, rgm2525 and CenCalGolfer33. Finished in 4 ½ hours. Would have been quicker but we let some singles and a twosome play through.

The Review

Golf course was in excellent condition. Fairways a 10 for me. So lush with perfect lies all day. Greens were in great shape although very soft so there were many marks since each shot left a big ball mark and too many golfers decided not to fix theirs. Never bad enough to impact your putting much but hurt to look at the scares on such nice greens. Last time I played the golf course the greens were firm so this was a change. Also they were faster last time but given the forecast is 10 days of 100+ temps, I understand the need to keep them a little longer. Tees super lush in great shape. Rough, oh boy, you don’t was to find the secondary rough, its very long fescue and unless you get lucky your ball is bye-bye lost. The primarily berumada rough was just cut so we got fortunate because with all the heat and humidity I could see it being brutal sticky difficult to hit from under normal circumstances. The bunkers greenside in good shape with quality sand. The fairway bunkers pretty firm which I don’t mind.

Personal Thoughts

I love this golf course. The layout is a blast. Great ball striker grip and rip track. Ample room to find the fairway but spray a shot, any shot, the golf course makes you pay big time with very tough bunkers and as mentioned very difficult rough. The greens are challenging yet fair. Nice, big and undulated. There is not one let down hole. I wish this golf course was not 3+ hours from me but I gladly make a day trip once or twice a year to play it from SoCal. Treat yourself to this gem one day.

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Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 4
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Hole 4

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Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Clubhouse & Practice Area
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Dinuba California Clubhouse & Practice Area

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Practice facilities are very large and loaded with everything. They even have a some dedicated wedge zones with green complexes. It’s awesome.

Restaurant is excellent with a view of the 9th hole. This was the first time I did not eat there when playing the golf course because we finished so late.

Staff very friendly and professional.

Check out the photos I just posted. We played under a red sun due to the fire near Yosemite – however smoke did not effect the day, it was high in the atmophere.

Highly recommended.

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GK Guru ReVisit Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 17

Reflection Bay Golf Club

Henderson, NV

Reviewed by: sdscratchorbust, Scottsdale

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 9
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 9

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 14
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 14

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Played here Saturday morning with the Greenskeeper OG’s. JohnnyGK live and direct, Kevbig, and mpisarski01. Big shout out to Kev for hooking up the hometown discount, and Johnny for making the drive much appreciated.

I don’t need to rehash all that was said below as they are spot on. It’s a beautiful course. Great views and water elements, as well as forced carries over ravines. Every hole was different and it felt like many different types of courses blended into one with a wide variety of holes. The views of the reflection along the water are one of a kind.

It was a shame it was so unbearably humid at the end because it took a lot of the enjoyment away but the course is one of a kind. Only minor nitpicking was the shaggy greens but you can’t win them all.

Course’ layout isn’t too difficult but I rarely had a flat approach which led to the difficultly and emphasis on shot making and ball striking here.

Great time with good people and a great course.

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GK Guru Visit Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada

Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 8

Reflection Bay Golf Club

Henderson, NV

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 18
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 18

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Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 8
Reflection Bay Golf Club Henderson Nevada Hole 8

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Golf Playing Conditions 7.48 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.48 GREAT

Had a super time playing with GK’ers Kevbig, mpisarski01 and sdscratchorbust Saturday morning. We teed it up at 6:50am and got around in 4.15 hours. Golf course was in great summer shape and as a first timer playing it, I loved the layout. Been wanting to play here for over 10 years and the golf course met my expectations.

There are a wide variety of holes with about 4 or 5 playing next to Lake Las Vegas and others rolling up, down, dogleg left, dogleg right through canyons. Green complexes are all well protected and interesting as you would expect from a Nicklaus design. Although I did think for a Nicklaus design the greens were rather tame. Not as much undulations or as slender…this is a good thing in my book. I think where there is the most demand on your game is your approach shots. There never is an easy one and the first hole greets you with long par 4 forced carry over water for a second shot.

Conditions are very good for the Summer. With all the recent rains I will project the fairways will only get lusher as weeks pass. Greens rolling nice and not too summer bermunda turf slow. There is just no way a golf course can chance cutting greens low with average temps over 100. Bunkers in great shape with quality sand. Tee boxes lush and level. Rough was not that high but still very difficult to play from due to the sticky humid day and ball tending to sit down in the bermunda turf.

As for service, excellent. Very friendly and professional. Saw many marshals and on course beverage service.

I’m impressed with Reflection Bay Golf Club and would like to return to play it in the Fall to see what it’s like after over-seed. As of now a great summer option.

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GK Guru Visit Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California Recap

Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

Glen Ivy Golf Club

Glen Ivy, CA

Reviewed by: sparky14, San Clemente

Played Glen Ivy on 6/12 with the GK Gurus. I haven’t been to Glen Ivy since 2010, interesting to see how the course has matured.

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT

Visually, growth in the native areas has blocked the view of landing areas on a few holes – so course knowledge will help. I recommend a yardage book if you are not familiar with the course as several holes are difficult to see where the proper line should be.

GI appears to be one of the few SoCal courses actually putting money into the course. Things are better than I remember from a decade ago. Even in June, when the hot season is in full bloom in Corona, the greens are green, plush and soft. Fairways and rough are good, but you can see the start of the heat effects as things are getting crusty. Sand was good, but again the top level is getting baked by the heat.

I enjoyed the course more than I have in the past. Lots of elevation changes, so many holes play much shorter than their posted yardages. If you get the ball in play, there are birdies to be made, and even more birdie putts that will lip out at the last second. Dang it.

Highly recommended.

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California
Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

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GK GURU Visit Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California: RECAP

Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

Glen Ivy Golf Club

Glen Ivy, CA

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks
Was my first time playing Glen Ivy Golf Club yesterday 6/12 in Corona, CA. Good times with GK Gurus!

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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I loved the layout the way it trailed through hills, elevation changes, doglegs, scenery, challenging yet fair, fun greens, exciting approach shots. Was a fun blend. I thought the conditions were great with beautiful healthy greens (medium speed, smooth and holding shots), excellent coverage in the fairways, quality sand in the bunkers, nice tee boxes, the only aspect of the golf course that was mostly lush but dry and thin at times was the rough. Overall, considering how dry that region is, they are doing an excellent job keeping it watered. I agree with sparky14 that you can see some of the region heat effects with browning areas. But every lie had plenty of grass cushion. My guess given their commitment to keeping it lush (their owner plays the course himself virtually everyday) they will probably just water it more to combat the heat. POP yesterday was only 4 hrs. Just an FYI, right now they are doing a major upgrade to the driving range so it will be closed for some time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this golf course, I can’t believe it took me over 15 years since launching Greenskeeper.org to finally play it! Highly Recommended.

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California GK Guru Visit
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California GK Guru Visit

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RECAP: GK Guru Visit Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

Glen Ivy Golf Club

Glen Ivy, CA

Reviewed by: cthuyen, Los Angeles
Had a wonderful time with the GK Gurus yesterday.

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California GK Guru Visit
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California GK Guru Visit

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.02 GREAT

Been over 8 years since I visited Glen Ivy’s Golf Course. New Ownership took over 2 years ago and the improvements are very apparently once you pull up to the parking lot. Spoke to the cart attendant, who was very happy with the new ownership. Customer service was good through everyone I interacted with. The facility was as I remembered, nice clubhouse with a separate dining bar area with reasonably priced food, free tap water with lemon and $1 bottle waters!

Now to the course.

The tee boxes need leveling on most of the blue tees and divot repair. The fairways and rough were in good summer shape and the highlight of the course were the greens, smooth for the most part, running around 9/10 and quicker as the day got hotter. The layout was exceptional. I forgot the unique variety of holes here. The sand traps (fairway and greenside) were raked and had decent coverage as I was in them almost 6 times. Had the wonderful pleasure of finally playing with JohnnyGK himself and Steve and Rich!

In the glory days, the course was very scenic between the vistas and the various ponds and running fountains. Obviously, because of the drought, many of the water elements have dried up. There is still water on Hole 18.

Look forward to returning in the near future.

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Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California
Glen Ivy Golf Club Glen Ivy California

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RECAP: GK Guru Visit Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

Tierra Rejada Golf Club

Moorpark, CA

Reviewed by: Mrkich, Los Angeles
Played a couple weeks ago in the Guru outing.

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Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California
Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

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Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California
Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

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Golf Playing Conditions 6.28 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.28 GOOD

I played here about 6 months ago and was thrilled with the conditions this time around.

The highlight of the course, as per usual, was the greens. They were fantastic. would rate 8.5/10 due to some inconsistencies in speed and receptiveness. They rolled true and generally held shots well.

The fairways were lush and provided a great hitting surface. There were some dry spots but mostly on the steeper slopes in the fairways. Not necessarily bad since it prevented the ball from stopping on those steep slopes.

The tee boxes were good as well.

Was in a few bunkers throughout the day. the green-side bunkers were stocked with nice sand, fairway bunkers had good sand as well but were spotted with some pebbles.

Overall a fun day with the gurus and would like to get back out to TR soon.

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Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California
Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

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Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California
Tierra Rejada Golf Club Moorpark California

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