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BREAKING: GreensKeeper.org Announces WORTH THE GREEN FEE Awards 2021

Worth the Green Fee Honors for 2021 from GreensKeeper.org

Worth the Green Fee Winners for 2021 from GreensKeeper.orgBest Playing Conditions Winners for 2021 wouldn’t be complete without the Worth the Green Fee honors as well.  So GreensKeeper.org presents its Worth the Green Fee Honors for 2021.

Worth the Green Fee” is award to the golf courses open to the public listed on GreensKeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing a consistent, quality golf experience at an outstanding price.

Let’s face it, golf can be VERY expensive, especially post Covid-19.  Thankfully for us, it doesn’t have to be.  All you have to know is where to play to get your best value and that’s something GreensKeeper.org excels.  In addition to helping golfers decide where to play their next round of golf based on reviews, ratings, and maintenance alerts, we’ve recently revamped our GK Coupons, GK Plays and GK Guru Visits.  Stay tuned for more chances to play some spectacular golf with our GK Golf Club or our USGA sanctioned SCGA GK Golf Club.

How Award Winners Are Determined

Golf Course Reviews and ratings submitted by our 76,000+ GreensKeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months.  Winners are determined for each area.

This year we divide awards into 11 Regions —  San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Inland Empire, Santa Barbara County, Palm Springs Region, and Ventura County with Regional Winners for Southern Nevada, Southern California, Central California, and Northern California.

We provide the list below in no particular order.  This is done on purpose.  Any golf course that provides outstanding conditions in their region should not overshadow other golf courses simply because of their location.  For most avid golfers, the playing experience is what matters.  Knowing where to play in your area is important.

Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA
Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA

Editor’s Note:  Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017.  It proves that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org.  We are the RESOURCE where avid golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round.  “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org.  You’ll be glad you did.

And Now our Winners for Best Playing Conditions for 2019 (in no particular order). . .

Click on images below to visit their Golf Course Home Page on Greenskeeper.Org.

Arrowood Golf Course Winner Worth the Green Fee San Diego County 2021 Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club Winner Worth the Green Fee for Orange County 2021
DeBell Golf Club Winner Los Angeles County Worth the Green Fee 2021 Soule Park Golf Course WINNER Ventura County Worth the Green Fee 2021
Goose Creek Golf Club Winner Inland Empire Worth the Green Fee 2021 La Purisima Golf Course Winner Santa Barbara County Worth the Green Fee 2021
Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Resort WINNER Palm Springs Region Worth the Green Fee 2021 The Club at Sunrise Winner Worth the Green Fee Southern Nevada 2021
Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club Winner Worth the Green Fee Central California 2021 Rancho Solano Golf Course Winner Worth the Green Fee for Northern California 2021
Soule Park Golf Course WINNER Ventura County Worth the Green Fee Southern California 2021
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Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Soule Park Golf Course

Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Reviewed by: sbarajasjr, San Diego
Played here 5/22 as part of GK Cup match with Ron on a wonderfully sunny and not very breezy Friday with a 7AM tee time. Course was packed today and I can see why; it’s in fantastic shape. Standard COVID-19 precautions in place.

Golf Course Playing Conditions 6.97 GOOD
Golf Course Playing Conditions 6.97 GOOD

Tee boxes: Good shape, a few with some uneven lies, but nothing that would cause major issues (avocado tee boxes).

Fairways: Good to excellent shape with good roll especially as the day progressed. Lies today were more than fair, even as no divot mix was available to fill the holes.

Rough: Penal in areas where it exists, though the natural lateral areas and non-rough areas were far more penal. A large amount of trees in play on the entire course make you think about your shots more carefully.

Sand: Was only in one bunker, but it had a good amount of sand that was just the consistency I like. No rakes obviously however no issues with footprints.

Greens: Good shape, few divots, roll was fair. Breaks on these large greens can be tricky at times, but if I am making putts, they can’t be that hard to master.

ETC: Please see review from GK Cup match. Highly recommend coming out here as conditions are good and it’s a walkable course.

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Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Soule Park Golf Course

Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Reviewed by: kviser, Saugus, CA

Playing Conditions 7.04 GREAT
Playing Conditions 7.04 GREAT

I played here today at first light. One threesome ahead of our four; as you know, due to the C19 protocols, everyone is walking. It made for a great pace, at least for the group ahead of our 4. We might have been faster than the four hour round if not for the extra practice swings by one in our group. Hint: Not me! Notwithstanding that nonsense, I found it to be totally zen and watching the sunrise light up the course was icing on the cake.

I have not played here in quite some time; not since 10/2016. Wow! What a difference three and a half years makes! Green grass everywhere! Large aprons and collars around the greens, very much like Rustic Canyon! That’s a good choice for this course as it can be long at times.

Other than the above, I don’t have a lot to add to mdames’ review. The greens remains on the medium-slow side. There were a couple of subtle breaks, but nothing crazy.

The tees ( I played the Avocado tees) were level and had good grass coverage. Some were very firm about an inch and a half down. There was some maintenance ahead of us. A couple of guys were fertilizing tees and the long cut from the tee to the fairways. Nice to see crews working and keeping the course as nice as possible.

Fairways were a joy to hit from. Great coverage everywhere. Soft enough to take a divot, but firm enough to run a ways on a low trajectory shot.

The rough had good coverage as well. It ranged in height from about 2″-3″ to knee deep native areas. Best to stay away from that stuff.

Bunkers had great amounts of fluffy beach sand. A couple had a thin layer of sand over some hard pan, but mostly those were in the fairways.

Greens and approaches were really nice, but on the slow side. We thought they would speed up, but no significant change in speed happened by 10:00 when we finished.

Overall, I think I got a great bargain at $30. I booked on their website and it appears that the tee sheet is pretty full up all week long. I might try to get back there in two weeks on my next Friday off.

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2019 Worth the Green Fee for Southern California – Soule Park Golf Course

WTGF-Soule Park Golf Course - Worth Green Fee - SoCal 2019

Worth the Green Fee Award 2019 by GreensKeeper.org

This year GreensKeeper.org awards Soule Park Golf Course Worth the Green Fee 2019 for Southern California.

Worth the Green Fee” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing a consistent, quality golf experience at an outstanding price.

Let’s face it, golf can be expensive.  It doesn’t have to be.  All you have to know is where to play to get your best value and that’s something Greenskeeper.org excels.  In addition to helping golfers decide where to play their next round of golf based on reviews, ratings, and maintenance alerts, we’ve recently introduced our GK Coupons service to extend their deals directly to our golfers.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 78,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We divide awards into 11 sections —  Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]Editor’s Note:  Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017.  Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org.  We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round.  “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org.  You’ll be glad you did.  [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA
Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Recent #GolfCourseReview

GDR23   
Posted: 01/06/20 6:43p
Member Since: Mar 21, 2006
From: Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 7.87 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.87 GREAT

Walked the Orange tees this morning 1/6/2020 at 10am with my buddy Mack, buddy and fellow teaching pro Brian P. and his nephew Jake. Great group to play with. We came in a shade over 4 hrs for pace of play on an absolute perfect day for golf, low 70 temps with no wind. Very friendly staff checking us in. They have a range here with mats, separate little chipping area and a nice sloped putting green.

I have been playing this course for many years and cannot remember the greens being this nice. Very quick and firm on putts and chips(would say close to a 11 on the stimp), yet holding irons beautifully. For sure the highlight of the course. Staff should be commended on how nice the greens are. Very undulating big greens here where they can put some awesome challenging pin locations.

Rated 9/10 Fairways were semi-lush with most areas green and lush(especially for early Jan). Some wet and muddy areas in shady areas.

Rated 7/10 Tees level and in good shape.

Rated 7/10 Was not in any bunkers(thank goodness) but let me tell you they are white marble and are very thick. Great player in our group had a hard time getting out of them. Our group described them as almost having too much beach like sand. Would rather have to much sand rather than hard rock bunkers. Rough was mostly mowed down, uniform length and mostly lush.

Rated 7/10. Soule’s green complexes will challenge players along with holes 6 and 8 on the front nine and hole 14 on the back nine.

Had a career round out here today–even if I didn’t—– I just love the layout and weather up here. Recommended.

GreensKeeper.org Worth the Green Fee Awards 2019
GreensKeeper.org Worth the Green Fee Awards 2019
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2019 Worth the Green Fee for Ventura County — Soule Park Golf Course

WTGF-Soule Park Golf Course - Worth Green Fee - Ventura 2019

Worth the Green Fee Award 2019 by GreensKeeper.org

This year GreensKeeper.org awards Soule Park Golf Course Worth the Green Fee 2019 for Ventura County.

Worth the Green Fee” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing a consistent, quality golf experience at an outstanding price.

Let’s face it, golf can be expensive.  It doesn’t have to be.  All you have to know is where to play to get your best value and that’s something Greenskeeper.org excels.  In addition to helping golfers decide where to play their next round of golf based on reviews, ratings, and maintenance alerts, we’ve recently introduced our GK Coupons service to extend their deals directly to our golfers.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 78,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We divide awards into 11 sections —  Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]Editor’s Note:  Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017.  Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org.  We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round.  “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org.  You’ll be glad you did.  [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA
Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA

[/su_column] [/su_row]

Recent #GolfCourseReview

GDR23   
Posted: 01/06/20 6:43p
Member Since: Mar 21, 2006
From: Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 7.87 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.87 GREAT

Walked the Orange tees this morning 1/6/2020 at 10am with my buddy Mack, buddy and fellow teaching pro Brian P. and his nephew Jake. Great group to play with. We came in a shade over 4 hrs for pace of play on an absolute perfect day for golf, low 70 temps with no wind. Very friendly staff checking us in.

They have a range here with mats, separate little chipping area and a nice sloped putting green.

The Review

I have been playing this course for many years and cannot remember the greens being this nice. Very quick and firm on putts and chips(would say close to a 11 on the stimp), yet holding irons beautifully. For sure the highlight of the course. Staff should be commended on how nice the greens are. Very undulating big greens here where they can put some awesome challenging pin locations.

Rated 9/10 Fairways were semi-lush with most areas green and lush(especially for early Jan). Some wet and muddy areas in shady areas. Rated 7/10 Tees level and in good shape.

Rated 7/10 Was not in any bunkers(thank goodness) but let me tell you they are white marble and are very thick. Great player in our group had a hard time getting out of them. Our group described them as almost having too much beach like sand. Would rather have to much sand rather than hard rock bunkers. Rough was mostly mowed down, uniform length and mostly lush.

Rated 7/10. Soule’s green complexes will challenge players along with holes 6 and 8 on the front nine and hole 14 on the back nine.

Final Word

Had a career round out here today–even if I didn’t—– I just love the layout and weather up here. Recommended.

GreensKeeper.org Worth the Green Fee Awards 2019
GreensKeeper.org Worth the Green Fee Awards 2019
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Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Soule Park Golf Course

Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 8.02 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 8.02 GREAT

With how busy I’ve been burning the candle at both ends preparing/testing the GreensKeeper iPhone app, Saturday’s golf round, an invite from last month I accepted from a client, came at the perfect time.

I played in an outstanding golf tournament in support of the Ojai Valley Family Shelter and of course Soule Park was the perfect the host. This was a very well run event with a full field. We teed off just after 8:00am and finished in just over 5 hours but it was one of those tournaments with fun games on the course which contributed to long round. Plus it was hot. High 90’s.

Golf course was in excellent shape. Greens running smooth, fast and holding shots. Fairway lush with decent roll out. Rough lush but cut down so not much of a factor. Most fairways are generously open so grip and rip! However miss the fairways and there is a steep price to pay. Trees, brush, bunkers or small water hazards. Speaking of the bunkers — fantastic. Beautifully designed with quality white sand. From the tee boxes, love the site lines and gorgeous Ojai backdrops. Tee boxes were in good shape, lush with some divot damage.

I snapped some photos to check out – highly recommended!

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Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Soule Park Golf Course

Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Reviewed by: rgm2525, chatsworth

Golf Playing Conditions 7.40 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.40 GREAT

Played 4-26-19 early morning as a single walking for $32 and finishing in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

A lot of the tee boxes have been re-sodded and they were all open except the back tee on 9. The boxes were in good shape and level with good coverage and minimal divot damage on par threes.

Fairways were in real nice shape, lush with good lies and descent roll out.

Rough was in good shape and not to long with some minor bare spots the farther you got from the fairway.

Was not in in bunkers but all all looked to be in good shape with white sand and nicely groomed. Greens were playing semi soft with medium speed and mostly smooth.

New management is doing a great job, every time I come out here I see new improvements on the course.

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Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

Soule Park Golf Course

Golf Course Review Soule Park Golf Course Ojai California

ALERT: Aeration
Will be aerating the greens 4/1 with small holes.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: sbarajasjr, San Diego
Played here for my first ever visit on 3/30 on a 10AM tee-time. Seeing Johnny’s review from the week before and knowing I would be in the area to visit my partner, I made a tee-time online and invited my partner’s father to join for what turned out to be an amazing day. The course was just as Johnny described and I thoroughly enjoyed it in almost every way. On top of it being a Chamber of Commerce day with weather, every aspect of the course and property was as expected.

The Review

Golf Playing Conditions 7.38 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.38 GREAT

Tee boxes: Good condition. Never really noticed any issues with the following: level ground, turf firmness, irregular turf conditions between the markers. Markers here aren’t vastly variant in distances as this course is not overly long.

Fairways: Great condition. They were sparkling green and the ground for the most part offered fair to good lies for shots. There were a few areas that were wetter than normal and a couple of scalped turf, but overall I was impressed. A fair amount of roll when the sun really started shinning.

Rough: Pretty penal the further away from the fairway you ended up (of course). There were areas in the holes closest to the mountains in the front 9 where the ball easily disappeared. The entire course has rough of varying lengths that kept one humble.

Sand: I was only in one bunker (fairway) and it was in good shape with nice compact sand. The ones I looked at all had good sand and were raked.

Greens: Good condition. The color and condition wasn’t quite what I expected but the roll seemed true enough on correctly read putts (of which I had one all day I felt proud of). The speed varied but ran in the fast-range all day. There were a fair amount of unfixed divots, but more importantly the greens on 10, 16, and 18 were already sanded, even though the alert said they wouldn’t until 4/1 (guess they wanted to get a quicker start).

Parting Thoughts

ETC: Basic carts with no GPS and not always a marker close for a shot determination. Course could certainly stand to pave a few more miles of cart path to help riders (though I understand a vast amount of people walk here too). Staff was very easygoing and friendly. Rates here seem more than fair. Restaurant was very good and staff here was also friendly. Ample parking lot and facilities had everything you needed without the extra frills. Pace today was only about 4 hours on a peak hour weekend so that should tell you everything you need to know about how things run here! Not a must-play but such a solid track in the shadow of Ojai Valley Inn that more than holds its own.