Discount Golf

<body background="" bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000099" alink="#0000ff" vlink="#0000ff"> With the elaborate ministrations of course superintendent John Jorgensen and his crew, Deer Ridge promises an immaculately groomed course always primed for play. Jorgensen and assistant Jose Flores were brought in to oversee the grow-in and detail work that will assure Deer Ridge's year-round playability. The latter is helped along by a mere 17 inches average annual rainfall and numerous days throughout the year when murky coastal weather is stopped dead in its tracks by Mt. Diablo. <BR> <BR> Designer Andy Raugust's par-71 layout doesn't emphasize one aspect of the game over another. "This is not a 'Beauty and the Beast' experience," muses Raugust, whose other local creations include Spanos Park in Stockton. "That's one reason why we developed what we think is the best short game practice center around. It's the kind of course where you'll use all your skills. Golfers tend to neglect their pitching and chipping, but it's the glue that holds their game together. They'll be able to practice those here in great conditions, and then put that practice into play on the course." <BR> <BR> "That's one reason why we developed what we think is the best short game practice center around." <BR> <BR> Deer Ridge's forgiving length nevertheless allows for some good driving challenges. The starting holes offer par-4s at 346 and 433 yards allow you to stretch things out early. After a picturesque par-3, 189-yard challenge on No. 12, it's time to dig out your biggest driver for the par-5, 545-yard No. 13. A solid tee shot here is key-keep it inside a large oak tree and you're on your way. <BR> <BR> <BR> The region's rolling hills express themselves more on the front nine, though the course is eminently walkable. At 521 yards, the magnificent finishing hole has you playing uphill toward a lovely amphitheatre, which is framed by Cowell Canyon and the pro shop which sits prominently on a knoll, awaiting the end of your round. <BR> <BR> Talk to not-so-old-timers in the area and they'll regale you with childhood memories of plunking down a quarter to play nine holes on their local public courses. Those rates haven't quite held up over the years, but lest pure nostalgia overly cloud our view, sparkling new courses like Deer Ridge help us remember there weren't many courses of any kind in that day, and even fewer with the thoughtful design, comprehensive support, superb practice facilities and pure pizzazz found here. All those qualities figure to hold up quite well as today's players create memories of their own at Deer Ridge. <BR> <BR> </BODY>