Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Irvine, California, USA

 

As I left Interstate Highway I-5 and the populated area of Irvine, approaching the course on Strawberry Farm Rd, I found myself surrounded by endless strawberry fields.
An unique beauty I wasn't expecting to find so close to the Pacific Ocean. And that's where the name of the course comes from!! Acres of agricultural land surrounding the golf course property in a lovely peaceful rural setting.

Strawberry Farms opened its doors in 1997 developed by former Baltimore Orioles and Anaheim Angels third baseman Doug DeCinces and designed by Jack Nicklaus's senior designer Jim Lipe.

The course is a 6,700 yds par 71 considered to be the most challenging public course in Southern California and voted a "4 Star Must Play Course" by Golf Digest Readers.
The layout skirts the old Sand Canyon Creek on the front nine and a 35-acre reservoir on the back nine featuring rugged canyons, granite hillsides and wetlands providing the golfer with a breathtaking and secluded scenery.
Most holes have danger and thick bushes on both sides of the narrow fairways, environmental areas to be treated as lateral hazards under local rules.
Players must pay attention to the well bunkered and undulating greens.
The 12th is the longest hole in Orange County, a 630 yard uphill par 5.
One of the most scenic holes is the par 4 10th, a 369 yard dogleg left running along the Sand Canyon Reservoir, with the elevated tee boxes providing a stunning view of the hole.
The 18th is probably the most difficult hole of the course. A 403 yard par 4 where a large landing area expects the required long tee shot before trying to reach a two-tired narrow elevated and hidden green.

The facility includes a full service clubhouse serving great food and beers, a state of the art driving range and the "Big Red Barn", a true barn used for banquets, weddings and other events.

http://www.sf-golf.com/

The Big Red Barn

The Clubhouse

Driving Range

#3 Hole 211 Yds Par 3

#4 Hole 437 Yds Par 4

#4 Hole 437 Yds Par 4

#7 Hole 177 Yds Par 3

View of the 2nd green from the 9th tee boxes

#9 Hole 558 Yds Par 5

#10 Hole 369 Yds Par 4

#10 Hole 369 Yds Par 4

#11 Hole 180 Yds Par 3

#11 Hole 180 Yds Par 3

Orange County's longest par 5

#12 Hole 630 Yds Par 5

#16 Hole 501 Yds Par 5

#16 Hole 501 Yds Par 5

#17 Hole 177 Yds Par 3

#17 Hole 177 Yds Par 3

#18 Hole 403 Yds Par 4

#18 Hole 403 Yds Par 4