In addition to the premier golf courses in America, I am always looking for golf that brings value. A course with character for $25 is just as exciting to me as a $200 round of destination golf. Please enjoy this special value report on one of the best bargain spots in California. It’s Olivas LInks and Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura county.
Located just 60 minutes north of Los Angeles and conveniently off of the 101 highway, you will find the sweeping golf landscapes of Olivas Links. The rates at Olivas LInks never go above $61 and since you can snag a twilight round of golf for just $37, it makes the short drive out of LA worth the while.
The 18th and 9th greens share a double green.
Set in between the Santa Clara river and Ventura Harbor, Olivas Links winds its way through a smattering of trees amidst pleasant coastal breezes. When it comes to the design of the golf course, Olivas LInks doesn’t force the issue. While many courses competing in the value segment try to create something unique with limited resources, Olivas uses the land on the property naturally. Course architect Forrest Richardson sums it up nicely with the quote below.
“While there are trees, they are short and shaped by the wind. We have kept the holes open. Where they do pinch down, the land curves and drops with the flow; nothing is forced. It all follows the natural lay of the land – everything follows the natural swales and grooves that carry water toward the river.”
In addition to the 18 holes of golf, Olivas also features a top tier driving range, putting green and bunker practice bunker. You could spend all day just trying to bounce one off of the red dot on that oak barrell.
If Olivas isn’t enough to lure you out in Ventura country, just down the road you have another value option at Buenaventura Golf Course. Both Olivas and Buenaventura are owned by the city of Ventura and the value extends throughout both golf courses. With a maximum rate of $51 on the weekends, a weekday twilight rate will only set you back $26.
The short par 4 6th measures just 274 yards from the back tees.
A series of short par 4’s highlight the front 9 at Buenaventura. The 2nd and 3rd hole provide early birdie opportunities and a well bunkered 6th hole gives the golfer a heavy dose of scoring excitement.
The back nine at Buenaventura is defined by a trio of short to mid length par 3’s. If you are looking to hone your hole-in-one game, Buenaventura provides plenty of opportunities for glory.
The pro move is to schedule an early morning round at Olivas LInks. You can build in a break for lunch and then head on over to Buenaventura for some twilight action. With Chipotle figured in, the entire golf adventure will cost you less than $100.