EXECUTIVE BRIEFCASE
ARROYO TRABUCO GOLF CLUB
7,011-yard, par-72 golf course. Five sets of tee boxes. Designed by PGA pro Tom Lehman and golf course architect Casey O’Callaghan. Owned by DMB San Juan Golf Associates LLC, a venture of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based DMB Consolidated Holdings and members of the O’Neill and Moiso families, among others. Managed by Donovan Bros. Golf LLC. General manager Matthew Donovan, director of golf Peter Dalkas, head pro Geoff Cram. $55 Monday through Thursday; $75 Friday; $85 weekends. Twilight, senior rates available. Prices include cart. At 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 364-1881; www.arroyotrabuco.com.
The new Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, which opens to the public Thursday, offers first-class golf for a coach price. Spokespeople for Anthony “Tony” Moiso concede it will be tough to make money charging a half to two-thirds the rate at comparable area courses. Consider it another O’Neill family gift to the community,or a generator of goodwill to offset more controversial aspects of the 23,000-acre Mission Viejo ranch buildout. Arroyo Trabuco,Spanish for “gun creek”,crosses Trabuco Creek and the Ladera Open Space Reserve near O’Neill Regional Park. A challenging 7,000 yards from the tips, Arroyo Trabuco is also forgiving, with a number of fairways framed by sloping hills that provide generous bounces from errant shots. Sand traps are numerous, and water is a factor, with Trabuco Creek playing as a lateral hazard on seven holes and lakes coming into play on three others. The links-style course is magnificently picturesque, and likely to remain that way, with almost no homes slated to be built on the hills. A recent cool, windy and misty day had the feel of a golf outing in the British Isles. Few trees, but lots of tall grass. The ranch-style clubhouse, wedding hall and pro shop have an elegant yet comfortable feel, a testimony to Moiso’s family-rancher sensibilities. The bar, with its cozy fireplace and rich leather chairs, makes for a great 19th hole. This looks like a sure winner for the golfing public. The biggest problem with Arroyo Trabuco could well be getting tee times.
,Mike Mason
RATING: 3.5 BRIEFCASES (out of 4)
