Inland Empire Golf Course Reviews
Empire Lakes Golf Course Review (closed 2016)Rancho Cucamonga, CA
|
Empire Lakes Golf Course Overview: Arnold Palmer designed this golf course with vistas of the San Bernardino Mountains on a clear day. It was a decent golf course with a few very well designed golf holes and a short, easier, but more memorable front nine, and a longer, punishing back nine. It closed for good in lieu of more housing in the area in 2016. The best holes that once were are reviewed below:
Empire Lakes Hole 2: Not a particularly difficult hole, but the backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the winter is arresting. Only a poorly struck tee shot will find the water on this short par three.
Empire Lakes Hole 2: Not a particularly difficult hole, but the backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the winter is arresting. Only a poorly struck tee shot will find the water on this short par three.
Empire Lakes Hole 3: Best golf hole on the course, and one of the better short par 4’s in the Inland Empirt. At 334 yards, only an iron is needed off the tee, but this iron must clear the water short and avoid it right without being pulled into the bunkers or mounds left of the fairway. The approach must negotiate the lake right again with the slope of the green decidedly pushing the ball that way. The best approach to the green is from the right and, thus, presents the gutsy player with a better shot at birdie.
Empire Lakes Hole 7: This long par 3 will gobble up any shot hit right into a massive lake. The green is also well guarded with bunkers and from the elevated tees, this hole provides a nice view of the surrounding area.
Empire Lakes Hole 9: A strong par 4 to finish the front nine. At 432 yards, a solid drive must be hit to leave a relatively short shot to the green that is nestled against water front-left. Any shot pushed right is down a hill and makes hitting the green in two nearly impossible. Likewise, any shot hit too far left might find the lake and leaves a much more daunting approach.
Empire Lakes Hole 10: The first golf hole on the back nine is a tough dogleg right with a tee shot featuring trouble on either side of the fairway and a sloping green. Nice views of the mountains behind.
