AT ALISO, IT'S FOR BETTER OR WORSE; GOOD PLAYERS ARE PERFECT VICTIMS AT O.C.'S NEWEST CLUB.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

The newest course in Orange County is also the only public course in the county designed by Jack Nicklaus, which is good news for golfers of all skills. Like so many courses fashioned by the Golden Bear, the 27-hole Aliso Viejo Golf Club complex offers a challenge commensurate with playing ability.

Short-hitting players will find wider landing areas than longer hitters must contend with off the tee, as Nicklaus-designed holes tend to get tougher closer to the green. He also offers lower-risk routes for those who want to try more cautious approach shots. But those who want to attack the flagstick for low scores must be precise or pay the price - sometimes with a wet and/or lost ball.

``Average players can hit their drives and be fearless because of the wide fairways,'' said youthful head pro Jeff Whitt, 27, who came to AMH Golf and Clubcorp-managed Aliso Viejo from Nicklaus' home state of Ohio.

``I went down to (Nicklaus-designed) Muirfield Village to watch the Memorial tournament as a kid,'' said Akron native Whitt, who now can look out the Aliso Viejo clubhouse window to see Nicklaus' handiwork, this one co-designed with Nicklaus' son Jackie.

``The fairway bunkers are positioned for lower-handicap players - most are like 260 yards from the tee,'' Whitt said. ``Nicklaus always has bailout areas - he says miss here and it's no penalty. But the better the golfer, the better he has to shoot.''

Whitt rates the par-36, 3,222-yard Creek course the toughest nine, while calling par-35, 3,055-yard Ridge the most scenic and par-36, 3,213 Canyon the most user-friendly - at least at the beginning.

Any list of the best holes on the property would likely include the 461-yard No. 3 on Creek, a downhill, right-turning dogleg that narrows into a green flanked right by water and left by out-of-bounds.

Whitt tells you all you need to know about this classic Nicklaus handiwork:

``I've made 2 on that hole,'' he said. ``But I've also made too many 5s and 6s.''

The uphill, 370-yard par-4 No. 4 on Valley offers, seemingly, a way to recover any strokes lost on No. 3. But miss short on what is often a short-iron approach to a severely raised green and you might see your ball roll back to you - or past you.

Nos. 8 and 9 - both featuring water - are other tests on the Creek course, notable for its uphill and downhill par-3 holes.

Ridge challenges with plenty of elevation change and treats with some spectacular vistas. The most interesting hole might be No. 4, a 360-yard, downhill par-4 featuring a 90-foot dropoff from the tee and water down the entire left side.

Said Whitt: ``Jack explains that the very, very long hitters can go for the green off the tee - I've hit it once and been burned about five times. But I think it's neat. It's a hole that can eat you alive.''

Ditto the ninth at Ridge, a 411-yard par-4 from a greater height and with another 90-foot dropoff. It's a candidate for signature hole, with water right and a lot of bunkering - a solid finishing hole.

Valley starts easily enough - and interestingly, sharing its right-turning fairway with the left-turning first fairway on Creek No. 1, with both fairways splitting in front of a towering palm tree. Again, the better players share most of the risk.

``You can hit a long, perfect drive right down the middle and be right behind a tree with no shot at the green,'' Whitt said.

Mostly, Valley is a course of placement, with several blind shots over humped fairways. As for getting tougher deeper into the round, No. 8 on Valley ranks with the most visually intimidating holes on the property: a 141-yard par-3 over water and into wind.

Best tip for anyone playing any of the Aliso Viejo courses: No matter what your eyes tell you, play every putt to break toward the 5 Freeway.

ORANGE COUNTY EXCURSION 

Club-Aliso Viejo

Location-25002 Golf Drive, Aliso Viejo

Vital stats-Make up your 18 holes from any two of three nine-hole courses: Valley 3,213 yards, par 36; Creek 3,222 yards, par 35; Ridge 3,055 yards, par 35

Cost-Monday-Thursday $85 w/mandatory cart; Friday-Sunday $125 w/mandatory cart; Twilight (after 2 p.m.) $70 Monday-Thursday, $85 Friday-Sunday.

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Photo, box

PHOTO The Jack Nicklaus-designed Aliso Viejo Golf Club offers three courses that can make plenty of trouble for anyone.

Photo courtesy of Aliso Viejo GC

Box: Orange County Excursion (see text)