CHOICE SHOTS IN TEMECULA; COUNTY OFFERS GREAT GOLF GETAWAYS.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

The biggest problem about a golf getaway to this southern Riverside County wine country might be choosing which course to play. Given the combination of beauty, price and facilities, the area is hard to beat.

With SCGA Members club, Redhawk, Temeku Hills and the 27-hole Temecula Creek Inn all within six miles of each other, the golfing choices are multiple and optimum. In the summer, none of these courses costs more than $55 (cart included) to play during the week. All can be played for much less with super-twilight rates (after 4 p.m.), which are worth trying just for the spectacular sunsets in this mountain-highlighted region.

The best test in terms of difficulty is Redhawk, but single-digit handicappers only need try this beast from the back tees.

At its full length of 7,180 yards, par-72 Redhawk plays to a course rating of 75.7. The slope rating, used to assess the relative difficulty of all golf courses, is 149 at 9-year-old Redhawk. By comparison, Industry Hills and TPC Stadium Course in La Quinta, courses legendary for their difficulty, have respective back-tee-slope ratings of 142 and 143.

``It's unique and a challenge,'' Redhawk head pro J.B. Sneve said of the Ron Fream-designed layout that can test golfers with rolling terrain, five water holes, elevation changes and 18 tiered, undulated greens.

``It's got some sensational views from elevated tees and there are a lot of holes that can be visually intimidating,'' Sneve said, ``but it's a course for all ability levels.''

The difficulty, he said, depends on what tees you choose and how aggressively you play.

``The more aggressive you are, the more apt you are to make mistakes that can get you into trouble,'' Sneve said. ``If you play a little more conservatively, you have a chance of doing better. Keep the ball in the fairways and on the right tier on the greens and you can score. Shortside yourself and you'll have to find some magic in those wands.''

SCGA Members Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., features the large scale that has defined his architectural style. Everything seems bigger than normal at Members Club, from gaping bunkers to huge, undulating greens to wide, sweeping fairways.

Even the wind is big, especially in the afternoons, and it is the single biggest barrier to low scores. In keeping with that theme, Members Club offers SCGA members a sizable discount - charging $40 on weekdays and $55 on weekends, cart included.

Temecula Creek Inn gives golfers a choice of three par-72 courses from a mixture of three nine-hole layouts. The Creek/Oaks combination (both courses designed by Dick Rossen) has been the most popular mix. The newer Stonehouse side, designed by Ted Robinson, is most scenic. Temecula Creek also offers lodging, with all-you-can-play packages available.

Temeku Hills, another Ted Robinson-designed course, challenges visitors with elevated, snaking greens that are the course's primary defense against par. Hitting approach shots below the flagstick is the key to success here. But that can seem difficult for golfers who approach with a club longer than the distance would indicate because of those elevated greens.

WEEKEND EXCURSION 

REDHAWK

Location - In Temecula, at 45100 Redhawk Parkway.

Vital stats - Par 72, four tee boxes (7,180 yards to 5,515 yards). Fees - Weekdays: $50 ($60 on Fridays); twilight replay $30 and $35; super twilight (after 4 p.m.) $20. Weekends/holidays: $80; twilight replay $45; super twilight (after 4 p.m.) $30. All fees include cart.

Telephone - 1-800-451-4295

Directions - I-15 south to Hwy 79 South (Indio exit); left 2 -1/2 miles to Redlands Parkway; right to course.

SCGA MEMBERS CLUB

Location - In Murietta, at 38275 Murietta Hot Springs Rd.

Fees - Weekdays $55; twilight (2-4 p.m.) $29; super twilight (after 4 p.m.) $17. Weekends $70; twilight (2-4 p.m.) $37; super twilight $30 (SCGA members' rates top at $40 weekdays and $55 weekends). All fees include cart.

Telephone - 1-800-752-9724.

Directions - I-15 south to Murietta Hot Springs Road; left (east) to Via Princesa; left -1/4 mile to club entrance on right.

TEMECULA CREEK INN

Location - In Temecula, at 4501 Rainbow Canyon Rd.

Vital stats - Par 72, three nine-hole courses (Creek/Oaks: three tee boxes from 6,784-5,737 yards; Oaks/Stonehouse: three tee boxes from 6,693-5,683 yards); Stonehouse/Creek: three tee boxes from 6,605-5,686 yards)

Fees - Weekdays: $50; twilight (1-4 p.m.) $32; super twilight (after 4 p.m.) $20. Weekends: $80; twilight (204 p.m.) $45; super twilight (after 4 p.m.) $25. All fees include cart.

Telephone - 1-800-642-4653

Directions - I-15 south past I-215 junction to Hwy 79 South (Indio exit); left three stops to Pala Road; right to Rainbow Canyon Road; right to course.

TEMEKU HILLS

Location - In Temecula, at 31346 Rancho California Rd.

Vital stats - Par 72, four tee boxes (6,478 to 5,139 yards)

Fees - Weekdays: $40 ($50 on Fridays); twilight (2-4 p.m.) $30; super twilight (after 4) $20; Weekends: $65; twilight $40; super twilight $25. All fees include cart.

Telephone - 1-909-693-1440.

Directions - I-15 south past junction with I-215 to Rancho California Road; east three miles to golf course.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO At 7,180 yards, par-72 Redhawk features rolling terrain, five water holes, elevation changes and 18 tiered, undulated greens.

Courtesy SCGA

BOX: WEEKEND EXCURSION (see text)