GETTING A READ GOLF DESIGNER CHECKS SITE'S PROGRESS.

Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Legendary golf course designer Pete Dye is unequivocal in his appraisal of the land that is well on its way to becoming the Lost Canyons Golf Club.

``This is the best site that I have ever been given for golf,'' said the 74-year-old architect.

``I've never seen anything like it. . . . You can feel your way around the hills and just feel the ambience.''

Dye was in town Tuesday for a course walk-through, checking up on construction and cultivation as the course at the north end of Tapo Canyon Boulevard is prepared for an October opening.

Once completed, the sprawling 7,000-yard, 36-hole course is expected to take its place among Dye's other acclaimed creations, including Crooked Stick in Indiana, the Kiawah Island Course, Oak Tree in Oklahoma and the TPC at Sawgrass in Florida.

Dye started walking the course at 5 a.m., inspecting tee boxes, greens and fairway layouts.

He says that the design of Lost Canyons, located in the hills north of Simi Valley, will blend with the natural environment and incorporate natural plant life, creating a stark contrast between manicured green fairways and the scrub brush dotting the hillsides.

``It is wonderful to design a course to fit in with the surroundings and not have to worry about space for a thousand-home development,'' Dye said. ``The topography dictates what can be built and how difficult the course will be, but that's the man upstairs' fault.''

Officials of Landmark National, the company building the course, said environmental concerns were taken into consideration and they are adhering to Simi Valley's hillside building ordinance, which prohibits development on the slopes. They would not disclose the cost of developing the course.

Dye also designed around several portions of the land designated as wetlands and stream areas.

Plans call for an 11,000-square-foot clubhouse to be completed in time for the October opening. Landmark officials also plan on building a 270- room luxury hotel and selling 120 real estate lots ranging from a half-acre to more than 100 acres.

All that beauty and design comes with a price, though. Greens fees will range from $115 to $135 for 18 holes of golf, professional caddie service and cart rental.

``With what I've heard and seen, I can't wait for that place to open up,'' said Simi Valley resident Dan Jacobs as he hit balls at the Simi Hills driving range.

``But at that price, I'm not sure how many times I'll be able to play there.''

Despite the high prices, course officials say that its proximity to Los Angeles and the draw of Dye - and course consultant Fred Couples - will bring golfers from around the region to Lost Canyons.

Dye says that the course, featuring two 600-plus-yard par-five holes, will frustrate professional golfers for its difficult areas but be accessible enough for occasional players as well.

``I'd like to see all the people that love the game of golf come out and play here,'' Dye said.

``Then they'll be able to see what is so special about this place too.''

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Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color -- 2 color in Simi edition only) Golf course designer Pete Dye, above, visits the future site of the Lost Canyons Golf Club, planned to blend into the hills north of Simi Valley. Below, Jason Thomas works on the clubhouse, scheduled to open with the 36-hole course in October.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer