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Winning bets at the casino
The clubhouse near the 18th hole features the Maze Stone Restaurant and space for banquets.
Soboba … classic
Golf course, clubhouse, restaurant — a special experience Stories by Jerry Rice
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ith perfectly maintained fairways, greens and surroundings that are populated with palm trees and cottonwoods, and spectacular water features spread throughout, The Country Club at Soboba Springs is a golfers’ paradise. The majestic San Jacinto Mountains form a scenic backdrop for both the 18-hole course and clubhouse/restaurant. “Although we have ‘country club’ in our name, and we have a private club element, we are open to the public,” says Phil Vigil, the director of golf. “We want to attract community players, travel groups and large events.” On any given day, the player mix includes serious golfers and those who want to enjoy a morning on the links in a beautiful setting and don’t care about keeping score. And for those so-inclined, it’s only a chip shot away from the gaming action at Soboba Casino. After making the 35- to 40-minute drive from Riverside, golfers are greeted 26
| riversidethemag.com | april-may 2013
by lush fairways, which remain emerald green even during the cold-weather months, and competitive rates. A round costs $45 — and that’s the top weekend rate. “If you were to slice this golf course out — the facility, the venue and the service — and put it in Orange County, those players would be paying $90 during the week and $125 on a weekend,” says Vigil. The savings from one round would more than pay for a top-flight lunch or dinner plus cover the tip at the Maze Stone Restaurant, where filet mignon, Southwestern Chicken Fettuccini, four meal-sized salads, and six burger options (including lamb and salmon) are among the menu highlights. “We want to offer sophisticated menu offerings and services, but we never want to enter into that realm of becoming pretentious,” says Ray Shalizi, the clubhouse manager. “That’s not what we’re all about.” It’s the same on the course, too. The par-72 with a 73.5 USGA rating challenges golfers — beginners and
After a round on the golf course, more fun awaits at Soboba Casino with its 2,000 slots, bingo, table games and poker room. Promotions also are a popular regular feature, says David Baggerly, Soboba spokesman. In April, for instance, one winner will be able to choose between a new truck or $15,000 in cash each Friday night. And on Sundays, the casino will be presenting $10,000 wor th of gasoline cards to lucky guests. While many promotions are tied to the season — April includes one for Ear th Day — Baggerly knows what guests want most. “Cash tends to reign supreme,” he says. Details online at www.soboba.com.
veterans alike — to use every club in the bag. It was designed by Desmond Muirhead, “the Frank Lloyd Wright of the golf course architecture world,” says Vigil, and it opened under the Royal Vista Golf Course banner in 1966. In December 2004, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians purchased the course, which is adjacent to their reservation, and later embarked on an extensive $4.6 million makeover under the direction of Cary Bickler, a Muirhead disciple. The Country Club at Soboba Springs enjoyed its national debut in 2009 when it hosted the inaugural Soboba Classic, which was part of the Nationwide Tour. While the tour ended its run at Soboba in 2012, major events still roll through, such as the Big West Men’s Golf Championship, set for April 28-30. And with recent improvements — including a new, all-grass driving range that meets PGA Tour specifications, and a new fleet of golf carts — the options for more are always open. Says Vigil, “If the moon and the stars align and we wanted to host a PGA Tour, LPGA Tour or Seniors Tour event, this facility is ready to go.” The Country Club at Soboba Springs 1020 Soboba Road, San Jacinto 951-654-4300 www.sobobaspringscc.com