his article is a departure from my most recent endeavors but I can assure you if you love golf you're going to love this course.

With the advent of large corporations building championship courses surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, Forest Lake Golf Club is a refreshing vestige of old style course design and play.

In 1954, Forest Lake Golf Club began with a modest beginning. Mr. Bob Taylor, local entrepreneur not only designed the course but supervised the construction making it a challenging nine-hole venue. Then Jack Schall took on the challenge of designing the back nine completing the course. This set the stage for the Ring family purchase in 1979.

The Ring family is comprised of members Dave, Bill, Carol, Nancy and Rick have built Forest Lakes into one of the best family owned courses in Northern California. Over the years they have instituted changes to fairways, redesigned greens and planted trees with loving care. Forest Lake Golf course runs a total of 4,925 yards on the Blue Course and 3,700 yards on the Red Course. The Red course is played Monday & Tuesday only.

The Blue course is a par 66 for the men with a rating of 61.1 and a slope of 97. The Ladies plays to a par 72 with a rating of 65.9 and a slope of 106. The Red course is a par 60 for the men, with a 54.7 rating and a slope of 85. The Ladies par is 64 with a rating of 60.4 and a slope of 94.

Don't let the course rating and slope fool you; Forest Lake is adorned with tree lined fairways demanding accuracy off the tee box. The Big Dog is not necessarily the club of choice be sure to check your ego at the door, long to midirons are the smart plays.

Each fairway is clearly marked at 150 and 100 yards. Use these markers wisely because hitting the small emerald greens in regulation is not guaranteed. The course is dominated by dif?cult par fours and challenging par threes putting emphasis on your short game. Don't forget your putter even though the course has been challenged with irrigation problems of late, the greens still roll exceptionally ell and challenge your eye with sophisticated breaks. Beware of the strategically placed bunkers.

The front nine offers to par threes and seven par fours. Particular interest should be paid to the 185-yard par three seventh. This little beauty has it all. The tee shot requires all carry to the elevated postage stamp green dominated by treacherous bunkers on the left side. We should caution you; the tee shot must exit through an alley off the tee box surrounded by trees nourished from a creek below.

No rest for the wicked as the 365 yard, par four eighth hole lurks. The tee-box surrounded by eucalyptus trees produces the feeling of total seclusion. Claustrophobic tendencies may engulf even the most confident golfer. The tree-lined fairway demands an accurate iron shot or well-controlled utility wood reaching 200-yards while splitting the fairway. This leaves an approach shot of approximately 165 yards over a creek bed to an elevated small green surrounded by evil bunkers.

After tallying your front nine score a pause at the clubhouse will reward you with your favorite beverage and one of the famous Forest Lake cheeseburgers. If your taste buds yearn for something else try a hotdog or sandwich

The back nine opens with consecutive par threes leading to the thirteenth, 375 yard, par four. Bust your driver here! The tee shot has to be long and straight because of those pesky trees guarding the fairway on both sides. The approach shot is downhill to one of the larger greens on the course. It runs downhill left to right so place your ball above the hole and let it feed down. Birdie is very possible.

Stay patient as you work the back nine. The holes seem longer but rely on the irons and hybrid clubs. The ball has a tendency to run because of the dry conditions forced on the course by summer conditions.

Arriving at the par three, 145-yard, seventeenth is a real treat. This hole requires a short iron shot, over a creek bed, traversed by a quaint bridge. The green is rather large but protected on the left side by trees. The green runs uphill from the left side, so favor a draw into the hole, which will leave an ascending putt. This is a wonderful little hole!

We really enjoyed the round. The atmosphere is friendly, laid back and peaceful. Forest Lake is family oriented, encourages female, and senior golf. Their ten-week youth camp is considered one of the best in the area. A practice green and driving range are available for those wanting to hone their game.

Green fees are reasonable. Electric Carts are available but the course can be easily walked. The pro shop offers name brand equipment such as Ping, Mizuno, and Callaay. Lessons and fitting are available through the head professional Dave Ring.