Brookside Golf Course: 'Good Humor' and great Pasadena golf

In Southern California, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena stands out as one of the great sports stadiums in the state. Holding more than 100,000 people, it is steeped in history. But a two-minute walk from the gates of the Rose Bowl takes you to another sporting location with a great history - Brookside Golf Club.

I got the chance to play Brookside yesterday - the No. 2 course - and was truly delighted. While the first nine can have moments of tedium with an endless array of par 4s, the back nine brings it home in style, taking you on a scenic trip that includes a couple par 5s and par 3s. Mature trees, numerous bunkers, tough greens and difficult rough make it a challenge for any golfer.

On my outing yesterday, I was paired along with Greg McCollum, an assistant director who has worked on such films as the cult fave “The Good Humor Man.” He was a great tour guide, and a hell of a golfer, actually. Brookside is by no means a place where homes will get in your way, but you’ll get to see some fabulous hillside homes, that have been owned by the likes of Cindy Costner and former Dodgers’ star Orel Hershiser.

I’ll be heading back to Pasadena soon to play the more acclaimed No. 1 Course at Brookside, just as soon as they finish the Pasadena City Championships, a tournament that is always jam-packed with quality amateurs. Look for my reviews of the Brookside courses coming soon to GolfCalifornia.com.

–WKW