Canyon Lakes Country Club

The name says it all.

Canyon Lakes Country Club in San Ramon features plenty of hills, and plenty of water - and plenty of fun.

The 1987 Ted Robinson track - Robinson also designed Rio Vista Golf Club - even manages to wind its way through hundreds of expensive homes without making you feel too crowded. Homes, condos and apartments only become targets for very wayward golfers, and even then on only a few holes.

But other trouble awaits, and none of it has to do with length. The back (blue) tees measure just 6,373 yards, but still have a 71.9 rating and a 131 slope. White-tee yardage is a mere 5,970, but the slope is still a testy 129 and the rating is a whopping 70.3 - for a par-71.

The reason is simple. Water appears on seven of the first eight holes, and the hills make for some interesting stances, particularly if you get off the fairway.

But this course isn't too punishing, and the slopes can direct wayward shots back toward the fairway on several holes.

The result is a course that should make you think, should make you use every club in your bag, and should still give you a smile.

Your day starts with a gentle par-4. You may even want to club down off the first tee, since the fairway narrows after the first 200 yards. The approach is straight downhill, with water left and bunkers right, but a short hole with a big green provides an excellent birdie opportunity.

Forget birdie on No. 2. The par-5 is the longest on the course, with a hazard running the length of the hole on the left and a huge bunker left of the green. The par-5s are easily the hardest holes on this course.

A long, uphill par-3 follows at No. 3. There are five par-3s on this course, but don't fret - No. 3 is the longest, and the hardest.

No. 4 is a classic, if you can find it. Take a long, straight journey in your cart after No. 3, and look for a short par-4 to an island green. Keep your ego in check and club down off the tee, and you still should have just a wedge for your approach.

No. 5 also is surrounded by water, but it is by far the shortest hole on the track and should provide another birdie opportunity.

Another birdie hole follows at No. 6, a short par-4 that ... surprise ... doesn't have any water to speak of.

Enjoy the easy holes, because the finish of the front nine is a bear. A dogleg-left par-5 at No. 7 is followed by a long par-4 with the approach over water, and a par-4 straight uphill to a two-tiered green to finish.

Head across the overpass and then down the hill to the second nine, which begins with a long, downhill par-3.

Birdies await on the first four holes of the back side, but then the teeth of the course kicks back in. No. 14 is a long par-5 with an elbow dogleg after the second shot, across a ravine to an elevated green. The good news is you can find plenty of golf balls around the hazards, which should make the penalty strokes a little easier to handle.

No. 15 is a short par-3 that heads straight uphill to a three-tiered green. Add at least two clubs to your yardage.

A short break follows at No. 16 before the finish, a long uphill par-5 at No. 17 and a long, dogleg-right par-4 to end your day.

Canyon Lakes has a huge upside, including variety, solid conditions and some hole designs you probably haven't seen before. There also is a good mixh of birdie opportunities to go with the really tough holes.

It's also closer than you might think, just 55 miles from Vacaville.

The price is manageable, although the course is closed to public play on Mondays, and Thursday prices are the same as Friday fares. If you can make a day of it, the replay rate is one of the best you'll find anywhere at $15.

The downsides are few, and the biggest of those is signage. It's easy for first-time players to get lost, particularly between Nos. 3 and 4, and after the front side. Hole plaques with yardages are attached to the ball washers, but many have been stolen or have fallen off. Check your scorecard.

Canyon Lakes also could use a yardage book, although the "local knowledge" sheet does provide some help. Be sure to ask for it.

On the whole, this is a must-play. And the hills are even a little fun in a cart.

Directions - Take Interstate 80 west to I-680 south. In San Ramon, take the Bollinger Canyon Road exit east. Turn left on Canyon Lakes Drive, and left on Bollinger Canyon Way.