Sports Weekend : Southland Focus / A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California. : UPLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

Address: 1231 East 16th St., Upland.

Phone: 909-946-4711.

Green fees: $23 weekdays, $45 weekends.

Tee times: Seven days in advance.

The facility: Only 6,004 yards from the back tees, it is a distance-friendly course with wide-open fairways where lots of roll makes the yardage even shorter than measured. Built in 1983 as part of a housing project, homes line most fairways. An American Golf facility, it is beautifully maintained.

The good: The view from the tee on No. 6, a sturdy par three, is worth the drive to Upland. Directly behind the green is magnificent Ontario Peak, rising 8,500 feet into the horizon. The fairways may be wide and inviting, but the greens are subtle and have a tendency to break just when you least expect it and not always away from the mountains, the normal rule of thumb. To help prepare you, there is a fine, undulating putting green.

The bad: Signs on the course, erected by the Upland Hills Owners Assn., remind players that, “Golfers will be responsible for broken windows.” And bring your own water, especially on sizzling summer days, because there is no water on the back nine.

The score: For short hitters, or long hitters wanting to soothe their egos with low scores, Upland Hills and its par-70 layout is ideal for an enjoyable round. But beware, there are streams and lakes that add character and risk on eight holes. Nothing in golf is as easy as it might appear.