C. W. Koiner at Brookside Golf & Country Club

Brookside Golf & Country Club, nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena, stands as a testament to early 20th-century golf course design, a public course with the bones and spirit of a private club. C.W. Koiner's original layout, shaped in the parkland style, presents players with tree-lined fairways and subtly contoured greens across relatively flat terrain. It favors strategic play over sheer power; errant tee shots will likely require navigating mature eucalyptus trees, while a deft touch around the greens is essential for scoring well.

Brookside's place in golf history is intertwined with the annual Los Angeles Open (now The Genesis Invitational). For several decades in the mid-20th century, the course served as a frequent host, witnessing victories from legends like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead and more recently Tiger Woods.

While it may not command the same national spotlight as some of its more celebrated Southern California counterparts, Brookside enjoys a dedicated local following. It’s the kind of course where players settle into a rhythm, where the spirit of the game is upheld, and where the post-round clubhouse chatter centers on near misses and memorable putts. It’s also known for its brisk pace of play; golfers here tend to keep things moving, reflecting a membership that values both the game and their time.