Woodley Lakes Municipal Golf Course

Woodley Lakes Municipal Golf Course occupies a flat parcel in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. Designed by Ray Goates and opened in the early 1970s, the course was built on reclaimed land within the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, a flood control zone managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The site's origins as a gravel quarry left behind several man-made lakes that became central features of the routing, giving the course its name and defining much of its strategic character. The layout plays across relatively level terrain with minimal elevation change, typical of valley-floor municipal courses in Southern California. Water hazards—both lakes and connecting channels—come into play on multiple holes, requiring accurate approach shots and thoughtful club selection. Mature trees line many fairways, framing holes and adding a parkland feel despite the urban setting. The course serves as a busy public facility, drawing a diverse mix of local golfers and visitors seeking accessible play in the densely populated Valley. Woodley Lakes functions as a straightforward test of golf without severe length or dramatic contours. Its location within the broader Sepulveda Basin complex, which includes other recreational amenities and open space, makes it a practical option for golfers in the northwest Los Angeles area. The course remains a working example of mid-century municipal golf design adapted to constrained urban land and engineered landscapes.