The Links At Riverlakes Ranch, Bakersfield, CA

Well I just had the worst experience at a golf course since I have been playing golf for over 30 years. I took four of my sons out for a round a the Links at Riverlakes in Bakersfield Ca. It was one of my sons birthday and he wanted to play a course he had never played. I have played there many times but today was a totally awful experience.

First off we had two tee times, each for three players. We checked in only to find out they were out of carts so we had to wait about 30 minutes for carts. The course was booked and very slow but for a Sunday that is expected. We had three groups waiting to tee off on the third hole, and we waited about twenty minutes to tee off.

On the fourth hole one of our carts ran out of power so I had to call the pro shop and get them to bring us a cart. Another 10 minute wait. On the seventh hole two more of our four carts ran out of power. I called in again to get two more carts brought out and we waited for 20 minutes. I let three groups play through and was still waiting for a cart. My other sons that were playing in group behind us went on ni front of us and kept playing. I called the pro shop again and asked when our carts would be out. They said it may be awhile since they had carts all around the course that were out of power.

Apparently they just keep booking tee times and let people go out in carts that have already been out on 18 holes and hope they make it another 18. In my opinion this is bad business. If you do not have enough carts, quit booking tee times and selling cart rentals. I also talked to some of the players that we let play through and they said "ya the carts are so old and they do not buy new batteries that many times they have a cart not even make it 18 holes. So knowing this, why would they keep sending players out with carts they know are not going to make it around the course. Ours did not even make it 7 holes the first one only 3 holes and we were going to play all 18.

So after another 10 minute wait, I called the pro shop and told them we wanted our money back a when we got in from the first 9 holes. He said no problem just come in after you finish the 9 holes. I said I would. Needles to say the carts never showed up and I had my sons come back to get me and my other two sons.

It took 3 hours to get back in from the time we started the round and once I went in to get my refund, I was informed that they could not give me a refund for the entire amount only half since I played 7 holes.

I told them I wanted all of my money back and I was not going to settle for half. I had already wasted most of the day and I wanted it all. The kid behind the counter said it was not going to happen. I got extremely upset and we got into a shouting match. I told him I was not leaving until I got my refund. He told me to quit raising my voice at him and that he was not going to give me my money back. He said I was an @$!*% and a jerk and to get off his golf course. I was livid. I told him to call the police because I was not leaving without a refund. It is ridiculous that they continued to sell tee times and carts knowing the carts would not make it around the course. After much shouting by both of us and him calling me lots of names saying I was an @$!*% and a jerk, he decided to give me rain checks for all 6 players just to get me to leave. I asked him for the phone number of the manager and he said he could not give me that information.

He said he could not give me the refund because it was their policy if you play over 5 holes you loose. Your screwed, so it's easy for them to just keep making tee times and selling carts that they know are not going to make it around the course because they have no intention of giving you a refund. And unless you loose your temper and start shouting, you get shafted.

So I now have 6 rain checks for sale because I do not want to go back there and play. I was told I was a jerk and other names because I had to get upset to get what I was owed.

I was told when I called in while sitting on hole 7, that I would get a refund. I did not get a refund, I got my blood pressure up and a ruined birthday for my son.

So unless you plan on walking and are looking for a 6 hour round, don't go to the Links at Riverlakes on a Sunday afternoon.

Ive played this cousre at least twice a week for months (right by my house) and its still one of my favs. twilight is only $10 without a cart after 3. great course

Took a train ride to Bakersfield, met some family to take me to the course. Had a great time! Putting greens were great! Would love to play there again and again. Blacks are not that hard but....SAND????.....there are not that easy to play off of! Each green is protected somehow by sand or water! People were nice. It is true, no marshall will come out. Maybe understaffed? We started with frost delay, teed near 8:45 but was able to finish at 1:00. After my round, went back home on the Amtrak. All in all, a great day for golf!

No water at tee boxes after 4:00. No sand in "sand" traps. Greens peppered with un-repaired ball divots and the back nine is very soggy and bumpy. Greens add about 4 strokes per side to score. Very slow play and not one marshall seen in 5(!) hours of play. Fairways adjacent to driving range littered with range balls. Better conditions and value at county courses. It will be at least another 6 months before we play here again or bring a tourney here. Practice chipping and putting greens are nice but driving range tee areas not suited for better players.