Planning a trip to Southern California and wondering which of the area’s outstanding golf courses is the very best?

My vote goes to the Sherwood Country Club, located about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles in beautiful Hidden Valley.

What qualifies me to offer such an opinion is that I spent nearly 40 years as a sportswriter in Los Angeles – 8 ½ with the old Herald Examiner and 30-plus with the L.A. Times – and at one time or other got to play almost every course in the area.

What sets Sherwood apart from the others, I believe, is its location. It is routed among ancient oak trees, jasmine and rose bushes and surrounded by multi-million mansions where such people as legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully now lives and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky used to live.

Also, the Jack Nicklaus-designed 7,052-yard, par-72 course is magnificent and so is the ultra-modern clubhouse.

Television viewers have gotten a glimpse of Sherwood because Greg Norman held his Shark Shootout there for 11 years and more recently it has been the site of Tiger Woods’ annual charity tournament.

Yes, it is a fabulous place. But it is also very exclusive and very private. It’s easier to get a tee time at St. Andrews than it is at Sherwood.

So how could one get to play the course during a Southern California vacation?

Here’s one way: Sign up to play in the Provident Financial Management Golf Classic, to be held at Sherwood next March 21. The entry fee is $1,500, but that is a bargain. It used to be $2,500. Also, you’ll be helping a good cause.

The tournament benefits the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Over the past three years, the tournament has raised more than $523,000.

This well-run tournament is as good as they get, and also a few celebrities show up. Last year, Eagles guitarist Don Felder and pro surfer Timmy Curran were among the notable participants.

After this year’s event, Provident Financial COO Ivan Axelrod said: “It was a privilege to enjoy Sherwood Country Club, but what truly made this event a success was the generosity of our players.

“Over 100 players from all corners of the business community came together for a vital cause, and together we are ensuing the doctors are the Bogart Labs at Childrens Hospital will be able to continue their groundbreaking research to save countless children’s lives.”

For information on next year’s tournament, contact Sara Fitzgerald at 323 330-0509 or Sam Dependahl at 310 313-6374.