Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
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"A good golf course makes you want to play so badly that you hardly have the time to change your shoes. " |
-Ben Crenshaw |
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 Once again, the guide rated Poway's Maderas Golf Club as the best layout in San Diego County. "That's the sixth consecutive year we've been tied with the South Course at Torrey Pines or No. 1 by ourselves," said the San Diego golf club's director of sales and marketing Charles Rosen. "These are ratings decided by the public." Maderas also is the third-ranked course in California, according to Zagat. "It's a nice ranking to have," said PGA director of golf Mike Lissebeck. For golfers who have yet to experience the Johnny Miller/Robert Muir Graves design in San Diego, this summer offers the ideal opportunity. From now until September 1, patrons can play the course at reduced green fees: Monday-Thursday, $99 (down from $170), and Fridays and weekends, $109 (down from $210). What's more, replaying the course is free if space is available. The only blackout dates are June 9-15. This month, Maderas will showcase a change on the par-5 eighth hole. A tee has been added almost 60 yards back from the original length of 507 yards, giving better players more space to hit driver and attack the green in two. Overall, the layout challenges golfers with slick greens and picturesque mounding, though six sets of tees and many generous landing areas accommodate golfers of all skills. Maderas also is an ideal venue for upscale group outings in San Diego. "The course is looking magnificent right now," Rosen said. For more information: (858) 451-8100 or maderasgolf.com. Junior World Championships return to Riverwalk Now in its 11th year of operation, Riverwalk Golf Club has established itself as one of San Diego County's most popular venues. Centrally located in Mission Valley, near the San Diego's major freeways, Riverwalk again is a host course for the Junior World Golf Championships. The 27-hole facility will be the site for the boys 13-14 division beginning July 15. That will come a month after what should be one of its busiest weeks in recent memory. "We've got lots of corporate events during the week of the U.S. Open," said general manager Lee Finkel, who took his post at Riverwalk last November. "And lately, we've been busier than normal on a walk-up basis." With 107 bunkers and water features in play on 13 of 27 holes, Riverwalk demands accuracy from tee to green, but the Mission, Friars and Presidio nines are not overly difficult. The San Diego golf property has an expansive practice area with 45 hitting bays and an 11,000-square-foot putting green. The area also is lit, allowing patrons to utilize it until 9 p.m. For more information: (619) 296-4653 or riverwalk.americangolf.com. For information on group outings, call Tina Sanchez-Alvarez at (619) 296-9541. Community warms up to Crossings at Carlsbad Since opening to the public last August, the Crossings at Carlsbad, in San Diego County, has become a hit among residents and visitors. "We're just now starting to get our turf to blossom and have some great course conditions," said general manager Jeff Perry. "Everybody has said the more they play the course, the more they understand it and how to play it." The San Diego golf facility, managed by KemperSports and recently voted one of the Top 10 New Courses You Can Play by Golf Magazine, has had success with its membership program. The Crossings Club, which costs $179 for Carlsbad residents and $189 for San Diego County residents, includes two complimentary rounds, a twilight window that begins an hour early, and a free shirt and towel with logos. The Greg Nash-designed layout has given San Diego County locals plenty to talk about, as has the Canyons restaurant. Located inside the Crossings' 28,000-square-foot clubhouse, the restaurant offers a seasonal menu, with favorites such as truffle fries and homemade chicken pot pie. "Our food and beverage has been one of the most positive things since we opened," Perry said. The Crossings at Carlsbad has special events ideal for golfers and families in San Diego. In addition to a Father's Day barbecue this month, there will be a Fourth of July gathering that will conclude with a view of the fireworks show at neighboring Legoland of San Diego. "We do everything we can to keep the community involved in the property," Perry said. For more information: (760) 444-1800 or thecrossingsatcarlsbad.com. Garden pool highlights new amenities at La Costa With two 18-hole courses and some of the most luxurious guest accommodations in San Diego County and Southern California, La Costa Resort & Spa is one of the region's premier golf destinations. This summer, patrons can beat the heat by basking in the Carlsbad resort's new garden pool, which features an expanded deck, adult pool and Jacuzzi, and a café and bar that serves light fare, drinks and ice cream poolside. "Our new garden pool area offers a great place to relax for guests, as it is newly renovated with a more adult feel," said director of golf Dave Doerr. The San Diego golf resort has added variety to the menu at the Legends Bistro, which reopened last November after renovations. Enticing new dishes include Vermont Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, a S'mores Pot Pie dessert, and root beer floats served tableside. The BlueFire Grill will also debut a new menu this month. The North and South courses at La Costa remain two of the most renowned and upscale layouts in San Diego, and Doerr said the tracks' bunkers are being improved as part of an ongoing renovation project. "We continue to work diligently to upgrade our bunker surfaces to create consistency of playability," he said. For more information: (800) 854-5000 or lacosta.com. Renovated Rancho Bernardo Inn has hot summer deal The Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego has added to its guest amenities with a recently completed $25 million renovation. Improvements include refurbished guest rooms, which now have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet, a DVD player, an iPod-ready stereo, and private patios or balconies. The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is one of the San Diego area's newest relaxation destinations, featuring temperature-controlled outdoor treatment casitas and tranquil aesthetics. Guests can take advantage of the resort's new amenities with a golf package this summer. Starting at $349 per night for two, the package includes unlimited golf at Rancho Bernardo Inn as well as Twin Oaks and Oaks North, both located a short distance from the property in San Diego. Those who don't want to play golf can use the spa instead. Some restrictions apply. The championship track at Rancho Bernardo Inn, which stretches 6,631 yards from the tips, was designed by William F. Bell, who has crafted some of the most hallowed layouts in Southern California. For more information: (877) 269-5251 or ranchobernardoinn.com. Woods Valley beefs up layout for better players Woods Valley Golf Club general manager Dennis Sullivan has overseen a variety of changes at the San Diego-area facility this year, and arguably the most exciting has been the decision to lengthen the course significantly. It now plays as a par 71 from the black and blue tees, stretching as far as 6,633 yards. "We've added some meat on the bones," Sullivan said. "Nobody's going to say this course is too short or too easy." The Southern California Golf Association assigned a 72.1 rating and a 133 slope for the new setup. Among the most prominent extensions are on the par-4 10th hole (48 yards longer), the par-3 16th (24 yards longer) and the par-4 17th (35 yards longer). The 11th hole, formerly a par 5 from all tee markers, will now be played as a 447-yard par 4 from the blacks and 441 yards from the blues. Woods Valley also has added another set of tees: the silvers, which will be in between the white and gold markers. Other improvements include brass-plated SCGA tee markers, a cart path leading to the 15th hole, and an upgraded computerized irrigation system that will promote better water conservation. The San Diego golf course also has a new players club program. Every dollar spent on green fees at Woods Valley is worth one point, and when a patron collects 200 points, he or she gets a free round. A credit card-style system is used to monitor the points. "With this program, we're rewarding our regulars, which is something we want to do," Sullivan said. For more information: (760) 751-3007 or woodsvalleygolfclub.com. New cart fleet coming to Eastlake Country Club Two major enhancements are on tap this summer at Eastlake Country Club, a Ted Robinson-designed course in San Diego County's Chula Vista lined by more than 900 trees. The San Diego golf facility will add 80 carts to its fleet next month, each featuring a ProLink GPS system. The E-Z-GO RXVs are reported to have a longer battery life, more breakaway force and less vibration than its competitors. Eastlake also is enhancing its irrigation system. "We're in the process of improving the turf coverage and efficiency of our water system to provide a better overall experience on the golf course and practice range," said general manager Dave Landers. Like other courses in the San Diego area, Eastlake expects a spike in play during U.S. Open week. To book a tee time then or any other time, call the pro shop or use eastlake.americangolf.com. For those who live and work in downtown San Diego, Eastlake is more accessible than ever thanks to the new toll road on the 125 freeway. "[The toll road] literally shaves 10 minutes off the drive here from downtown," Landers said. For more information: (619) 482-5757 or eastlake.americangolf.com. Horse racing season an ideal time to stay at Morgan Run Morgan Run Club & Resort is just off the 5 freeway and near a variety of popular destinations in San Diego County, including SeaWorld, PETCO Park and beaches. It's also close to San Diego's Del Mar Fairgrounds, meaning resort guests who arrive between July 18 and Labor Day are only minutes away from catching the excitement of the horse racing season. Though Morgan Run is booked for the U.S. Open, guests can find significant savings for other summer dates through stay-and-play packages. Last April, the San Diego course played host to the 10th annual Stan Humphries Celebrity Classic, and once again competitors were pleased with the scenic venue. "Celebrities like Rollie Fingers, Grant Fuhr, and winner Mickey Tettleton said it's the best they'd ever seen the course," said general manager Jim MacDonough. "It's awesome right now." A semi-private facility featuring three nines, Morgan Run will unveil its Spa and Sports Center in mid-November. Among its features are a 3,000-square-foot athletic area stocked with fitness equipment from Technogym. For more information: (858) 756-2471 or morganrun.com. Arrowood features Aformidable finishing stretch Oceanside's Arrowood Golf Course in San Diego County will celebrate three years of operation this month, and the timing couldn't be better. "The course is really starting to mature and come into its own," said director of golf Eric Jeska. "The greens are exactly the way we want them to be." While conditions of the 6,721-yard track are pristine, the challenge of the three finishing holes are formidable. The par-4 16th stretches 465 yards from the tips and requires an approach to an island green. The uphill 17th hole doglegs to the left and is one of the course's most narrow holes, and the par-4 18th is protected by four fairway bunkers and a lake in front of the green. "The finishing holes are some of the strongest in Southern California," said Rob Oosterhuis, PGA director of golf operations for San Diego-based JC Resorts, which manages Arrowood. Under PGA director of instruction Paul Miernicki, Arrowood features one of the top junior golf programs in San Diego County. For $125 a month, and with no long-term commitment, juniors have access to weekly clinics on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There also is the option of attending one of the Saturday clinics for $20. For more information: (760) 967-8400 or arrowoodgolf.com. Restaurant reopens at Meadow Lake Set among rolling hills and stately oak trees, Escondido's Meadow Lake Golf Club is one of the most serene and scenic venues in northern San Diego County. New ownership has also brought changes, with the most prominent being the reopening of the Oak Room Grille. The restaurant serves food from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can accommodate up to 150 people for dinners, weddings or other special events. The summer offers the ideal time to take advantage of Meadow Lake's expansive patio. In addition to being a frequent barbecue spot in the months to come, it can host up to 200 people for group outings. For those seeking a more intimate event setting, the Fireside room can accommodate up to 40 people and be used for dining and dancing. Another new development at Meadow Lake this summer will be walk-in clinics for juniors on the last Saturday of each month. The 45-minute sessions will give youngsters an opportunity to learn the game and take advantage of the San Diego facility's full-service practice area. "They've built a lot of homes around here in the last five years, so there are a lot more families than there ever have been," said PGA head professional Michael Marshall. "We're trying to reach out to the kids." Marshall said the semi-private club also is reaching out with discount packages on memberships. For more information: (760) 749-1620 or meadowlakegolfclub.com. Doubletree has hot promotions this summer With cozy accommodations and a course designed by William F. Bell, Doubletree Golf Resort in San Diego is an ideal spot for San Diego residents and visitors to check out the facility's summer promotions. Golfers Club memberships start at $250 per month and include unlimited golf Monday through Thursday, and every other day members only pay a cart fee of $11 to play after 11 a.m. Another perk is 20 percent off pro shop merchandise, and if a member wants to add a family member, it's $345 for two people, and $440 for three. General manager of golf operations Allen Balone likens the Golfers Club to a "health club membership," as members need to sign a contract and pay the first and last months' cost to join. Booking a group outing at Doubletree rewards participants with entry into the Tournament Rewards program and the Players Club. Tournament Rewards entitles a golfer to one free round within three months of the outing. Some blackout dates apply. The Players Club pass gets a player one month of free twilight golf from the day of the event. The pass also provides access to complimentary golf clinics. Balone also said Doubletree's bunker restoration project should be finished by early fall and will not affect daily play. For more information: (858) 672-9100 or doubletree.com. For information on group outings, contact Mary Concepcion at (858) 485-4143. |
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