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The transformation of the Auld Course into Salt Creek Golf Club has attracted significant attention. A new ownership group assumed control of the Chula Vista facility less than a year ago, and the course officially abandoned the Auld moniker on June 1. Improvements to the links-style course have been reinforced by the presence of high-profile athletes from inside and outside the golf world. The course recently hosted the championship flight of the SCGA Tournament of Club Champions, where only Johnny Holmes of Quail Ranch Golf Club managed to shoot under par. Playing 6,855 yards from the tips with a par of 72, Salt Creek is also the home course of the San Diego State women’s golf team. The program hosted the Lady Aztec Fall Classic in October, and the event managed to attract some of the top squads in the nation. “I think the course is starting to establish itself as a place that can deliver high-quality golf tournaments for all levels of competition,” said Tom Frost, former American Golf Corporation executive and Salt Creek partner. “We focused very hard on the conditioning of the course and the level of service.” In addition to high-profile amateur golfers, Salt Creek has received business from athletes at the United States Olympic Training Center, which is located about five miles from the course. “They’ve done a great job providing discounts to our athletes,” said Diana Wright, public information coordinator for the center. “The lessons [our athletes] have received have been really successful.” The Olympic patrons use the facility to hone their games during leisure time. Salt Creek also has retained its tranquil atmosphere and intriguing wildlife features. Course superintendent Rob Browns, formerly of Reidy Creek Golf Course in Escondido, has the track in prime condition for the start of 2007. “The greens have never been better,” said director of golf Ron Gorski. “[Rob] has them rolling pretty well.” (619) 482-4666 or www.saltcreekgc.com. STEELE CANYON IS ALWAYS IN GREAT SHAPE With three nine-hole layouts, Steele Canyon Golf Club offers a variety of land-scape characteristics that are always in pristine condition. “We try to provide a tournament-quality course every day,” said superintendent Phil Fitzgerald, who has been at the Jamul course since 2001. “The way we overseed the course is like nobody else. There are also water conservation issues because water in the area is so expensive.” By overseeding a smaller percentage of Steele Canyon’s acreage, Fitzgerald and his staff have promoted healthy Bermuda grass in the fairways and decreased the amount of poa, thus priming the course for peak playing conditions. Assisting him in day-to-day activities is Beau, a chocolate Labrador retriever who not only scares ducks away from playing areas but also provides stress relief for patrons. “Some golfers like to talk about him more than how they’re playing,” Fitz-gerald said. “He definitely earns his keep.” Fitzgerald has been an instrumental force in the San Diego chapter of the California Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the course recently hosted the ninth annual Scholarship & Research Tournament, benefiting the Ray Spardy Memorial Scholarship. Funds raised from the event are divided between Turfgrass research and educational opportunities for those pursuing the course maintenance industry. With his peers participating in the tournament, Fitzgerald had Steele Can-yon in its usual solid shape. “I’ve got a fantastic staff that works really hard. We didn’t have to do a whole lot extra,” he said. (619) 441-6900 or www.steelecanyon.com. WOODS VALLEY MAKES GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION Woods Valley Golf Club will complete its second year of operation in May, though the course hasn’t needed much time to establish itself as one of the most popular in San Diego County. Located in Valley Center, the 6,505-yard, par-72 track utilizes water hazards and tree-lined fairways to place a premium on accuracy and shot-making skills. While the front nine is straightforward with danger in plain sight, the back nine features narrower holes that require a more strategic approach. “Right now the course is in the best condition it’s been in since it opened,” said general manager Dennis Sullivan. “People keep coming back and talking about what a pleasant experience it is.” A unique feature at the course expected to be completed by the end of Feb-ruary are cart paths made from decompressed granite, which will give the venue an earthy look to complement its diverse setting. Also on tap this year is the establishment of a men’s club. Membership is $60 annually and events will be held Wed-nesdays and Saturdays. (760) 751-3007 or www.woodsvalleygolfclub.com. SAIL HO BACK IN BUSINESS AFTER RECENT UPGRADES Sail Ho Golf Club opened in 1925 to help round out the physical fitness and well-being program for recruits at the Naval Training Center in San Diego. Among those who honed their skills at Sail Ho were Sam Snead, who was the course’s head professional during his military service, as well as junior standouts Craig Stadler and Phil Mickelson. In an effort to restore Sail Ho to prominence, the Corky McMillin Companies, aided by the guidance of CSC Golf Management Inc., redeveloped the track as part of the new Liberty Station community. After being closed for two years, the track reopened to the public September 30. “People absolutely love it,” said assistant operations manager Larry St. Clair. “It’s more challenging than you think.” Prior to architect Cary Bickler’s re-design, Sail Ho’s executive layout featured seven par-3 holes and a pair of par-4s. It now has all par-3s, ranging from 70 to 204 yards from the back tees. The course is in superb shape, with well-groomed putting surfaces and manicured fairways and tee boxes. Add-itional amenities include a new clubhouse, improved practice area and the Sail Ho Bar & Grill. The course appears well on its way to again becoming a fixture in the San Diego golfing landscape. Sail Ho will host at least two junior golf tournaments this year and has hired Tim Parun to lead the teaching facility. “Tim is really well-known in the area,” St. Clair said. “He’s a good guy and he brings a lot of clientele with him.” (619) 222-4653 or www.sailhogolf.com. EAGLE CREST PROVIDES NATURE AT ITS FINEST Located near the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Eagle Crest Golf Club offers an enjoyable golfing experience in the heart of a stunning natural setting. There is a wildlife preserve mixed into the 18-hole layout, which offers a suitable challenge to players of all skill levels. Eight lakes, a variety of waterfalls and wildflowers and the occasional eagle flying overhead add to the natural beauty. Improvements at Eagle Crest that have been completed or are in the works include new carts, leveled tee boxes, new sand in the bunkers and a new clubhouse. “The course has definitely grown up since it first opened [in 1992],” said assistant manager Matt Benedict. “There’s definitely a country club atmosphere here.” The location in Escondido gives Eagle Crest a peaceful ambience and ideal weather conditions year round. (760) 737-9762 or www.eaglecrestgc.com. DEL MAR’S GOLF FEST HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Golf Fest celebrates its 10th anniversary March 9-11 at the Del Mar Fair-grounds, and they’re providing a gift. All attendees at the three-day event will receive a free round of golf at Warner Springs Ranch. Visitors also can see and experience more than 100 displays of the latest golf merchandise, services and entertainment. Hands-on activities include golf instruction, a hitting cage to test equipment and a golf simulator featuring some famous courses. Contests and raffles will be held for equipment, tee times and golf vacations, and live presentations, shows and junior-themed video games are also on the agenda. Admission is $10, with children under 12 admitted free. (858) 586-1202 or www.golffestshow.com. JC RESORTS UPGRADES REGIONAL FACILITIES A new clubhouse and new guestrooms are now part of the package at JC Resorts’ Encinitas Ranch Golf Course and Rancho Bernardo Inn. The remodeled clubhouse at Encinitas Ranch is designed to serve individuals and large tournaments, with an enhanced menu, full-service bar and new televisions part of the upgrade. Indoor seating for up to 150 guests, an outdoor patio that can accommodate up to 60, portable scoreboards for indoor scoring and a private room make the clubhouse ideal for tournament gatherings. The renovations at Rancho Bernardo include high-tech entertainment offerings, original artwork, enhanced rooms and early California-inspired furnishings throughout the property. Rancho Bernardo is also known for its fine cuisine at El Bizcocho and Ver-anda, and the Buena Vista spa has re-ceived accolades. The inn, which also offers meeting space for groups of 25 to 500, is located near the Wild Animal Park and Legoland, making it an ideal spot for children and families, as well. www.jcresorts.com. LA COSTA WELCOMES FLICK TO PRACTICE CENTER Golf instructor Jim Flick recently opened an office at La Costa Resort and Spa’s redesigned $1.5 million practice facility. “This is an outstanding place for golfers of all ages to enjoy improving their game,” said Flick, a member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, who relocated from Arizona and plans to work at the facility. “La Costa has done a marvelous job with the renovation.” Joining Flick at the facility is Roger Fredericks, who opened his Golf Swing Flexibility Program at La Costa in December. “It is very exciting to see La Costa leading the way in offering one of the most complete golf programs in the world in an ideal setting,” Fredericks said. The project expanded the previous 4.5 acres into 10 acres, complete with new sod, drainage and irrigation. Driving ranges anchor the west and east ends, with putting and chipping areas in between. (760) 438-9111 or www.lacosta.com. THE CROSSINGS AT CARLSBAD PLANS SUMMER DEBUT The Crossings at Carlsbad, a Greg Nash-designed golf course with dramatic elevation changes and ocean views from many holes, is scheduled to open this summer. Since the property is within a coastal zone surrounded by protected habitat, the course is designed to preserve the natural habitat while also promoting tourism. “The Crossings at Carlsbad fulfills a desire by city officials to provide a world-class golf experience for the residents of Carlsbad, while operating the type of facility that will attract golfers from great distances,” said Carlsbad Mayor Claude A. Lewis. “The name of the golf course is derived from five distinctive crossings integral to the golf course, including a dramatic crossing of a natural gorge on the back nine.” KemperSports Management will op-erate the facility. (760) 476-9933 or www.thecrossingsatcarlsbad.com. SYCUAN RESORT & CASINO ADDS SPA TO AMENITIES The Sycuan Resort & Casino is complementing its two “g”s — golf and gambling — with a pair of “r”s — rest and relaxation, thanks to a spa that opened at the El Cajon facility in October. “Having a spa is an amenity resort guests have come to expect. We’ve had a really good response since it opened,” said spa manager Meg Sherwood. The Sycuan Resort also offers 54 holes of golf, and the property has been boosted by the remodeling of the restaurant and Echo’s Lounge, which now features LCD televisions. “It’s a significant upgrade from what our lounge was before,” said Rick Tib-bitts, the resort’s director of sales. The golf facility was recently recognized as Best Golf Course in the readers’ poll of SignOnSanDiego.com for the third year in a row. “It’s an honor we’re quite proud of,” Tibbitts said. “[The courses] are as stunning as they’ve ever been.” (888) 556-2058 or www.sycuanresort.com. |
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