Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
STROKE OF THE DAY |
"Everyone has his own choking level, a level at which he fails to play his normal golf. As you get more experienced, your choking level rises." |
-Johnny Miller |
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF
CALENDAR
COURSES
|
||||
 But avid Southern California golfers know that there are other hidden gems in the region. We've all played a course where a specific hole sticks out because of its gorgeous layout or breathtaking scenery. Courses often call these beauties their signature holes. With that in mind, we're writing about a few of the holes that fit that description. As you'll see, it's not just the location of the course that makes for spectacular views, it's also the location of the hole on a particular course that adds to its beauty. Hop on and play along. You'll be glad you did. Riverwalk Golf Çlub Where: San Diego Designers: Ted Robinson Sr. and Ted Robinson Jr. Hole: 3rd, Mission Course Par: 4 Length: 304 yards Description: A great risk-reward hole that is reachable off the tee under the right conditions. Ocean breezes and a pond on the right side of the fairway and green factor into the decision. Natural plant life surrounding a waterfall and stream flows around left side of the green and feeds into the pond. Quotable: "Other than the beauty of the landscape and hazards, the hole offers the beauty of giving a player options on how to play the hole," said general manager Rick Adams. The Vineyard Where: Escondido Designer: David Rainville Hole: 3rd Par: 3 Length: 125 yards Description: This hole is short and sweet. The elevated tee makes club selection tricky because the shot is all carry over water. A back bunker will catch some shots hit long, but most errant shots will slide down a slope and into the water. Quotable: "It's a spectacular view," said general manager Brad Van Horn. "The green is basically surrounded by the marsh and there are no homes in sight." Rancho Bernardo Inn Where: San Diego Designer: William Bell Hole: 18th Par: 5 Length: 544 yards Description: An elevated tee box starts this beautiful finishing hole, where long hitters have a chance to reach the three-tiered green in two. But it's all uphill to the green, with a creek on the right side of the fairway and water on the left, where lay-up shots often land. Quotable: "Don't let the beauty of the backdrop take away from the fact that this is one of the best and most challenging finishing holes in San Diego," said director of golf Erik Johnson. Carlton Oaks Golf Club Where: Santee Designer: Pete Dye Hole: 12th Par: 3 Length: 200 yards Description: A water hazard to the right of the green and a bail-out area to the left make players think before selecting a club. The green slopes toward the water and has a ridge in the middle, making distance control an absolute must. Quotable: "The hole is unique because it challenges golfers from all levels," said general manager Gerry Dremel. "The peninsula design and location of the hole on the course provides a great scenic view." San Vicente Inn Where: Ramona Designer: Ted Robinson Sr. Hole: 12th Par: 3 Length: 152 yards Description: Accuracy and distance control are key because tee shots must carry water, avoid bunkers to the left and not be hit too hard. Subtle undulations on the green will make you think twice before putting. Quotable: "The intimidation factor of carrying the water with the trees and rocky terrain in the background makes this hole beautiful," said head professional John Rathbun. Doubletree Golf Resort Where: San Diego Designer: William F. Bell Hole: 16th Par: 3 Length: 130 yards Description: From the tee, you can't see the greenside bunkers protecting this uphill par 3 and, depending on the pin location, the top of the flagstick is barely visible. The beauty of this hole appears from the green, where a picturesque view of the resort and surrounding terrain await. Quotable: "When players reach the green they see the valley and Black Mountain Range," said assistant pro Jason Nabors. Morgan Run Resort Where: Rancho Santa Fe Designer: Jay Morrish Hole: 8th, North Course Par: 3 Length: 196 yards Description: Water awaits shots hit to the right and short of the elevated green, which is crowned, meaning that most players will be faced with a putt that has a lot of break. Quotable: "It has a nice background, with a pond to the right and palm tress behind the green," said director of golf Gary Sowinski. "There is a nice overall feel to the hole; it's like having a postcard before your eyes." Eagle Crest Where: Escondido Designer: David Rainville Hole: 9th Par: 4 Length: 364 yards Description: An accurate tee shot is needed because out-of-bounds markers flank the left side of the fairway and a lateral hazard guards the right. A pond about 260 yards away and a green bordered by water and three bunkers add to your club and shot selections. Quotable: "The best play is to hit a club you're comfortable with and enjoy the scenery," said director of golf Harvey Snyder. Warner Springs Ranch Where: Warner Springs Designer: David Rainville Hole: 5th Par: 3 Length: 190 yards Description: Tee shots must be hit through a chute of cottonwood trees, and any shot hit right of the green will likely bounce into a stream that feeds a pond in front of the tee box. The green is deep, narrow and sloped from back to front. Quotable: "It is one of the most difficult tee shots on the course due to it being heavily guarded by trees," said director of golf Greg Prudham. Woods Valley Golf Club Where: Valley Center Designer: David Ginkel Hole: 14th Par: 4 Length: 425 yards Description: A tree-lined fairway that bends to the right requires an accurate tee shot. Two large greenside bunkers protect the putting surface from punch shots that come from the wooded areas. Quotable: "This hole is a beauty and a beast," said general manager Dennis Sullivan. "It is so different from the rest of the course it seems like you are in a different part of the country." Sail Ho Golf Club Where: San Diego Designer: A.G. Spalding Hole: 5th Par: 3 Length: 77 yards Description: San Diego's skyline and the bay come into view on the tee box of this quaint par 3 (below). With false fronts on the left and right sides of the green, and a collection area at the back, there is no room for error. A bunker 15 yards behind the green collects shots hit long. Quotable: "A scenic backdrop can be seen from the tee box," said former general manager Chris Marsh. "You can easily forget about the trouble the hole has to offer." Castle Creek Where: Escondido Designer: Jack Daray Hole: 14th Par: 4 Length: 425 yards Description: This hole is deceptively dangerous because tee shots must carry a lateral water hazard about 225 yards away. Another water hazard on the left side of the landing area and a third hazard in front of the green add to the need for accurate shots. Quotable: "Any score from a 3 to a 10 is possible on this hole," said general manager Larry Taylor. "With the three hazards and cottonwood trees framing the hole, it is as beautiful a hole as it is dangerous." Salt Creek Golf Club Where: Chula Vista Designers: Cary Bicker and John Cook Hole: 5th Par: 4 Length: 367 yards Description: The elevated tee provides a panoramic view of the golf course. Tee shots must land between water on the left and out-of-bounds stakes on the right. Approach shots must then carry more water and avoid a eucalyptus grove before landing on the large green below. Quotable: "Playing this hole gives you a true taste of a links-style hole with no homes and no distractions; it's only you, the course, the ocean breeze and nature," said tournament sales director Grant Wingate. The Crossings at Carlsbad Where: Carlsbad Designer: Greg Nash Hole: 7th Par: 5 Length: 556 yards Description: This hole is love at first sight with an elevated tee box supported by rock outcroppings and views of the Pacific Ocean. Fairway bunkers and a rock-face waterfall that feeds water into the lakes protecting the three-tiered green provide a little beast to this beauty. Quotable: "You may not fall in love with the obstacles the hole has to offer, but you will surely fall in love with its beauty," said director of golf Gary Glaser. San Luis Rey Downs Golf Club Where: Bonsall Designer: Ted Robinson Sr. Hole: 12th Par: 5 Length: 522 yards Description: The green is protected by bunkers on the right, left and rear. On paper, the hole looks like a birdie opportunity, but the tree-lined fairway and tricky green make par a good score. Quotable: "From the tee box the cluster of palm trees and hill in the background provide a scenic atmosphere," said director of golf Greg Milligan. "And when you look back toward the tee box from the green you can tell how narrow the hole really is." |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This Article
