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It’s Open season

With a major championship on the horizon, San Diego courses are taking center stage.

By Eli MillerPublished: January, 2008

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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON.

The U.S. Open is now less than six months away from coming to Torrey Pines in La Jolla, and some local courses have already noticed a higher level of excitement in the area.

“There’s a buzz about it,” said John McNair, vice president of golf for JC Resorts. “It’s good for business.”

There is no better way to get ready for the Open than to get acquainted with the golf courses in the area hosting the major. Dozens of options exist throughout San Diego County, from coastal tracks and resort layouts to desert-influenced properties and fun executive venues.

Here’s a look at what’s going on at 10 of those properties.

TWIN OAKS PICKS UP THE PACE

Sometimes, the quality of a course, the camaraderie of your friends, and the splendor of a beautiful day can be ruined — by slow play.

Twin Oaks Golf Course has done something to eliminate that possibility on weekend mornings.

The San Marcos property instituted a “Pace of Play” program last year to pledge rounds beginning before 9 a.m. on either Saturday or Sunday will be completed in four hours or less.

So far, the results have been positive.

“We’re re-booking all of the time because they want to play at that pace,” said John McNair, vice president of golf for JC Resorts. “They can’t get that anywhere else.”

When patrons make tee times within the designated time frames, they are informed of the pace policy. As soon as players find themselves behind the time they teed off on any of the clocks at the tee boxes, they will be considered out of position and be helped by a player assistant for a maximum of two holes. If they are still out of position after that, the assistant will bring the group into position.

“The key is setting the expectation on the phone with the person,” McNair said. “It’s not just talk, it’s going to happen.”

For more information: (760) 591-4700 or jcgolf.com.

FALL FOR SYCUAN RESORT AT COUPLES GOLF CLASSIC

Some of the prettiest San Diego weather can be found around Memorial Day. Why not savor the atmosphere with a loved one on the golf course?

From Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, El Cajon’s Sycuan Resort will host the inaugural Memorial Weekend Couples Golf Classic, presented by Southland Golf magazine.

An entry fee of $1,495 per couple includes accommodations for three nights complete with a deluxe room and breakfast buffet, two days of golf for two with cart and lunch, a Sunday night dinner with an open beer and wine bar, and $100 in resort credit.

And there’s the tournament itself, which will have male-female best-ball gross and net divisions and be played over 36 holes. Plenty of awards and prizes will be handed out, too.

“We are excited to host what will surely be a fun tournament over the holiday weekend,” said Sycuan Resort sales and marketing director Rick Tibbitts.

With a pair of 18-hole championship courses and one of the best manicured par-3 courses in San Diego County, Sycuan Resort has been recognized as one of the top golf facilities in the area for a number of years.

For more information: (800) 457-5568 or sycuanresort.com.

MORGAN RUN’S ‘RETREAT’ WILL ADD NEW DIMENSION TO RESORT

In November of 2008, Morgan Run Resort & Club will unveil another big reason for residents from the Southland and beyond to visit.

Construction began on a new sports and spa facility, known as “The Retreat,” late last year. The 15,200-square-foot building will feature an advanced fitness area, pilates studio, zero-entry pool and seven spa rooms. There will also be state-of-the-art locker accommodations for men and women, a lounge, and the Oasis dining area.

Present at the November groundbreaking ceremony were two NFL superstars — San Diego Chargers place kicker Nate Kaeding and former Buffalo Bills All-Pro wide receiver Andre Reed — and Vince Coleman, who stole 752 bases over 13 career Major League Baseball seasons.

“One of the reasons we picked those guys to be front and center is because of the athletic center,” said club manager Jim MacDonough. “The new [Sport & Spa] Retreat will match the quality of the course and provide an impressive setting where our members can congregate and feel at home.”

Morgan Run also has spearheaded a unique program for female club members around San Diego looking to start playing golf. The Green Angel program, started four years ago by Morgan Run director of member relations Jamie Schaible, has allowed more than 200 women to learn the game in a relaxed, social environment, free of the potentially rigorous atmosphere associated with certain instruction sessions.

From now until the end of May, the resort is offering a one-night stay with a double-occupancy room and two rounds of golf with cart and range balls starting at $329.

Also, those interested in hospitality for the U.S. Open can find it at Morgan Run, which has suites and facilities ideal for gatherings before or after the tournament.

For more information: (858) 756-2471 or morganrun.com.

WOODS VALLEY GOING TO GREATER LENGTH

After a fairway restoration project in 2007, Woods Valley Golf Club is not resting on its laurels for 2008.

New owners purchased the Valley Center property last November and have grand designs for this year, including lengthening five holes and adding a grill next to the pro shop.

“People have to drive to get to us. We want the drive to be worthwhile,” said general manager Dennis Sullivan.

After adding permanent yardage markers on the sprinkler heads and lengthening the par-3 eighth hole, four more holes will be extended: the par-4 first, the par-4 fourth, the par-3 16th, and the par-4 17th. Also, a set of silver tees will be added behind the gold, meaning there will now be five sets of hitting areas.

“We’ve got to make the course a little more challenging,” Sullivan said of the layout, which should play a couple hundred yards longer than its current 6,505-yard maximum.

Y.J. Kim, who bought Woods Valley with business partner Inyo Lieuw, is excited about the changes.

“I saw great potential in the golf course,” said Kim.

Other property enhancements are in the works for 2008, and the staff is hoping to accomplish as much as possible by the end of March and progress from there.

For more information: (760) 751-3007 or woodsvalleygolfclub.com.

TOLL ROAD RINGS NICELY FOR SALT CREEK

Already one of the most centrally located courses in San Diego County, Salt Creek Golf Club has now become even more accessible.

With the opening of the 125 toll freeway extension, known as the South Bay Expressway, commuters can now access the Chula Vista course more quickly.

“[The 125 extension] saves 10 minutes off the drive out there each way,” said general manager Ron Gorski.

Normally, the route to Salt Creek meant exiting on H Street off the 805 freeway and driving east for over six miles.

As for the course, which avoided any serious damage while doubling as a command post during the San Diego wildfires, it remains in solid shape to start the year.

For more information: (619) 482-4666 or saltcreekgc.com.

EVENTFUL YEAR ON TAP AT CARLTON OAKS

If you didn’t know there was a challenging, picturesque and affordable Pete Dye-designed golf course in San Diego, now you do.

Santee’s Carlton Oaks Country Club, a par-72 track that plays a robust 7,225 yards from the tips, has remained one of the strongest courses in the region for the last few decades.

“To me, it’s really a hidden gem in San Diego,” said PGA head professional and director of golf Jerry Dremel. “We’re focusing on course conditions and having just an absolutely beautiful golf course that is affordable for everybody to play.”

Carlton Oaks is an exciting test that will be the site of many prominent tournaments in 2008. It will host the first stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School later this year — if not for the San Diego wildfires, the course would have hosted the event for the first time last October.

Beginning Monday, March 24, Carlton Oaks will welcome the Canadian Tour, which will be having its own qualifying for the coming campaign. Other notable events this year include the 13-14 age division for the girls in the Junior World Championships, sectional qualifying for the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur, and the Carlton Oaks Invitational, a men’s collegiate event hosted by Iowa’s Drake University on February 18 and 19. Drake alumnus and Masters champion Zach Johnson will be in attendance.

In addition to being a competitive proving ground, Carlton Oaks is a great place for casual golfers to get away from it all. With 60 rooms in its lodge and clubhouse upgrades on the docket for 2008, the property is an affordable golfing option for both locals and tourists.

For more information: (619) 448-4242 or carltonoaksgolf.com.

SAIL HO RETURNING TO HISTORIC JUNIOR ROOTS

Since unveiling a Cary Bickler redesign more than a year ago, Sail Ho Golf Club at Liberty Station in Point Loma has again become an attractive option in the city of San Diego.

With nine par-3 holes ranging from 70 to 204 yards, it is a great venue for beginners and experienced players looking to hone both their short game and iron accuracy.

“The course is now maturing. It’s settling in nicely,” said operations manager Lawrence St. Clair.

Sail Ho hosted tournaments for local junior organizations in 2007, and in 2008 St. Clair announced the facility will have a junior tournament of its own in March to kick start the Sail Ho Junior Golf Academy. Locally renowned PGA professional Tim Parun will head instruction efforts.

“There’s great history here. So many San Diego golf professionals in the PGA played here as juniors,” St. Clair said, noting a list that includes Billy Casper, Gene Littler and Phil Mickelson. “This is going to bring that history back alive again.”

For more information: (619) 222-4653 or sailhogolf.com.

STAY AND PLAY TWICE AT SAN LUIS REY DOWNS

San Luis Rey Downs Golf and Country Club offers relaxing accommodations and a 6,750-yard layout in the tranquil San Luis Rey River Valley.

Adding to the property’s place in Southland lore is that the course record of 8-under 64 is held by San Gabriel native and CBS Sports golf analyst Gary McCord.

Located near the intersection of the 15 freeway and the 76 in Bonsall, San Luis Rey Downs is offering a superb special for the start of 2008. A $95 stay-and-play package nets a one-night stay sandwiched between two 18-hole rounds.

“The green fees alone would be more than that,” said general manager and PGA director of golf Greg Milligan.

From February 10-12, the course will host some of the best collegiate players in the country at the Cal State San Marcos Invitational.

For more information: (800) 783-6967 or slrd.com.

EAGLE CREST KEEPS SOARING AFTER FIRES

Whether you’re a tourist searching for a place to play before your trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park or a local resident seeking to explore more North County courses, Eagle Crest Golf Club is an ideal experience.

Located just east of Escondido, Eagle Crest is a par-72 track playing 6,417 yards from the tips. A wildlife preserve winds through the course and creates a relaxing natural atmosphere, and even the occasional eagle flies overhead.

Like other courses in the San Diego area, Eagle Crest was affected by the wildfires in October last year. A bridge between the 11th and 12th holes burnt down, but it has since been reconstructed.

In January, Eagle Crest is offering a special every day of the week. Green fees are $30 from Monday through Thursday, $40 Friday, $60 Saturday, and $50 Sunday. Each of those rates includes range balls and a cart.

For more information: (760) 737-9762 or eaglecrestgc.com.

AMERICAN IDOL ROCKS RANCHO BERNARDO INN

Since unveiling its new Aragon Ballroom last year, the Rancho Bernardo Inn has been the venue for many memorable events.

Probably the most memorable was when it hosted tryouts for Fox’s American Idol. Hundreds of hopefuls came to the Rancho Bernardo resort last September to try to qualify for the show, which seeks out the top vocal talents each season.

Not only will the audition taping likely generate plenty of publicity for the Inn when it airs early this year, but resort staff can take heart in the fact that one famous figure from the show was thrilled with the property.

“Simon [Cowell] was supposed to stay at his hotel downtown but liked it here so much that he decided to stay,” said JC Resorts director of marketing Tracee Cahill.

Rancho Bernardo Inn will be offering special discounts after the audition taping is shown.

For more information: (877) 517-9340 or ranchobernardoinn.com.

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