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 Architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest have worked on dozens of projects in more than 30 states and diverse international locales spanning the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. But rarely can the duo say they’ve manufactured a course that has been 10,000 years in the making. That timeframe is billed as one of the most appealing aspects of Journey at Pechanga, Southern California’s newest 18-hole course that opens to the public this month. The scenic Temecula track is located off the 15 freeway at Pechanga, the largest gaming resort in the state, and has already been gaining significant buzz. “I’ve never worked a site quite like this one,” Forrest said, referencing the natural setting of Journey amidst the extensive history of the land itself. From the stately oak trees that adorn the layout to the straw “kiicha” huts visible on a few holes of the back nine, cultural traces of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians serve as reminders of how much has transpired on soil that now holds a golf course. “Because it all took shape on Native American land, everything was done with extreme environmental and cultural sensitivity, so holes were carefully routed,” said Forrest, who has stressed environmentalism as one of his key platforms since he began his one-year term as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in April. Because the layout is constructed on the side of a mountain above the Temecula Valley, Forrest and Hills took advantage of the natural elevation changes to build holes that could be enjoyed without having to worry about walking steep terrain. One of those dramatic tests is the par-4 sixth hole, which drops almost 200 feet from the back tees to the fairway. Named View Place, it stretches back to 488 yards from the tips and begs players to hit driver, if only to see how long the ball can stay in the air before hitting a fairway that has a backboard on the right side that funnels balls down toward the green.
“The hang time there is stupendous,” Forrest said. “If you hit it just right, you can almost drive the green, thanks to the speed slot we created on one side of the landing zone.” The tee boxes on the par-3 17th are also elevated above the resort’s pinnacle. All told, the course rises and drops about 300 feet over 18 holes. “You just don’t see these types of elevation changes at any other course in Southern California,” said PGA head professional Scott Mallory. “All of us have never really had a chance to get back into these hills and see what beautiful views and vistas we have. You’re able to get a true sense of the Temecula Valley and how much it’s grown.” While houses have popped up at a high rate, no structures border any of the holes. What also makes a round at Journey tranquil is that almost all of the holes are separated from one another, promoting an aura of isolated relaxation. Yet the layout is anything but sleepy. With 7,219 yards of golf real estate to cover from the back tees and a 74.8 rating, the course is a stern challenge for expert players. Other elements that demand attention include forced carries (many of which are born from the meandering dry wash of the Pechanga River), lakes on hole Nos. 5 and 15 and the sometimes treacherous undulations on the T1 bentgrass greens (a new strain that still rolls true and is more tolerant to a variety of weather conditions). But five sets of tees on the par-72 track make it manageable for a golfer of any skill — a quality supported by the course’s representative, a pretty good stick in his own right. “It’s challenging for the really good players, but everybody can have fun,” said PGA Tour veteran Corey Pavin, who recently signed on as Journey’s touring professional.  With the uncertain status of the economy, new golf courses are becoming rarer, but there are a few traits that point to Journey at Pechanga having staying power at such a difficult time. It’s a resort course at one of the most charismatic gaming spots in Southern California, so the emphasis is on the quality of experience for patrons and not as much on the quantity of rounds day in and day out — as evidenced by the 12-minute gap between tee times. “We don’t want people to have to worry about going really fast,” Mallory said. “We want them to come out and go through the experience.” Mallory also praised the course conditions, saying Journey has “one of the finest playing surfaces I’ve ever been associated with.” Plus, the amenities at Journey are top-notch. Players can navigate the course in a new Yamaha cart that features a comprehensive GPS system (with tips from Pavin), and solid fare can be found at Journey A La Carte before, during or after a round.  A 62,000-square-foot clubhouse will be unveiled in November, but until then, Journey at Pechanga is in its soft opening phase, and the public is invited to make tee times. Green fees Monday-Thursday are $150, and Fridays, weekends and holidays run $200. If your luck isn’t strong on the course, just remember that the casino is only a short walk away. |
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