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 San Luis Rey Downs Golf and Country Club, a Bell course that opened in 1963, may not have the name recognition of Torrey Pines or Bermuda Dunes, but it still merits an esteemed place in the architect's portfolio. "It's an old, traditional-type golf course," said PGA director of golf and general manager Greg Milligan, who has worked at the facility since 1981. "You can hit it in the fairway and still have to shape a shot to get it on the green." Among the other factors that make San Luis Rey Downs an intriguing destination are the 28-room resort and The Downs Sports Bar & Grill, giving golfers the option to dine and spend the night either before or after a round. "We're a mid-priced resort. It's a great value to get away for a couple of days," Milligan said. In addition to a few water hazards and deceptively slick greens, golfers must contend with fairway angles and stately trees that can make short-iron approaches more complex. The par-4 17th hole, which measures 427 yards from the tips, features a severe bend to the left and the San Luis Rey River guarding the front of the green. It might seem necessary to hit driver, but any shot ending on the right side of the fairway after the dogleg will be hindered by trees. Unless you're able to hit a long draw off the tee, don't feel pressured to hit the ball a long way to make the best score. The meat of the 6,750-yard layout is in the par-3 holes. All five measure at least 176 yards, including the 16th, which stretches a hearty 230 from the tips. If you're able to avoid the numerous trees lining the fairways, playing at San Luis Rey Downs is a tranquil experience. The quaint houses in the community of Bonsall can be seen from many holes, but the structures don't impose on the character of the course. Another relaxing element is the track's terrain. "It's an easy walking golf course. There's not a lot of distance between holes, and it's very flat," Milligan said. One of the most interesting parts of San Luis Rey Downs is the railroad car between the 15th and 16th holes. Once used as a snack bar, it also was the former home of San Gabriel native and CBS broadcaster Gary McCord for a brief period during the mid-1980s. McCord's 64 is still the course record. "It was a joke more than anything else. He was basically hanging out here anyway, so he might as well live here," Milligan said. While patrons can't sleep on the course like McCord, there is still the resort. Located behind the ninth hole, it includes a pool, spa and tennis courts. Those amenities are complemented by The Downs, which serves as a prime spot for watching major sporting events. Green fees are $34 to walk and $44 to ride on weekdays, increasing to $64 with a cart on weekends. Midweek stay-and-play packages are available beginning at $95 per day, based on double-occupancy, see the San Luis Rey Downs advertisement in this issue. For more information, call (800) 783-6967 or visit slrd.com. |
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