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 The county’s newest course, which opened this month, rests amid the rolling foothills of north San Diego County in the burgeoning community of Valley Center. Orchards and more than 100 acres of open space surround the property. Though the course is the centerpiece of a 270-residence gated community, “the homes don’t infringe on us,” head pro Paul Miernicki said. “It’s just beautiful and quiet out here with a really relaxed, country feel with no freeways nearby.” Making the 6,505-yard course interesting from a playability standpoint are the starkly different nines. The front is more links-style; the back nine more reminiscent of an East Coast course, with tree-lined fairways and holes cut through stands of oaks. Though the nines are much different, both place a premium on accuracy. You don’t have to blast every drive 300 yards, but if your balls are flying all over the place, you’ll find trouble. “We’re not pretending to be some 8,000-yard monster,” Miernicki said. “We’re kind of a throwback to classic, traditional courses where, if you hit it straight and where you need to, you’ll be all right. But it’s very easy to get a double on just about any of our holes. You have to shape shots and have control of ball flight because there is a lot of water and native grasses bordering the fairway. So, even though we’re not the longest, you’re not going to tear us up.” The 324-yard, par-4 seventh hole is the epitome of risk-reward. Long hitters who decide to go for it must clear a lateral hazard of about 280 yards near the front of the green. Even if that’s accomplished, mounds between the fairway and putting surface can wreak havoc, with the right bounce propelling the ball onto the green, or the wrong bounce knocking it off course. The back nine is shorter than the front, but the spectacular scenery more than compensates, with clusters of oak trees imbuing the property with an eerie atmosphere at times. The stretch between the 14th and 16th holes is the most dramatic. Highlights include the 425-yard, par-4 14th, a sharply bent dogleg right that demands an accurate tee shot, and the 325-yard 15th, which sounds reachable for big hitters but is compromised by an elevated tee box with long oak branches obscuring a full view of the green. “It’s truly a getaway golf experience,” said Tom Frost of Tom Frost Golf, Inc., which is managing the golf course. “It has a rural feel, it’s quiet and very scenic.” The course’s manageable length and generously open fairways make it kind to all golfers, but it’s particularly kind to locals who enjoy discounted rates with savings of up to $15 a round. |
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