 |
|
|
||
|
        |
 |
 |
|
And the United States Golf Association agreed -- so much that Torrey Pines South has been selected for the 2008 U.S. Open, scheduled for June 12-15 of that year. Torrey Pines becomes the second municipal golf course to host the U.S. Open, which was played in 2002 on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y. Tiger Woods holds the South Course record of 62. He recorded it in the 1999 Buick Invitational, which he won, but that was prior to the Jones makeover. It might be a long time before anyone erases that mark. Some of the changes? Start on No. 1, a 452-yard par 4 where a bunker was added just at the length where the big boys hit them today. The ninth was lengthened from 540 yards to 610 and No. 14, formerly 390 is now 440. You get the idea. More length, more bunkers, higher rough, tougher putting surface targets with contours, greens moved to edges of bluffs.
And even though length was added from 515 to 571 at the par-5 No. 18, Jones didn't change the famous water fronting the green called Devlin's Billabong. It was during the 1975 Andy Williams San Diego Open that Bruce Devlin came to the last hole in contention and his approach nestled halfway submerged in the water. It took him six swings to get the ball on the green and a plaque commemorates this ultimate boo-boo. It's the only water hole of the 36 at Torrey Pines. Is your ego shattered after being humbled by the South Course? Then the 6,874-yard North Course, a par-72, might just heal that bruised feeling. Possibly the best thing about the North Course is being paired with locals who have been playing the course for years. They can tell you countless stories, including the one about Camp Callan, a military training site that occupied this vast mesa and once tested mortars where you are firing golf shots. Look closely in the formations of the ravines and you can still see the scars left by the mortars. You also will hear stories of a possible star of the future on the PGA Tour, Pat Perez, who once worked in the cart barn. And Billy Casper, Gene Littler and Scott Simpson all honed their skills here. Keep those cameras ready for the North's signature hole No. 12. It's a sensational downhill par-3 of 174 for the mortals with sweeping views of the Pacific and La Jolla. A renovation of the greens is scheduled for the North Course, where Mark Brooks owns the course record of 61. More than $950,000 will be spent in late 2003 and the clubhouse could get a $1.5-million facelift some time in the future. Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course
North and South Courses Green Fees: City residents with an annual ID card can play for $12, but then the formula for rates gets trickier. Locals play for less, visitors for more. Visitors can pay from $175 to $195 for the South and $140 to $150 for the North. Call for details. The Lodge at Torrey Pines has 20 tee times per day. Call for packages.
Where to stay: See separate sidebar on The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The Lodge Golf Packages Weekday Signature packages start as low as $549 per night, one night stay, one round of San Diego golf, complimentary parking, club storage and cleaning. The Partner package includes one night signature accommodations, two round of San Diego golf, comp parking, club storage and cleaning for $729 per night. Log on to the website for weekend package rates.
Where to Dine at The Lodge: The Lodge's signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien, was named one of America's Best New Restaurants in the November issue of Esquire Magazine. Chef Jeff Jackson was formerly at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Try the hot smoked salmon with mashed potatoes seasoned with buttermilk and chives. After your first round of golf don't miss lunch at The Grill, the more casual dining choice. Try the fish tacos, a California favorite. Things to do: From The Lodge and the golf courses you are within walking distance or
a short drive to the Torrey Pines State Reserve, one of San Diego's most
visited natural attractions. It has miles of trails through the rare Torrey
Pines forest, sandstone The cities of La Jolla and Del Mar provide excellent shopping opportunities and the Del Mar Racetrack is minutes away. Twenty minutes down I-5 in San Diego is the Gaslamp District, Old Town, Sea World and Balboa Park. The cities of La Jolla and Del Mar provide excellent shopping opportunities and the Del Mar Racetrack is minutes away. Twenty minutes down I-5 in San Diego is the Gaslamp District, Old Town, Sea World and Balboa Park. The world famous San Diego Zoo, featuring "Polar Bear Plunge" and "Hippo Beach" exhibits, is a must for all visitors. Located in a 1,000-acre tropical garden known as Balboa Park. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (619) 234-3153 or log on to www.sandiegozoo.com. Course Reviews
FeatureRAVE OF THE DAY,
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
© Copyright 1997-2009, WorldGolf.com, LLC. For questions, comments or suggestions on any of our network publications, Contact Us! |
Torrey
Pines:
The
bunker count went from 44 to a bodacious 72. Some greens were uplifted,
creating some top-hat designs that serve as tiny targets -- miss and watch
your ball trundle downward into deep, difficult traps. Not enough to challenge
you? Just try finding your ball in the deep, thick rough.
And
if you think the course is tough during the Buick Invitational, held during
the rainy season, Chris Wood, golf services coordinator at The Lodge at
Torrey Pines, said summertime conditions for the U.S. Open will be an
even stronger test. "Conditions in June should be firmer, drier and
faster and holding these greens should be a tough test," he said.
Torrey
Pines North Course
