2008 U.S. Open
Course: Municipal, 36 holes, both par 72
Architect: William F. Bell with Redesign by Rees Jones
Founded: 1956
Location: La Jolla, CA
Web Site: http://www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com/
Date Last Played: Summer of 2006
Score: I know I broke 80.
Course: Municipal, 36 holes, both par 72
Architect: William F. Bell with Redesign by Rees Jones
Founded: 1956
Location: La Jolla, CA
Web Site: http://www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com/
Date Last Played: Summer of 2006
Score: I know I broke 80.
"A Tour of Torrey"
In April of 2003, I drove 2,430 miles nonstop from Brooksville, Florida to San Diego, California for one reason and one reason only. Now, this story would be much more poignant if I did that to play Torrey, but that is not why I clocked all those miles behind the wheel of my beloved green Jeep (which was lost in the great flood of 2008 in Canfield, OH). The real reason for the drive was to move closer to my then girlfriend, soon to be fiance', and now wife, Jana.
Living in San Diego had many benefits other than countless sunny days and endless beaches. San Diego is home to wonderful collection of beautiful golf courses, the likes of which could rival any area in the nation. Courses such as La Jolla CC, Del Mar CC, Aviara, Rancho Santa Fe GC, Fairbanks CC, and The Bridges to name a few. Although most of these are private clubs that may be difficult to access, where there is a will there is a way and many of these are worth a lot of "will".
One course that may be just as hard to get onto as any private club is the South Course at Torrey Pines. Torrey Pines is a municipal golf course that is located on the Torrey Pines Mesa in La Jolla, CA. It actually lies on the original grounds of Camp Callan, a military training site used from 1941-1945 to prepare troops for World War II. In 1956, 100 acres of the Torrey Pines Mesa was set aside in order for two municipal golf course to be built. The courses designer, William F. Bell Sr., died before construction began, but his son William Jr. looked over the project to ensure his father's vision was carried out properly.
In 1999 Torrey Pines took on something that many people and things go through in California, a face lift. The City of San Diego put into place a 5 year strategic plan to improve the quality of the course in order to draw a better field for the Buick Invitational and with hopes of attracting a major. Renowned architect Rees Jones was hired to oversee the renovations. Two of his major changes included the moving of four green structures and adding ten new tee boxes to lengthen the course from 7000 yards to 7600 (note: this course is at sea level...it's long). One interesting thing I remember about this renovation was that the city purchased sod from the club I was working at to be used on the South Course. More than likely it was placed somewhere far off in the rough...which is where Tiger hit many of his great shots from....hmmm.
While living in San Diego, I managed to find the time to play the South Course twice. Being a municipal golf course that I estimate does about 1.2 million rounds a year, the big joke about Torrey was that this is the one course where you didn't want to "keep your head down". Due to high traffic, the conditions were normally poor and the rounds long. On a positive note, this did give you plenty of time to take in the spectacular Pacific views. On the way to the course for my first time my expectations were very low. I was anticipating a course that resembled the ones I played during my adolescent days. Ones that more resembled cow pastures than golf courses. I can't tell you how wrong I was.
The South Course's conditions were surprisingly good. The fairways were manicured, bunkers well maintained, and the greens rolled nicely. I could easily see that with some good R & R this course could be easily elevated to a "tour quality" level. My first round was played with my father and two other PGA Professionals who were visiting from Connecticut. I don't recall the score that day, but I am pretty sure Torrey won this battle. My second time around was better. More than likely my performance was elevated due to the fact that we "tipped it out" playing the full 7600 yards...at sea level. As you most commonly hear at the billiards table, "That's a lot of green".
Although every hole at Torrey has it's greatness, there are three that stand out in my mind. The 3rd hole is widely considered the "signature hole" on the south course and rightfully so . From the back of the back tee box, you cannot see the green nor the flag. Let's just say it is a little difficult to pull the trigger on a 200 yard, one shot hole when all you are looking at is the Pacific (notice Tiger is at the front of the tee and you can barely see the top of the flagstick).
The other two holes are the 13th and 14th. Watching the Open in 2008, I was in awe of how large the 13th green looked on television. In person one would be second guessing if they were going to be able to find this severely elevated, well bunkered green in regulation from any yardage (let alone knocking it on in two with an iron and then draining it from 70 feet for eagle in a U.S. Open...thanks Tiger). Follow that hole up with a short little par 4 (435 yards) with a green that is so close to the edge of a cliff that it will more than likely need replaced if the area is hit by any big tremors. I'm surprised the City of San Diego hasn't erected fencing behind the 14th green to protect people from falling to a rocky demise.
Sadly the South Course will more than likely not be remember as a great course that hosted the U.S. Open, but as a course that played host to U.S. Open greatness. If you are in San Diego, and you have a free 6 hours, I highly recommend taking a "Tour of Torrey" as this facility is not only a place where U.S. Open history was made, but is also an amazing U.S. Open Venue that is open to the public.
Fairways and Greens,
Joe
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