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 Desert
Golf Goes West
By Gail A.
Paparian
If you are in the desert, whether it is Palm
Desert or Phoenix or Tucson, and your score matches the temperature, it
is definitely time for you to go west. If you can be tempted by a near
perfect number (that’s 72, your score or the temperature); a wealth of
challenging golf courses; infinite choices for sumptuous dining;
world-renowned spa facilities… pack your clubs and head for North San
Diego County. The choices abound!
In addition to golfing, dining and spaing, you
can: visit the animals (San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World for
starters); tour and sip your way through local vineyards, walk the
beaches or shop til you tire. For your pleasure, here is a brief tour
for those of you in need of a change of pace and a change of weather.
Pack a sweater and a wind shirt. You will need them. There is no
particular order. Here we go.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT - AVIARA
(North San Diego)
If there are no strings hampering your purse, head
immediately for the Four Seasons Resort-Aviara, located in Carlsbad,
CA-- the only resort in San Diego receiving the coveted 5-diamond
status. Located high above the village of Carlsbad, the Four Seasons
Resort- Aviara is located on 200 magnificently landscaped acres
presenting breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Batiquitos
Lagoon.
The Aviara golf course brings new meaning to
"fabulous" and is the only Arnold Palmer designed course in
the San Diego area. Played from the back tees, the par 72, 18-hole
championship course measures out at 7,007 yards, and an appropriate 137
slope. Three other sets of tees shorten the course to 5,007 and a
deceivingly low 119 slope.
Playing the course will challenge all of your golf
skills. The natural beauty of the course often caught me in the throes
of choosing a club or opting for the wide-angle lens on my camera.
From the first hole through the eighteenth, the
fairways are plush, the greens putt true, and the views and vistas rival
any course in the area. The course is adjacent to the Batiquitos Lagoon,
haven to more than 130 species of shorebirds and waterfowl. Nearly ten
years in the making, great care was taken to preserve the integrity of
the environmentally significant wetlands.
Each hole is distinctive with most fairways being
generous to accommodate the occasional errant shot. A feast to the
senses, you will see natural vegetation, native flowers as well as
waterfalls and streams. The par 3’s are playing and visual standouts,
particularly holes 3, 11 and 14. Whatever the yardage says on the par 3
6th, take more club, as the hole plays straight up hill.
Miscue, and the ball runs severely down. Make good use of the yardage
book. It is accurate.
There is a putting green, driving range and
pitching green. The 32,000 square-foot Spanish colonial clubhouse is
home to men’s and women’s locker facilities, an award- winning pro
shop, and the Argyle restaurant and lounge. For the dedicated and
determined golfers, arrangements can be made at the Kip Puterbaugh
Aviara Golf academy for sessions ranging from half-day clinics to
three-day golf school.
If you stay at the resort, you will get to choose
between 329- rooms, each with a private balcony. Five dining venues will
dazzle your palette, including the AAA Four-Diamond Vivace, the
Resort’s signature restaurant. The California Bistro serves
breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the Ocean Pool Bar & Grill
offers lunch and cocktails poolside.
Guests may partake of the spa, exercise
facilities, tennis center and swimming pools. The new "Tranquility
Pool" - provides just that… tranquility plus panoramic views of
the Pacific Ocean and the Batiquitos Lagoon.
Green fees range from $175-195 per round. Golf and
relaxation packages are available throughout the year. For information
or reservations, call 800/332-3442 or www.fourseasons.com.
LA COSTA Resort & Spa
(Carlsbad)
The La Costa Resort & Spa has long been
recognized as a premier golf, tennis, spa and dining destination.
Weaving through 400 acres of coastal foothills in Carlsbad, La Costa has
something for everybody. The variety of packages offered at La Costa
provides ample opportunities to satisfy your recreational needs. For
example, you may choose from "Legendary Golf and Spa Package,"
"For Golfers Only," "Tennis Getaway," and many more.
For golfers, La Costa presents a formidable venue
of two famous and outstanding 18-hole championship courses. For 30
years, La Costa was home to the PGA TOUR’S Tournament of Champions. In
1999, La Costa was selected as the site of the World Golf Championships-
Accenture Match Play Championship. The tourney was played at La Costa
again in 2000, and returns in 2002.
You can play the course that challenges the top 64
players in the world! The match play event is played on the original 18
holes as designed by noted course architect, Dick Wilson. The tournament
course consists of holes 1,2,3 and 13-18 of the North Course. The entire
back nine of the South Course is used for the tournament. The finishing
four holes are known as "the longest mile in golf." If you are
play both the North and South Courses, keep notes!
The back tees on the North course stretch out to
7,021 yards to a 137 slope. The forward red tees at 5,939 show the
course’s difficulty rating with a 137 slope as well. The South Course
plays to 7,004 from the Gold Tees (138 slope) and 5,612 from the front
(134 slope). Two more sets of tees (white and blue) round out the course
choices.
Everything comes into play at La Costa: there’s
water, plentiful amounts of sand, a wind that can whip up off the
Pacific Ocean at any time, and prodigious rough. Landing in the rough
almost guarantees you losing at least one stroke to your game.
The fairways are plush and bouncy. The greens are
true and believe what you see…. which can be as many as three
different breaks! Landing in La Costa’s plentiful bunkers will improve
your sand game, or ruin your disposition, or both!
I must point out that there is a downside to
playing La Costa if you cannot or choose not to do a great deal of
walking. While carts are available, they must be kept on cart paths at
all times! This means that you can do a great deal of walking during
your round, particularly if your shots wind up on the opposite side from
the cart paths.
Towards the end of a round, golfers have been
known to hone their skills by playing ‘target’ golf - - the target
being the closest shot to the cart path! Driving range, putting green
and practice bunkers are available. Any level golf player can hone their
skills and improve their game with instruction available from PGA
instructors at the La Costa Golf School.
If the spa is your game, choices are plentiful at
the La Costa Spa. You can experience Shiatsu, body scrubs, facials,
pedicures, mud wraps, massage, saunas or nutrition counseling to name a
few. There are three dining venues and the renowned spa cuisine is
available at each of La Costa’s restaurants. For package information,
call 800/854-5000, www.lacosta.com.
THE MEADOWS DEL MAR
(San Diego)
Located in the Del Mar area, close to San Diego
and La Jolla, Meadows Del Mar is a treasure. Many consider Tom Fazio a
golf course architect. He is that and more. He is an artist. In his own
words. "Great environments make for great golf courses. At the
Meadows Del Mar Golf Club, the variety of low and high meadows, hillside
and valleys will rival the best golf on the West Coast." Yes, sir,
Mr. Fazio, you got that part right!
The course rises, falls and meanders through this
unique, challenging and visually magnificent golf creation. A
kaleidoscope of California Poppy, Coastal sage, Mustard and wild flowers
present a magnificent, living picture. The cart paths, not visible from
the course, take you through this environmentally sensitive canvas.
The enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff is
evident upon entry to the club. The course markers (a different color
pole corresponds to the tees) are subtle, yet visible. Nothing
interferes with the golf experience and the golf vistas.
There is little water on the course, but holes 12
(a par 5) and 17 (par 3) in particular will punish you with a less than
accurate shot. Hole 17 will get your attention with the championship
tees at 241, or the front tees at 149. While not on the coast, Pacific
Ocean breezes can alter your club choice by several clubs.
The championship tees measure at 6,885 (134 slope)
to a much shorter forward tees 4,929 (116 slope). There’s plenty of
challenge from the tournament tees 6,353 and the resort tees laid out at
5,821. While I scored some high numbers on holes 12, 13 and 14, the
photo opportunities were wonderful!
The warmth and ambience of Frank Lloyd Wright
inspired clubhouse offers a pro shop and opportunities to dine or enjoy
a beverage while experiencing the magnificent views of the excellent
course. A resort is in the planning stages. Green fees run between
$110-160. Information and tee times, toll free at 877/530-0636, www.meadowsdelmar.com.
MADERAS GOLF CLUB
(Poway)
Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves used the
rolling hills of Poway to create a visual and golfing masterpiece. The
course rises and falls 200 vertical feet during the course of play. You
play through dry creek beds and off hillsides as you work your way
through this amazingly designed course. Over 40 acres of native
wildflowers provide natural color for 10 months of the year. Waterfalls
were created, as were lakes and the use of native wildflowers as the
course wends its way through some of the most incredible views of the
inland hills of north San Diego County.
Maderas is the latest addition to the growing
family of upscale golf courses that are part of Troon Golf with 90
courses located in 17 American states, Scotland, Canada, Australia,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan and the Bahamas.
From long hitters to high handicappers, Maderas
offers something for every level of golfer from five sets of
strategically located tees. High risk does not necessarily translate to
high reward. Each hole was designed with trouble! However, each hole has
a bail out area, so strategic planning and smart play will serve you
well at Maderas.
The Black tees can be intimidating at 7,115 (143
slope) and although shorter from the Jade at 5,100, still with a slope
difficulty factor of 128. There are all kinds of opportunities from
three other sets of tees.
While the clubhouse will not be finished until
2002, the dedicated staff works hard to make certain that all visitors
have the opportunity to "Experience Troon Golf." The course
and greens are meticulously maintained and groomed.
Practice areas get you properly warmed up for a
memorable day or golf and the opportunity to experience rare natural
beauty and a difficult, but incredibly playable course. Don’t miss the
opportunity to play Maderas. For information, prices and discounts
available, call the pro shot at 858 726-4653, www.maderasgolf.com.
L’AUBERGE DEL MAR Resort and Spa
If you deserve to be pampered read on. If you seek
refuge from the travails of our fast-paced world, indulge yourself with
a stay at L’AURBERGE DEL MAR. Everything you need or desire is
available at this unique resort, spa, and refuge.
Located in the quaint village of Del Mar, your
stay affords you the luxury of being a block away from one of Southern
California’s most pristine beaches. Distinctive and personalized
service is only the beginning. The stress of the day fades away as you
enter the richly, elegantly appointed lobby. Each of the deluxe rooms
and suites features its own balcony.
Once settled, you may partake of the services
available in a full European spa. Services are available by appointment
only. For other activities, there are tennis courts, heated outdoor
pools, as well as outdoor and indoor fitness centers. Few things can
rejuvenate body and spirit quicker than a massage or facial as
ministered to by any of L’Auberge Del Mar’s resident spa
specialists.
The old Del Mar Hotel attracted an audience of
business and entertainment stars from around the world. In 1989,
L’Auberge Del Mar opened and once again the famed and celebrated
returned to this elegant seaside retreat. Whether it is golf, tennis
shopping, business, a day at the famed Del Mar track, or a bicycle ride
or walk, your visit should begin and end at L’Auberge.
If the day’s activities have left you craving
exquisite cuisine, plan to gratify your palette by allowing enough time
to enjoy the relaxed, yet elegant ambience of J. TAYLOR’S of del mar.
Because you’ve earned it, you might start your
dinner with seared Pacific Scallops with Sweet corn risotto and
lemongrass buerre blanc followed by a local baby green salad with
candied walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette. Think about this
mouth-watering entrée: Grilled Catalina blue fin tuna with fresh Morel
mushrooms and grilled asparagus, herb roasted potato medley, smoke
tomato and saffron cream. Could one still have room for fresh summer
fruit shortcake with peach sabayon and white chocolate curls? Heavens,
yes! Do not miss this dining experience. Please, make reservations!
Take the time to experience a unique
accommodation. Rates vary according to season and availability. For
information or reservations, call 800/553-1336, www.laubergedelmar.com.
PALA MESA RESORT (Fallbrook)
Located in the heart of California’s avocado
country and minutes away from local wineries in Temecula, the Pala Mesa
Resort offers a rustic setting comfortable accommodations and a par 72
golf course that has been one of the finest in San Diego county for
years.
Rated "4 Star" by Golf Digest as one of
the Top 200 Places to Play, this well maintained course’s character is
enhanced with stately oaks, pines, and sycamores. Three sets of tees
provide challenges for every level of golf. Technology comes to enhance
your golf game. Each golf cart is equipped with PAR VIEW, a digital
global positioning devise that acts like an electronic caddy!
Don’t be deceived by the length of some holes.
"Short" does not translate to "easy," so smart club
selection is a must. Fallbrook is known for its avocados and as you
travel up, down and around this tradition par 72 course, you will be
treated to fabulous views, including avocado groves as far as the eye
can see.
Pala Mesa consists of 133 remodeled rooms with
mountain or golf course views. Further features include 4 lighted tennis
courts, heated pool, meeting and banquet facilities, and two excellent
restaurants.
While the Pala Mesa golf course offers a challenge
no matter how many times you play it, management realizes that people
enjoy venturing forth and enjoying other golf facilities. To that end,
Pala Mesa now offers a variety of golf packages, including the
opportunity to play at courses such as Cross Creek, Red Hawk and SCGA
Courses, then return to the Pala Mesa resort. For rates and golf
packages: 800/722-4700, www.palamesa.com.
(originally published in Desert Golf Magazine)
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