TORREY PINES

By Neville Leck Last updated: 26th January 2010

Torrey Pines South, the cliff-top course where this week's Farmers Insurance Open will climax, opened for play in 1957 and has since become one of the world's most famous municipal golfing facilties.

In 2008 it was the stage for Tiger Woods' dramatic victory in the US Open.

Spectacular and challenging, both the South and North 18-hole championship layouts at this two-course set-up on the outskirts of San Diego in Southern California, are the work of legendary golf course designer William P Bell and were completed by his son William F Bell.

Both courses, which are to come into play this year, test a player's skill with tight fairways, lush rough, pine trees, bunkers, sand and often challenging weather conditions.

Fog, rain and wind often sweep in on these seaside layouts, testing even the most seasoned player's skills.

The complex takes its name from the indigenous Torrey Pine which is native to the area and to Santa Rosa Island. The tree is distinguished by having clusters of five pine needles.

On the South Course, there are many holes that look directly onto the Pacific Ocean which lies a hundred yards below the links, and several more with views of a huge natural canyon.

The North Course offers several holes that are situated high atop the bluffs overlooking the coastline.

With the massive advancement of golfing equipment and player power, the internationally renowned golf course designer Rees Jones was called in and given the task of remodelling the South Course.

His efforts have been universally acclaimed and the course, which now measures 7,569 yards in length off the back tees, stood up to the test when Woods scored his famous US Open win there in 2008 after beating Rocco Mediate.

Torrey Pines remains a municipal facility, however, and along with the Balboa Park Golf Course and the Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center, is owned and maintained by the City of San Diego and open to the public, who can play either as registered citizens of the city or as visitors.

HOLE BY HOLE

To get different aspects of the 18 holes of the South Course, including walk-through and flyover videos, you can go to the site set up by the USGA for the US Open last year by clicking here

OTHER FACILITIES

In addition to the North and South courses, facilities include:
- A highly professional driving range and practice putting greens where group and individual golf lessons are offered by qualified professional teachers.
- On-course food and beverage carts and a restaurant/grill at the Lodge at Torrey Pines which is adjacent to the golf course.
- One of the largest golf shops in the western United States , offering a full range of golf merchandise and the rental of golf shoes, clubs and hand and power golf carts.

RECENT AWARDS

The numerous awards received by Torrey Pines is clear evidence of its high rating among the golfing people that count.

They include:
- Golf Links Magazine's selection as one of the "Must Play" courses in the world
- Golfweek Magazine's "America's Best Public-Access Courses" for California, 2006
- Golf Digest Magazine's "America's 100 Greatest Public-Access Golf Courses", 2005-2006
- Golf Digest Magazine's "Top Rated Golf Courses for California", 2005-2006
- Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses in the U.S.", 2005
- Golfweek Magazine's "America's Best Public-Access Courses for California", 2005
- Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Public-Access Golf Courses in America", 2004
- Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses in the U.S.", 2003
- Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Public-Access Courses", 2002
- Travel + Leisure Magazine: "Rare Beauties, Nice Prices"
- Golf Magazine's "America's Best Courses for $100 or Less", 2002
- Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Public-Access Courses", 2000
- Golf Magazine's "Top 500 Holes in the World", 2000 (Hole 12, Par 4)

GREEN FEES

SOUTH COURSE Green Fees (Mon- Thurs)
18-Hole $58.00 for residents (R) $174.00 for visitors (V)
18-Hole Senior (62 and over) $41.00
Twilight rounds (after 2pm) $35.00 (R); $104.00 (V)

SOUTH COURSE Green Fees (Fri- Sun and holidays)
18-Hole $73.00 (R), $218.00(V)
Twilight $44.00 (R)$131.00 (V)

NORTH COURSE Green Fees (Mon- Thurs)
18-Hole $38.00 (R) $95.00 (V)
18-Hole Senior (62 and over) $27.00 N/A
Twilight $23.00 (R) $57.00 (V)

NORTH COURSE Green Fees - (Fri- Sun and holidays)
18-Hole $48.00 (R) $119.00 (V)
Twilight $29.00 (R) $71.00 (V)

RESERVATIONS

Reservations can be made from between 8 to 90 days in advance (based on availability). Telephone: (877) 581-7171, select Option 6

Note: At the time of reservation Non-Residents will pay a non-refundable booking fee of $37 per player. Residents will pay a non-refundable booking fee of $26 per player. This fee is in addition to green fees, non-refundable and is collected at the time of reservation. Players will pay their green fees, on the day of play, to the starter and applicable Golf Cart fees to the Golf Shop.

For further information on reservations, go to the Torrey Pines website by clicking here

Walk-on Waiting List

Torrey Pines do not accept reservations prior to 7:30am so every tee time from sun-up to 7:30 am is offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

Please note that Tournaments and course closures affect the availability of tee times.

Neville Leck