57744 Round Lake Rd Bandon, OR 97411-6360 Phone: (541) 347-4380 or (888) 345-6008 Website:www.bandondunes.com
The sister course of Bandon Dunes on the Southern Oregon Coast, Pacific Dunes took the golfing scene by storm with its opening in 2001. In many critics' eyes, it has even surpassed the much-acclaimed Bandon Dunes course, and may be the only course in the U.S. that plays like the true "links" courses of Great Britain & Ireland (right down to the gorse-covered dunes). The cliffside holes like #4, #11 and #13 get most of the acclaim (and rightly so), but it is the unique and quirky features like the 6th green, the alternating 9th greens, the right-greenside bunker at #18, and the central fairway bunkering at #2-3 that really give Pacific Dunes its character.
CordeValle Golf Club
1 Cordevalle Club Dr San Martin, CA 95046-9472 Phone: (408) 695-4590 Website:www.cordevalle.com
CordeValle Golf Club is situated on 270 acres of gently rolling terrain in a pastoral valley just 30 minutes from San Jose. Course designer Robert Trent Jones, Jr. utilized the natural elevation changes of the property's peaks and canyons, with his design further enhanced by broad meadows, streams, striking sycamore and mature California oak trees. It all makes for a tour quality golf course - the adjacent lodging and dining facilities at the resort complete the picture.
Stevinson Ranch Golf Club
2700 Van Clief Rd Stevinson, CA 95374-9619 Phone: (209) 668-8200 or (877) 752-9276 Website:www.stevinsonranch.com
Rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest (second to only Pebble Beach in California) Stevinson Ranch is dedicated to maintaining PGA Tour-quality greens, and overall conditioning which matches even the best private clubs. The layout is tough but fair, and be wary of the finishing holes (15-18) which make 'closing the deal' no easy task! Founder George Kelley has won the Claremont CC (Oakland) Club Championship 6 times and played on the Australasian Tour before becoming reinstated as an amateur.
Perennially rated as one of the top courses in Southern California, Aviara is known not only for its meticulous course conditions, but for the gorgeous floral landscaping that frames many holes. The Arnold Palmer-designed layout starts out at sea level and climbs towards the adjacent Four Seasons Resort, and then back down with some tempting holes, like the Par-5 eighth, which is very reachable for longer players, but not before having second (and third) thoughts about the boulders and water hazard that surround the green. The 18th, with views of the Batiquitos Lagoon, is one of the best closers in Southern California.
Torrey Pines Golf Club - South Course
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037-1045 Phone: (858) 452-3226 or (800) 985-4653 Website:www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com
The South Course has always been one of the best public golf experiences in the U.S., with sweeping ocean vistas and a great layout. But in 2002 Rees Jones worked his magic in redesigning the layout as plans for hosting the 2008 U.S. Open unfolded. Now 'The South' has a place alongside Bethpage Black and a certain "new breed" of public course that can play host to golf's most important championship.
Southeast