Golfing

The Farms Golf Club at Rancho Santa Fe

Built in 1988 in the ruggedly beautiful terrain of Rancho Santa Fe, one of San Diego’s most prestigious communities, The Farms Golf Club, a private, member-owned equity club was created and built for golf enthusiasts…golfers serious in their commitment to the game and its historical traditions. The Club

Built in 1988 in the ruggedly beautiful terrain of Rancho Santa Fe, one of San Diego’s most prestigious communities, The Farms Golf Club, a private, member-owned equity club was created and built for golf enthusiasts…golfers serious in their commitment to the game and its historical traditions. Originally designed by Pete, Perry and Alice Dye with assistance from golfing great, Tommy Jacobs, The Farms golf course was extensively remodeled in 2000 under the guidance of golf course architect John Fought and his associate, PGA tour professional and former Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman. With modifications designed to improve the playability and maintainability of the course, changes included newly reconstructed and re-contoured bent grass putting greens that allow for more undulation and additional hole locations; new teeing areas that are cut nearly as tight as the greens, and bunkering that test a player’s ability to visualize and execute the proper shot; a state-of-the-art irrigation system; and a wonderful practice facility featuring a double-ended driving range, complete with target greens and bunkers. Nestled amidst gently rolling hills and hollows, several additional water features and newly created high rough landscaping add to the course’s beauty and the sense of peaceful seclusion that prevails on this championship course. Overlooking the magnificent golf course is a 38,000-squarefoot clubhouse designed by clubhouse architect Robert Altevers. Thoughtfully planned and beautifully appointed with traditional furnishings, the clubhouse offers majestic views of the golf course in an atmosphere of understated elegance. The panoramic views from the clubhouse are breathtaking; it is almost surreal looking out onto the course and makes one feel as though you are in a golfing wonderland.

With one of the most extraordinary staffs anywhere, the level of service is appreciated by the entire membership and recognized throughout the industry. Their mission is simple: to provide members and their guests with exceptional golf and dining experiences. The Farms offers breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday and a variety of holiday and themed events are also scheduled throughout the year. In addition, Friday casual dinners are scheduled June through August each summer. The membership is limited to 350 regular members, and because the Farms is “exclusively golf,” there are no pools or tennis courts. There is excellent golf course accessibility with fewer than 24,000 golf rounds per year and it offers the opportunity to ride, walk, carry or utilize a caddy. A youthful membership, the club’s average age is 56 with an average golfing index of 12. While members at The Farms are diverse in their interests, occupations and tastes, the common thread of their love for the game is the underlying reason for the Club’s being.

The Course

The Farms golf club offers a great test for all players. With 6 sets of tee markers it plays 6,911 yards from the back set and has a course rating of 73.9 with a 143 slope rating, and 4,593 yards with a 67.7 rating and a 124 slope from the forward set. Possibly one of the most fun, challenging, and thought provoking courses in San Diego, The Farms does not lack character! No matter how many times you play it, it always offers new and unique challenges. The Farms pristine bent grass greens rival the best anywhere, regularly running 11-12 on the stempmeter and with many slightly elevated or raised greens a shot missed on the short side will leave you with a very delicate shot for an up and down. The undulating and rolling Bermuda fairways play firm and fast, they are surrounded by Pennisetum grasses and Acacia plants along with multiple groves of California Pepper and Red Gum Eucalyptus trees, and along with the slight ocean breeze will require plenty of accuracy off the tee to set up your approach or second shot. The strategically placed bunkers are sculpted perfectly by John Fought, and they are as beautiful as they are intimidating.

There are also various lakes and a river that meanders through the course which come into play on at least 8 of the holes. Suffice it to say; in order to play well at The Farms, most parts of your game should be in tact. You will need great course management, an excellent short game with a deft hand on the greens, accurate drives, precise iron shots, a vivid imagination, and plenty of creativity. And if you don’t have that now, you will learn it by playing here! Thus whether it is the multiple hazards or just the picturesque beauty, you will never tire of playing here again and again.

Hole #17

There are so many great holes at The Farms it makes it difficult to choose just one.

However the 17th is a spectacular hole and probably one of the most challenging, even to the best of players. The #2 handicap hole on the course, it is a par 4 playing 471 from the back markers. It generally plays into a prevailing ocean breeze from the west, it is a slight dog leg right, plays slightly downhill, and has a bunker on the right side of the fairway approximately 170 yards from the green. After the bunker on the right side, there is large grove of eucalyptus trees looming just to the right of the fairway, then 3 small ponds trail down the right side of the fairway towards the green. At the green there is another small lake guarding the entire right side of the green, and a bunker to the left of the green and a bunker back left. To make this hole even tougher, if your drive ends up on the right side of the fairway, the eucalyptus trees will prevent a straight shot to the green and you are and onto the green. The cut shot or fade may sound simple enough; however with water looming everywhere to the right, and bunkers left and back left, and into a slight breeze, this shot is not easy! If you don’t cut it, and end up in one of the greenside bunkers, you’re then faced with a tough bunker shot with water threatening just behind the green.

Thus the hole requires a very precise and long tee shot, ideally down the left center of the fairway. You would then have a straight line to the green from this position. The next shot although straight will require accuracy and probably some length just to get on the green. If need be, a safe lay-up can be found short left of the green and with a good pitch you may save a par. And a par on this hole is a great score, especially if you are trying to hold a round together or just got pressed by your opponent! It may even win the skin more times than not!

Estate Home Showcase

LIVE LIFE ON THE GOLF COURSE AT

RANCHO SANTA FE FARMS

Enjoy incredible views of multiple golf holes and the lake from this gorgeous single level

fairway home in this coveted community. When you enter through the beveled glass entry onto a stunningly designed marble floor relief, you’ll immediately appreciate the fine detailing of this custom home; custom skylights with stained glass, custom cabinets and extra storage in garage, sound system throughout with control panels in every room, surround sound in the family room, cedar lined closets in every room, and central vacuum and intercom throughout. Gorgeous travertine floors and hand carved limestone mantels in the family room and living room add grace and style to this beautifully designed masterpiece. There are custom wood shutters in the family room and master bedroom and bathroom. French doors open from the elegant dining room, living room, master bedroom, and family room onto a fabulously landscaped travertine patio, making this home perfect for indoor and outdoor entertaining. Also included is a top of the line pool/spa system to make your swimming experience fabulous. The gourmet kitchen is a cook’s dream, featuring Dacor appliances, bake center, island bar, and lovely granite counters and cherry wood cabinetry. Enjoy wonderful views from the spacious master suite beautifully finished with an Italian marble fireplace, gorgeous master bathroom with granite slab steam shower and two shower heads. Specialized custom lighting throughout the home will highlight your artwork. And enjoy your coffee in a fabulous breakfast room overlooking the golf course. With the combination of creative custom design and the spectacularly lush setting, this home is a uniquely stunning opportunity! The home boasts 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5,100 square feet and is currently offered at $2,895,000.* sdp

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