Rees Jones Exorcism | Torrey Pines

[Drew Maliniak]

If folks could re-design Torrey Pines, how would they do it?


Friend pointed out that 14 at Torrey should be a road hole style, hugging the cliff with a pot bunker right.


For the benefit of the doubt, perhaps that wasn't an option (environmental concerns)--but food for thought.

[Jason Thurman]

I'd really like to understand the specific constraints governing the routing of Torrey Pines. My knowledge currently only amounts to "I believe it was pretty restrictive."


Dreaming of California Kidnappers sounds fun but I'm like 90% sure it wasn't an option.

[Matthew Rose]

I'd kinda like to see a composite course.

[Jaeger Kovich]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

[Kyle Harris]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

Jaeger.

[JohnVDB]

I'd kinda like to see a composite course.

In the early 1979s, the Andy Williams San Diego Open did play a composite course.  They started with what was 1-3 of the North Course (now 10-12j, then played 1-10 and 14-18 of the South.


This made #6 the 9th which finished by the clubhouse meaning it was easier to do split tees.  Also, it left out 11 and 12 which are among the hardest holes.  They said it was because 11-13 were too far away for spectators.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

While I understand the sentiment, I like to see what a wide range of architects can do.

[Brad Lawrence]

A nice shopping mall with plenty of parking would be an improvement.  What a waste of a great piece of property that course is.

[William_G]

get rid of the cart paths

[Jeff_Brauer]

The knock on TP was that it wasn't designed in a "seaside" look. It was standard Bell features on a spectacular site.  Yes, I know that in football, running teams shouldn't get pass happy once they reach the playoffs, but in this case, I think Bell should have thought outside the box.  And, in the redo, Rees was either trying to keep the basic character of the course (as a restorationist probably should) as opposed to creating a new look, and/or (more likely) designed it for USGA sensibilities for the US Open.


While the "new look" of shaggy bunkers, etc. would probably be a better option for TP visually, I think it would take getting out of the US Open rota and a different (probably new) management view as to what the course should look like as a destination resort.  I know it still serves as a local course as well, but how far could they push the image towards a Bandon look?

[Tom_Doak]

Brian Schneider is now the high priest of Rees Jones exorcism, so he should be the man for the job. 


I think it’s right the the original design had to avoid the edges of the canyons, but I believe it was a question of safety and liability, not for any environmental reason.  Undoubtedly, they would find one now, plus any major change would be opposed by the California Coastal Commission, on principle.*


* Their principle being, we are your overlords, and we are going to make you grovel at our feet for a while, before ultimately rejecting your permit.

[Phil Burr]

I’m in agreement with Brad Lawrence on this one except that I don’t even think it’s great property.  Just dull with no subtle movement land and a bunch of cliffs that erode so constantly that you can’t build too close to them.  Playing Torrey in real life is more boring than playing it on my phone app.  The only problem with the mall idea is that given the current state of malls our friends at Shopping Mall Atlas will be having this same debate in five years.

[Don Mahaffey]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

Has Gil found a way to build with smaller budgets?

[Lou_Duran]

I’m in agreement with Brad Lawrence on this one except that I don’t even think it’s great property.  Just dull with no subtle movement land and a bunch of cliffs that erode so constantly that you can’t build too close to them.  Playing Torrey in real life is more boring than playing it on my phone app.  The only problem with the mall idea is that given the current state of malls our friends at Shopping Mall Atlas will be having this same debate in five years.

I've played the South course three times pre and post Rees Jones renovations.  It is definitely a very challenging course and probably too tight in spots for the distance requirements when the wind is blowing.  It can be a long, slow slog, but I've enjoyed myself immensely each time I've been there.  But for the pace of play and the hefty green fee, I could play there regularly.  My game would definitely improve and having the Pacific as a backdrop never gets old.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

Has Gil found a way to build with smaller budgets?

Exhibit no. 1 why this site needs to adopt a thumbs up button.......or at least a like button.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Find 10-20 mil$ and Call Gil 

Has Gil found a way to build with smaller budgets?

Lake Merced GC will be first test case, at least based on past history re budgets.

[Jaeger Kovich]

San Diego just spent $15 mil at Torrey in 2020. They host an annual tour event as well as USGA events... I was just trying to be realistic.


I'm sure Phil and Mike Davis would know the key players too.

[Jon Sweet]

I’m in agreement with Brad Lawrence on this one except that I don’t even think it’s great property.  Just dull with no subtle movement land and a bunch of cliffs that erode so constantly that you can’t build too close to them.  Playing Torrey in real life is more boring than playing it on my phone app.  The only problem with the mall idea is that given the current state of malls our friends at Shopping Mall Atlas will be having this same debate in five years.

I've played the South course three times pre and post Rees Jones renovations.  It is definitely a very challenging course and probably too tight in spots for the distance requirements when the wind is blowing.  It can be a long, slow slog, but I've enjoyed myself immensely each time I've been there.  But for the pace of play and the hefty green fee, I could play there regularly.  My game would definitely improve and having the Pacific as a backdrop never gets old.

Remove the view and setting and you’ve got a blah blah golf course. Wouldn’t break the top 10 in most states. About as uninteresting as they come.

[jeffwarne]

Evidently I'm the only one that wants to play TP south.
Been there several times driving thru-always intrigued, always enjoy the annual PGA Tour event, enjoyed the '08 US Open.
Of course I'd like to see the Schneider exorcism there as well(and a couple of other places while he's at it)

[Mike Sweeney]

get rid of the cart paths

Agree on this #1 point, and I think this is #10 tee:




I could make the fairway cut lines more interesting:



While the pond on #18 is its own topic, the greens are the real problem at Torrey Pines South:



Sure the putting surfaces are flat, but there is very little buildup/movement off the greens. That said, it is a fantastic experience and I look forward to finally playing TP North next '22 season:





TP North looks more interesting???

[Ronald Montesano]

Did no one else catch the hilarity of #ShoppingMallAtlas a few posts above? That's my kind of humor. Kudos to SMA.Com

[Carl Rogers]

Is TP hole 18 the most one dimensional finisher in the entire rota?

[Mark Kiely]

Is TP hole 18 the most one dimensional finisher in the entire rota?

Don't most U.S. Opens finish with a long par 4? How can a risk/reward par 5 be more one dimensional than that?

[Phil Burr]

Perhaps Carl’s reference to one dimension was an acknowledgement that the hole is a “1” on a 10-point scale for its architectural merit.  That’s my overall problem with Torrey.  I don’t think there’s a single hole I’d score higher than a 3 on such a scale.  It’s a dull course on a dull piece of property with a backdrop that could be green screened in any TV studio.

[Tim Leahy]

Played TPS weekly for two years prior to the last renovation and it's better now. Loved the course and all its subtleties and the only thing dull about the course is the imaginations of those that don't understand it. If your too cheap to drop the 2 bills on the non-resident rate, then move along so there are more tee times for the residents.