The Farms GC Rancho Santa Fe

[Tommy Williamsen]

I played this course twice a few years ago.  It was redone by Tom Lehman.  On the surface it seemed like just a pretty face in an expensive neighborhood.  When I finished playing it I just loved it and couldn't wait to play it again. 

I suspect that many here would not like it and find it contrived.  But sometimes contrived works.

Thoughts?

Link    http://www.lehmandesigngroup.com/gallery_Rancho_Santa_Fe_Farms.html

[David Stamm]

I didn't dislike The Farms, but I didn't love it either. Lehman came in to soften the course because the members complained of the difficulty. I may be wrong, but this may be one of the last, if not the last, courses that TD worked on with Dye. I got the sense that some of the holes were shoehorned in. 15-17 is one tough stretch and quite good. It's definitely a players golf club. You can see why Mickelson, Dennis Paulson and John Schroeder play here as residents of San Diego. While I didn't love the course, I liked it overall. I think RSFGC down the road is better, at least before Dave Fleming screwed it up.

[Tommy Williamsen]

David, I have heard only good things about RSF.  I hope to get there. 
I think the thing that surprised me about the Farms was I felt while I was [playing it that I "shouldn't" like it, that it wasn't my preferred kind of design.  But I did like it and years later remember most of the holes and that I still think that I would like to play there again. 

[Adam_Messix]

David Stamm--

You mentioned Rancho Sante Fe Golf Club and how Dave Fleming messed it up.  Please elaborate.  I played there for the first time last Thursday and really enjoyed it, particularly several really interesting greens like 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, and 17. 

I only had a chance to get a brief glimpse at the Farms at Rancho Sante Fe and don't want to elaborate. 

[corey miller]

I played much golf at the Farms circa 1983 and even then it had already been scaled back a little to help less skilled golfers. 

I do disagree a little with Lehman's description, it was shoehorned in but it was still a >7000 yards course that had very little "safety" issues, a result of the enormous mounding. 

In fact, the mounding, may have been an intregal part of the whole project.  I suspect they needed a "championship" course, and the land they used was essentially in a bowl. 

I wonder if this is an example where without the mounding, resulting in more width and a "full-length" course, this project does not get done?

Doak 5.

[David Stamm]

David Stamm--

You mentioned Rancho Sante Fe Golf Club and how Dave Fleming messed it up.  Please elaborate.  I played there for the first time last Thursday and really enjoyed it, particularly several really interesting greens like 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, and 17. 

 

Adam,

   To be fair, there have been several arch's over the years that have chipped away at Behr's design. IMHO, Fleming's changes have been the most visually jarring to the eye. I think he went really overboard in the use of mounding. When compared to old photo's, it really jumps out at you. The bunkers are also nothing like what Behr did. While Fleming was not responsible for adding water on this, #3's green had been completely redone as well as 17 I believe. 10-12 are closer to original. 16, IMO, is the best hole on the course along with the 10-12 stretch. The course is still fun and a favorite of mine, but it could be so much better if it remained faithful to Behr's design. Below is the overall routing.

[Adam_Messix]

David--

Thanks for the insight.  I played with some long time members and they said that there have been some changes to the course over the years.  The picture is from the Ranch Sante Fe history book that I really enjoyed reading.  You're right, it's a neat course. 

[Jon Spaulding]

DS; THIS APPEARS TO BE THE PROMPT FOR YOUR MUCH-ANTICIPATED RSF THREAD........

#13 IS JUST A MESS OF A HOLE TODAY AS COMPARED WITH THE BEHR VERSION. FLEMING'S TRADING OUT AN ALTERNATE FAIRWAY FOR A LAKE WITH ROCK WORK AND BRIDGES QUALIFIES AS A TOP NOTCH SCREW UP IN MY BOOK.