I'm talking to a friend who lives in my home town of 4,000 or so people and he tells me he had a hole in one on the 7th hole at Barona.  Amazing.  Even with that little fact I have to give the nod to Rustic Canyon because of the greens.  Seems like Rustic was an easier walk and a bit of a better value to boot.  Seems like from what I can recall the infrastructure getting to Rustic (the road that is) was in better shape also.  Just to seal the deal I'm also giving Rustic the food nod.

John,

What next from JakaB, Sand Hills is better than Dismal River?

What happen to the days of JakaB going against the grain, sticking up for Fazio, poking at raters and fighting with Geoffrey? A couple of your recent exchanges with Dr Childs made me think this cancer stuff has worn you out. Either that or you are positioning for hitting up Brad to be a rater?

I am a little depressed after Jack Bauer couldn't prevent the nuke from hitting LA.  I went through this same thing when Edgar died.  How close is Rustic to Valencia....I hope everyone is ok.  Between both our daughters living in LA this might bring Brad and I closer together.

Is the "trout stream" at Barona a waterfall.  It is one of my all time favs.  Curtis seemed to have eaten well in the off season...I was happy to see him go...I'm surprised Jack went with the throat shot when Curtis has such a large head.  He must have flinched.

I have yet to play Barona, but I liked Oak Quarry better than Rustic, just more dramatic, better topography. Just one play each however.

Will play Barona on my next trip to California. Any CGA who want to play Barona with me, pls IM me.

Barona does get the nod for long par 3.  The one shortcoming I found at Rustic.  Even though Edgar was a momma's boy he never went against the nation's best interest.  Curtis was a traitor.  

I haven't played Barona Creek, but I've played Rustic Canyon once with Tommy Naccarato and Adam Clayman at dawn.  Three things I really liked about Rustic were:

1.  Most of the holes played a half club uphill or downhill, and the constant gentle slope of the valley made it very hard to perceive.

2.  There are no houses, and I really loved the native wildlife bordering the course.  It was in May after a rainy spring, and the wild mustard was blooming and bright yellow.

3.  The tri-tip sandwich in the club house was to die for.  Thought I'd mention that again.  

I would agree with that percentage, based on how they are marketed...daily fee vs. resort, although they are probably equally easy/difficult to walk...

Rustic is decidedly low-key and unpretentious, and Barona is a resort course that offers something different, despite the fact that in season it is quite expensive to play on a weekend even though it is up in the mountains and not very close to SD-proper...

I live 30 minutes from Barona Creek and 3 hours from Rustic Canyon, sadly I wish that situation was reversed. Mainly from an economic standpoint. I can play Barona at twilight, for $55, but usually end up playing with golfers who are less than fully focused on the golf there. It's very difficult to get the Sunday group to play out there more than a couple of times a year; $100 is a lot for guys with families to pay for a weekend round.

Rustic Canyon does make for a better everyday course as you are going to have to invent shots several times each round played there. The stock play works almost 95% of the time at Barona.

However Barona has a higher shot value challange; they're not taking the Nationwide Tour Championship there in 2007 and 2008 for nothing. It will be very interesting to see how they set up the course for that tourrnament. Will the fairways be narrowed? Will par be changed to 70 to raise scores? Even with an additional 500 yards and a 7500 yard total, the course still plays short. Although it will be a wedge fest, there are lots of Sunday pin placements that will actually reward postion off the tee.

I would like to know the percentage of golfers that walk each course.  Guessing Rustic 40% Barona 5%..

I was told by Rustic Canyon staff that about 25% walk.

Quote from: John Kavanaugh on January 16, 2007, 10:57:33 AM

I would like to know the percentage of golfers that walk each course.  Guessing Rustic 40% Barona 5%..

I was told by Rustic Canyon staff that about 25% walk.

Why is that number so low at Rustic?  I've never played it, but it sounds eminently walkable.  Is climate a factor?  Culture of riding in area?

There are a few long walks from green to tee...and JK will attest to the existence of "Mount 16th Tee" near the end of the round...but mainly I think it's just force of habit.
 

I have played both Rustic and Barona and besides the price consideration, Rustic's greens are unique to California. Barona is a great course and in great shape compared to most public courses, but Rustic like greens with those extended fringes and challenge of pitches, long putts is unique in California where as Barona type layout and conditions are matched on many courses in Cali. Also, if you count the buffet at the Casino at Barona the food is pretty good.