Rancho San Marcos G.C.

[Bob_Huntley]

Has any one played here and what is the verdict?

Bob

[Tom Huckaby]

I've played it three times.

Pretty darn good course - some very interesting holes and a lot of scenic beauty.  It's in a very tranquil area as well.  Would be a very very very difficult walk, as there are some serious hills to traverse - but the sane just ride.

I'd say it's very worth checking out.  

TH

[Aidan Bradley]

RSM is closed due to renovation. Due to reopen Summer of "07.

[Tom Huckaby]

Aha.  Well then there you have it.

I seem to remember a certain skillful photographer posting some very nice shots from this course... care to post again, or are they obsolete?

[Aidan Bradley]

Tom,

RTJ is doing the renovation. To the best of my knowledge they are recreating the third hole (washed away before the course opened and the first image below). Also they are softning #15 (last two images below) as well as a lake to the left of #16 (irrigation purposes I believe) and some bunkering work throughout. The last image is for those who don't believe it snows in Santa Barbara (March 2002?)

[Tim Leahy]

I enjoyed playing there also, althought it's private they allowed some afternoon public play. Eucalyptus trees, ponds and some natural changes in elevation made it interesting although not very difficult.
Ignore the above I confused it with Lake San Marcos in San Diego area.
I have played Rancho San Marcos in Santa Barbara area also and enjoyed it very much, very natural setting many old oaks, great par threes and a couple of real tight par fives.

[Tom Huckaby]

Aidan - great stuff as always.  And thanks for the report on the renovations - it all sounds worthwhile to me.

Tim - this course is most definitely public, or at least used to be.  It's also pretty darn tough... are you thinking of the right course?

http://www.rsm1804.com/homepage.html

TH

[Aidan Bradley]

Not private, open to the public and I don't remember seeing any Eukes and one pond..........

[Bill_McBride]

The biggest problem they've had up there since it opened is - no liquor license!  This has made it difficult to attract group business.

The course has been sold to the same guy who bought Sandpiper and Montecito CC.  Interesting RTJ is doing the Rancho San Marcos work as Nicklaus is designing a completely new Montecito CC.

RSM is beautiful - love those holes up on top like the par 3 across the barranca.  The biggest problem is those two extremely long and uphill hikes, as otherwise the course is quite walkable.

Hope to get to play it in 2008 when I'm out there again.

[Tom Huckaby]

Bill - those two hikes are why I say the sane just ride there.  Have you walked it?  I did once and truly regretted it.  I think it's kinda like Wente Vineyards though... give shuttles for the worst parts and the rest of the course is a decent walk.

And you're not going the be out that way until 2008?  The very soul of golf shrieks.  Of course I know you have a bit of other travel on your plate, both recent past and I'd guess recent future.

 

[Guy Nicholson]

Seems to me I remember one or two of those photos from T&L Golf a while back. Lovely.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill - those two hikes are why I say the sane just ride there.  Have you walked it?  I did once and truly regretted it.  I think it's kinda like Wente Vineyards though... give shuttles for the worst parts and the rest of the course is a decent walk.

 I rode.  I may be dumb but I'm not crazy.  But most of the course is very walkable, a couple of strategically located shuttles would be great -- if anybody thought that made any difference!

And you're not going the be out that way until 2008?  The very soul of golf shrieks.  Of course I know you have a bit of other travel on your plate, both recent past and I'd guess recent future.

Nothing is planned - at this time!  The rest of the year - two trips to Portland (granddaughters are a powerful attraction), Traverse City mid July, Walker Cup in Northern Ireland in September, Dixie Cup in October --- hmm, November does look open...but doubtful!

 

[Tom Huckaby]

Bill - I love your life and continue to live vicariously through you.

 

As for walking RSM, I was with a few diehards that one time and the front nine was just jim-dandy.  Then we started hiking.  Gulp.  

[Joe Perches]

Aerial view of Rancho San Marcos

I've enjoyed my rounds there.

Rancho San Marcos is a pleasant enough course though, depending on the rainfall and season, it can be quite badly conditioned.  I believe the course is not permitted to draw water from nearby Lake Cachuma.

According to the RSM Expansion Conditional Use Permit the course is permitted to draw 396 acre-feet of water per year for irrigation.  That's about the same amount per acre as the nearby walnut farms use, but a little bit more than the vineyards.  See:  Santa Barbara County Agricultural Water Use

Even though it is not next to the ocean, I prefer RSM over Sandpiper.  I think the ground movement is better.  I don't think either is really a fun chipping or putting course.  The bunkering is not extraordinary on either.

If you are nearby, perhaps you might enjoy La Purisima.

Aerial view of La Purisima