Things are happening in San Diego, which in knowledgable circles has always been an overated golf destination of sorts, but with the new remodel of Torrey Pines, the emergence of Barona Creek as the county's best, high end country clubs-- The Bridges of Rancho Sante Fe and Crosby National, and the unheralded Maderas.
The fact is that "Our" Neal Meagher has surprized me by building a golf course of some substance while handling a less then appreciative to the cause--owner and what could be described as the makings of an ecological nightmare corner of the property. Ironically those holes are pretty good, all things considering.
Yes, it has its usual gimmicky items such as a faux waterfall & creek, and a little too much containment, still under the expert hand of very good superintendent, Maderas is a very enjoyable round of golf. It has everything to do with the effort, even despite many obstacles that can get in an architects way. Even better is the fact that the architect is willing to listen to critique, no matter how harsh, because he wants to better himself. I find that quite refreshing.
My favorite hole is without doubt the par 4, 2nd which features an uphill tee shot over a defining depression. the approach should be, in all instances for the sale of fun--be played off of the left greenside containment which will knock the ball down, right, on to a very wild green where it can roll around and hopefully come close to the hole. How refreshing, the element of luck returned to the game!
The 2nd green. (sorry for the quality of the picture, but the conditons for taking any pictures at that time and degree of climate weren't possible for the most accurate of shots)Another great hole was the slightly uphill par 3, 4th. which features a creek bed bisecting the fairway right down the middle up to the green.
the par 4, 5th CapeThe 10thThe Approach to the 16thNeal has produced some fun greens at Maderas, and they are the hi-light of the course, but he has also managed to produce some interesting variety of par 3's and some neat crossings over natural creek beds, several times during the round, yet aren't environmentally destructive to the point where the golf is affected.
Great job Neal, and hopefully while everyone is down at Barona Creek in May, they will try to get by for a quick round.