San Luis Rey Downs G&CC
Bonsall, CA (between San Diego & L.A., 12 miles off the 5)
1965, William F. Bell (Torrey Pines)
Blue 6750, 72.6, 128, 72
White 6365, 70.5, 122, 72
'05 Fees: $64 Wknd Ride, $47 Ride after Noon, $37 Ride after 14:00, $30 Ride after 16:00
What To Read Before You Play Here: San Luis Rey Downs is one of those tracks that might be a local's favorite nobody'd ever heard of, if it wasn't for the fact that handlebar-mustached PGA & Champions Tour pro/CBS golf analyst & funnyman/author/King Jagoff Gary McCord cut his teeth learning the golfing life here. Check out McCord's Just A Range Ball In A Box Of Titleists for laugh-out-loud-on-public-transportation tales of McCord and his cronies: a stable of bookies, Vietnam Vets, horse trainers, army sargeants, topless bar managers, bald hairdressers, and bartenders, with nicknames like "Brain Damage", "The Kitchen", "Mad Max", "The Breathalyzer", "Lock & Load", "20/20" (who was legally blind), "Quick Pour", and "Unemployed Lloyd" at the Downs.
Golfcourse.com Review: This well-maintained course features thick tree-lined fairways defined by a standard cut of rough. In addition, out-of-bounds stakes line many holes, and water hazards (ponds and a creek) come into play on at least seven holes. The greens vary from large to medium in size, and a few of them are slightly elevated. The wind is frequently a factor, so selecting the proper club can really become one of the main challenges while playing here. The green fees indicated are for play before 1 PM. Weekend rates include a cart, but on weekdays players may choose to walk the course or pay cart fees. There are entirely separate rates that apply to Fridays only.
Avg. Golfcourse.com Player Review: 3.8/5.0. "Nothing to write home about. A local's course, not for the out-of-town golfer on vacation...", "Forget about the bare spots here and there-- a great test of golf...", "Overhanging trees test skill in hitting fairways...", "Greens in excellent shape, 5 hour pace of play, good service, good value...", "A little rough around the edges but a great design, ever present wind keeps holes like the 230 yard 16th mean...."