As I mentioned yesterday, I used to live in San Diego, a gorgeous city. I graduated from San Diego State. (Go Aztecs!) I began my professional career at General Dynamics. And I played golf at Torrey Pines, site of this week’s Buick Invitational.
As muni golf goes, Torrey Pines is hard to beat. It’s 36 holes of generous fairways and large greens on bluffs overlooking miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline. The North Course — the track I usually played because it was easier to get on — is the least difficult of the two courses. But it’s no pushover.
The South Course, which they’ve stretched out considerably since I played it, is long and tricky in spots. For example, number 12, a par four that plays directly into the wind (toward the ocean), is an absolute bear.
Breaking 80, a good day on any golf course for me, was an especially good score on the South Course. In fact, I think I did it just once, and that was a 75 on a calm day when the tees were up. I did shoot some fairly low scores on the North Course, often one really good nine and a mediocre nine.
Yet the best part of playing Torrey Pines was the phenomonal setting and being with my golf buddies. We played early on Saturday mornings, literally at the crack of dawn. We’d be off the tee by 6:30 or 7 a.m. and finished before lunch. (More on the early rounds tomorrow.)
Except for playing golf with my Dad growing up, I have no fonder golf memories.
What’s still ahead:
Friday: Arriving Early, Real Early, for Weekend Rounds
Saturday: My Unbelievable 18th Hole Story
The Armchair Golfer
(Photo credit: UCSD)
Good read…thanks.
That sounds so awesome.