Favorite child. Favorite hole. Favorite employee. Ask a parent, golf course operator or business owner about one of those and the stock answer of being impossible to choose is often the reply.
While not saying it’s his favorite course of the 11 in JC Golf’s portfolio, director of golf operations Erik Johnson says Rancho Bernardo Inn has a “special” place in the group’s thinking since it was the first to be brought into the management fold of JC Resorts in 1971.
“We view this as our flagship golf course,” said Johnson, who was director of golf at Rancho Bernardo Inn before taking on a larger role with JC Golf. “Because of its heritage and reputation in San Diego County and how long it’s been here, we think it’s a special place and hope the golfing public in this area feels the same way.”
The course, which was designed by William Bell and opened in 1962, has a distinct vibe and routing from that era, with holes that provide a challenge off the tee and test a player’s short game because of smallish greens and tricky undulations. Some fairways gently bend to the right or left, while others are sloped on the side, which puts an even bigger premium on accurate tee shots. And even though the tips play at less than 6,700 yards, good luck breaking 80 from whatever tee you play.
“Because of the driving accuracy required and having to think your way around, scoring well can be a test,” Johnson said. “You have to do a lot of things well here. But it’s a really neat, serene golf experience. It matches very, very well with the look of the resort.”
The look – and playability – of the course was enhanced recently with a renovation project that included new green complexes, soil remediation, a new irrigation system and refurbished bunkers. At around 45,000 rounds a year – with 85 percent from the public and not resort guests, Johnson said – the course doesn’t get an excessive amount of play, which helps with pace of play and not having the grounds overly taxed by foot and cart traffic.
Still, the course needed a refresh, as many things – and people – do as they get into their fifth decade of life.
“We wanted to bring it back to its glory,” Johnson said of the layout. “The design hasn’t been altered that much over its 50-year history. It’s pretty special on its own.”
Two of the more interesting holes close out the front nine and round, with the former being a 300-yard par-4 with a small green and pond on the right that also creeps in front of the putting surface. The finishing hole is a 540-yard par-5 that requires a strategic tee shot and playing your second shot to the right of a pond to leave an approach to an elevated green over a stream that flows to the pond.
After the round, the resort atmosphere sets up nicely for snacks, dinner or drinks. The Veranda is an airy spot overlooking the course for a casual meal and cocktails; The Bar (yes, that’s what it’s called) has a pleasantly upscale sports bar feel; and Avant is the signature restaurant serving creative dishes that draw on Rancho Bernardo Inn’s agricultural and wine country location.
Overall, the spot fits in with JC Golf’s strategy, Johnson said, of good customer service and trying to be a leader in its competitive set. When it comes to the course, being like a good baseball team – strong up the middle – is foremost on the agenda.
“We want to have the best greens, fairways and tees we can possibly have,” he said. “That’s what we strive for here and at all of our locations.”
BY THE NUMBERS
72.4, 133 – Course rating and slope from the 6,670-yard back tees
1,721 – Difference, in yards, from the back and forward (4,949) tees
519 – Average length, in yards, of the four par-5s from the back tees
185 – Average length, in yards, of the four par-3s from the back tees
$75, $103 – General weekday and weekend green fees for Southern California residents
9,200 – Approximate number of golfers with a JC Card, which provides significant savings at the 11 courses in the JC Resorts portfolio
