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  • The 14th hole at Maderas in Poway ends with an...

    The 14th hole at Maderas in Poway ends with an uphill approach over a rustic ravine.

  • Many people who play, and watch the pros, on the...

    Many people who play, and watch the pros, on the South Course at Torrey Pines, especially remember the par-3 third hole for its long views of the coast and La Jolla.

  • The third hole at Aviara is one of three great...

    The third hole at Aviara is one of three great par-3s on the course that is open to the public and plays host to the LPGA's Kia Classic each March.

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Selecting the top 18 holes in San Diego County should be a dream assignment, but when you’ve got a region full of great golf courses – nearly 90 in all – it can be tough. So even though I’ve got a few more local rounds under my belt since I did this task two years ago, my criterion is the same: holes that are scenic, memorable, fun to play and strategically challenging without being too difficult. If your favorite hole didn’t make the cut, let me know. I’d love to hear about a hole I might have overlooked.

No. 1, Petco Park, The Links At Petco

OK, we’re starting with a curveball, but the partnership between Callaway Golf and the San Diego Padres to turn Petco Park into a nine-hole, par-3 urban golf oasis is super cool. Fittingly, the round starts at home plate, and staring out toward center field with a golf club in hand is awesome. It’s surreal and real at the same time. I’m 0 for 2 on making a birdie at No. 1, but I do have a ground rule double. And, yes, I’ve heard the joke about warning track power.

No. 1, Barona Creek, 522 yards, par 5

Many courses in the county close with a par-5 but Barona Creek opens with one. The hole is straightaway off the tee before bending to the right where a giant oak tree and cluster of bunkers guard the green. If you can avoid the tree trouble, an opening birdie should be in play because you’ll be rolling your ball on some of the best greens in the region.

No. 2, Golf Club of California, 519 yards, par 5

This Fallbrook course has a great collection of par-5s, but the second hole is the best of the bunch. The fairway gradually turns to the right off the tee and comes to a beautiful conclusion with an approach to a green framed by trees after a carry over a ravine. Two solid strikes should have you poised to give your round some early scoring momentum.

No. 3, Torrey Pines South, 160 yards, par 3

This is the shot everyone thinks of when it comes to San Diego golf: a green below the tee box with an ocean backdrop and a view of La Jolla in the distance. Does it get any better than that? Its sister par-3 – No. 6 on the North – has a case, but it’s this hole that most people remember. It’s also a shorter hole, giving you a better chance of carding a birdie.

No. 3, Aviara, 149 yards, par 3

Home to the best quartet of par-3s in the region, Aviara has at least three candidates for this list, but No. 3 – home to the newly dedicated Arnold Palmer bridge – is too good to pass up. It’s one of the course’s three impeccably manicured par-3s that play over water, with this one buffeted by a waterfall on both sides. The deep green looks like an inviting target, yet balls in the water are common. When the flowers and trees are in full and colorful bloom, it’s a spectacular sight.

No. 3, Steele Canyon, Ranch, 410 yards, par 4

Dubbed Parachute, the signature hole at this Jamul course makes it feel like your tee ball was launched from a plane, hopefully to a safe landing. Steele Canyon offers a lot of elevation elation from its tees, and No. 3 is as good as any and more forgiving than most. It’s a tee shot you’re more likely to hit and enjoy than swing and cringe. But either way, the view is pretty cool.

No. 3, Riverwalk, Mission, 313 yards, par 4

This is a classic risk-reward par-4 because of a lake on the right side and a creek in front of the green. A well-struck hybrid or long iron should leave a wedge to a green normally surrounded by lush landscaping. Players cross a waterfall on a footbridge to putt out and get another glimpse of the hole’s total beauty. It’s like an oasis in the middle of downtown San Diego.

No. 5, The Crossings, 561 yards, par 5

Opinions vary on The Crossings, but there’s no debate about the par-5s that are flat-out fun to play. They’re all downhill and meant for bombers, with No. 5 adding a canyon carry to the mix. There’s also a speed slot that, if hit, will give you an extra 25 yards and put you in the go-for-it zone. Have I mentioned that the ocean breeze is typically behind you?

No. 6, Eagle Crest, 518 yards, par 5

Besides the tight fairway and trees and OB to the right, this hole is known for its gorgeous green complex that includes a creek and a pond fed by a waterfall spilling out from a split in a boulder. Avoid the water on your approach and you should be crossing the wooden bridge to the island green for a chance at birdie.

No. 6, Arrowood, 275 yards, par 4

Drivable par-4s are cool, but pin position on this short hole should be the determining factor. If it’s on the front portion of the large green, swing away. But if it’s back, think twice, because the putting surface is guarded by a bevy of traps and you’ll wish you’d laid up … unless you’re a great bunker player. Either way, the temptation factor makes this a great hole.

No. 7, Torrey Pines North, 395 yards, par 4

The renovated North was unveiled in November, but this hole has always been good because of its spectacular view along the cliffs. To play, the hole absolutely requires an accurate tee shot, since left is OB (and the ocean) and right is tree trouble that blocks any shot to the smallest green on the course. The Torrey pines defining the left side of the fairway make it an iconic hole at the namesake venue.

No. 14, Maderas, 526 yards, par 5

Maderas has the best collection of par-5s in the region, with Nos. 14 and 18 standing out. But the 14th hole has the more memorable finish, even though it’s often an unhappy ending for first-timers. The tee shot eases you into a hole that gets tougher with each shot and culminates with an uphill approach over a ball-eating ravine. Wedge is the club of choice as the approach gets more challenging the higher in the bag you go.

No. 16, La Costa, Champions, 160 yards, par 3

This is the epitome of a love-hate relationship. You’ll love the view but might end up hating the hole after the outcome. Beyond a pond carry with a fountain bubbling on the left, there’s a target green well defended by bunkers. This isn’t a tee shot for the timid, although there is bailout room to the right. While that’s no bargain to get up and down, at least you can find your ball.

No. 17, Balboa Park, 166 yards, par 3

Two views get your attention here: the drop to the green and the San Diego skyline in the distance. There’s not another tee box look like it in the city, and it’s one of several reasons to check out San Diego’s oldest golf course. There’s significant bailout available, but a putt for a 2 is preferred to complete a scenic golf picture. I wonder if Sam Snead took a 2 here when he set the course record.

No. 18, Reidy Creek, 172 yards, par 3

I’ve saved a spot on the card for a short-course shout out. This executive course in Escondido closes with a par-3 that harkens a bit of Augusta National. After clearing Reidy Creek’s version of Rae’s Creek, players take a stroll across a stone bridge to putt out. It’s a cool close on a course that shouldn’t be underestimated. The good greens here will test your short game, but you’ll enjoy the challenge.

No. 18, The Grand Golf Club, 405 yards, par 4

Water is more scenic than penal at this majestic par-4 finisher in Del Mar. The uphill approach is to a green with a waterfall backdrop and The Grand’s palatial clubhouse in the distance. A creek comes into play on your second shot as well, but the hole is a perfect balance of beauty and playability that should give you a chance at a walk-off birdie, especially with your caddy reading the putt.

No. 18, The Vineyard, 402 yards, par 4

If you’re looking for good elevated par-4s, there are a number of choices here. But I’m going with The Vineyard’s finishing hole, where you can see the clubhouse and some of the front nine from the tee that faces the mountains and sunset if you’re playing late in the day. The fairway bends to the right, and if you can avoid the traps and trees on the right side of the fairway you’ve got a chance to finish strong.

No. 18, Rancho Bernardo Inn, 528 yards, par 5

The elevated green complex at this finishing hole is gorgeous, with a creek, fountains and a waterfall creating the appearance of an island green. But there’s bailout room to the left that few golfers notice, until reaching the putting surface. Since the approach is uphill, the green is hard to hit, so it’s best to play this as a three-shotter and approach it with a wedge. A culvert dissecting the fairway also affects strategy, so hopefully you’re still thinking clearly at the end of the round.