RANCHO SANTA FE — FORE Magazine has been rating elite golf courses for years, and in its 2014 summer edition, they eyed RSF Golf Club for a feature article.
This periodical is also the official publication of the Southern California Golf Association.
Since the article, “Rancho Santa Fe’s New Day,” hit the stands, people are still talking about it.
For Al Castro, the general manager at the RSF Golf Club, he thought the coverage was exciting. “It tied us back to being the first home of the Clambake, talked about its history and what we’re doing to perpetuate that legacy which Bing Crosby started in the mid-1930s,” Castro said.
In addition to the history of it all, Castro was impressed with how the write-up highlighted the walkable course, underscored its challenging shots for competition, and noted how it was extremely playable for their members.
“I think that’s really the magic formula to where we have the course be challenging enough to be considered one of the top ones in the area, but also have it be very playable for our members where they play it every day,” Castro said.
He went on to say how players receive a different experience based on how they play each hole.
Scott Johnson, PGA professional at the RSF Golf Club, was delighted that the author, Tod Leonard, wrote the piece because he has been a big part of the golf scene in San Diego County for a long time.
“My impression was that Tod set a good feel for the history of golf in the county,” said Johnson, adding how he also liked the historical coverage.
And in the last 10 years, Johnson enjoyed the coverage on the Club’s commitment in hosting golf tournaments. These major events included but are not limited to the SCGA Championship, U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, SCGA Amateur Championship and more.
Shanon McCarthy, director of communications at the RSF Golf Club, liked how the article was able to highlight their “heavy hitters,” while it added another special level.
“Everybody leaves their ego when they come here and everybody’s on the same peaceful playing field,” McCarthy said. “They are just regular normal people and that adds a really nice feel to the club.”
Castro said in the past, they have had mentions in FORE Magazine, but never of this magnitude as a feature.
Having this type of media recognition, Castro said, reinforces what the Club is all about. Castro describes the course layout as a timeless classic.
And this, among other reasons, is what makes their long-term members so committed to the club.
“Many of our long-tenured members have always known that this is one of those great classic designs that you never get tired of playing,” he said, adding how their superintendent and team keep the course in pristine conditions.
Johnson added that there haven’t been too many changes since the course was created. “And that is one of its big charms — there wasn’t any earth moved around when the course was built and just sits in this little valley,” he said, noting how there is nothing artificial about it.
Johnson went on to say how the course offers a variety of shots because of its gently rolling fairways.
Serving as membership director, McCarthy said when she tours prospective members or just people that want to come see the club, they are astounded by how casual, relaxed, and warm it is.
“I hear this all the time. It’s just a beautiful place to come and to be,” she said.
Castro believes what also makes the Club a standout is the setting.
“Every day I come here it feels like you’re pulling into a country club. It also feels like you are miles away from the big cities and coast, but in reality, you’re just a hop, skip and a jump to San Diego and to the coast,” Castro said. “You get a feeling of tranquility as soon as you pull into the club.”
To read this special RSF Golf Club feature edition, visit scga.org/news/fore-magazine
