I usually like to take a trip out of Fresno in January. It is a time for me to get away and to refresh my winter batteries. This year, I chose a trip to San Diego, and when I left I really didn't have the desire to play golf but I carried my clubs with me down south. Who knows, the urge may strike at any time and I wanted to be ready with my sticks.
As I was sitting in my hotel room early in the morning after breakfast, I was struck with a harsh reality. What was I going to do that day? It was 6:00 A.M. and I had not planned my itinerary today. My mind was full of ideas about what to do and where to go, but nothing seemed like what I really wanted to do.
Since I was by myself and I don't get to play golf much down in San Diego when I am with others I decided to play, but where? I called San Diego Country Club and talked to Tom, their head pro, to see what he could suggest. I knew that San Diego Country Club was private and I could not get on to play there so I could rely on the information that Tom would pass on to me.
I wanted a course that was a good layout and challenging yet wouldn't cost an arm and a leg in green fees, somewhere around the neighborhood of $50 with a cart. We chatted a bit about golf and he told me that that might be very difficult to do, to stay within my budget. He did suggested a couple of courses that I might be interested in, but highly recommended a course in the hills above Chula Vista where I was staying. We ended our conversation and he wished me good luck.
Tom recommended Salt Creek Golf Course and said he didn't know what the green fees where there. I called Salt Creek and found out that the regular daily rate with cart was only $38 and my decision was made. I'll take a shot at it, literally. I was on my way and really didn't know what to expect.
I was told that Chula Vista is a geographically large city. After driving around the city into the hills above and still being in Chula Vista, I began to understand the accuracy of that statement. This course was a long way away from where I was staying and yet was still in Chula Vista. The drive was truly worth it and the view of the city and the bay beyond was breathtaking.
Salt Creek was designed by Cary Biddle and John Cook. Being a hill course, one has many side hill, downhill and uphill lies. You really have to work at keeping your mind in the game to play these differing lies. The greens are fast, but I felt they were true and rolled well. I was truly surprised at the design of the course, which was treeless and built into the natural landscape. There were very few trees and played like a links course.
I know that I have not given much information or talked in depth about Salt Creek.I plan to return soon and I enjoyed playing the course. The experience at Salt Creek was well worth the hunt for it. For the price, the golf and the total experience, I highly recommend the course.
