markhalsey

You are probably familiar with the name of the course, when there was a tournament held here, named the "Battle of the Bridges."

There probably isn't a nicer, more challenging and beautiful golf course in San Diego than The Bridges. The Club is somewhat hidden away, deep in Rancho Santa Fe, once you pull up you truly feel like you have arrived at a Tuscan Estate. The interior is much of the same, a lot of stone and beautiful views of the Course. The Staff are so very warm and friendly, and greet you by name every time they see you. Being a very exclusive and private club, you must be accompanied by a member, however their member discount rate is reasonable at $85 per round I believe.

The course is extremely challenging, although not incapacitating like Maderas. Same level of difficulty without the frustration of the undulation of terrain. The use of Hills, Canyons and perfectly placed Water Hazards, makes this nearly 7,000 yard course quite difficult to manage, you can thank Robert Trent Jones Jr. for that, your next time out. Several nearby close golf course comparisons would be Santa Luz, Aviara, and the old Golf Club of California in Fallbrook, when it was Members only, and hadn't become neglected.

If you have a chance to play, or just visit the Club to eat, you would be remiss not to. I would highly recommend going, if for no other reason than to check out the men's locker room. I don't know what the membership fee is now, likely still around $300k. The locker room's door name plates read like a who's who of San Diego's Elite, including many Professional Golfers, one being our one and only, Phil Mickelson, who considers The Bridges his home course.