by Erik Dodge

Created on: February 12, 2010   Last Updated: February 15, 2010

A trip to the current location of the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club in the early 1900’s would have ended in a vast acreage filled with more than one million young Australian eucalyptus trees. A severe drought followed by the worst freeze in 40 years killed nearly 70% of the trees and cleared the way for what would become one of the premier golf courses in the western United States. The country club’s multimillion dollar renovations since the turn of the century maintain this prestige that was built over 80 years in this beautiful California town.

In 1927, Max Behr, the runner-up in the 1908 U.S. Amateur and a Golf Illustrated editor, was hired to design the course. Douglas Fairbanks Sr., an actor and golf enthusiast, played in the first foursome the course hosted when it opened in 1929. A pro-am was started here in 1937 by Bing Crosby, which rapidly gained in tradition and popularity until the event ceased in 1943. Despite the tournament’s move to Pebble Beach, many still claim Rancho Santa Fe hosted the event in its finest years.

A straightforward design, with minimal use of fairway bunkers, reflects the nonrestrictive approach Behr emphasized in his writings. Thick Bermuda grass provides a healthy challenge that can be taken on with high visibility. Small, sloping and on five occasions multi-tiered greens require golfers bring a fair measure of touch when putting. Behr’s design is regarded as one of the finest layouts in the western United States.

Over the last 80 plus years, the course’s young eucalyptus seedlings have grown into towering trees that line its fairways. Its rustic charm and warm Pacific climate make the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club one of the most gorgeous golf outings in the country. World class facilities and an esteemed design add to the over four scores of tradition built by the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club.   

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