El Cajon, California Golfplatz

Sycuan Golf Resort

Description:
Rated the best San Diego golf vacation by UTsandiego.com readers and a recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s top ranking, Sycuan Golf Resort is part of the larger Sycuan experience, which also offers hotel accommodations, dining and casino gaming to pair with the golf course.

Located in the Sweetwater River Valley about 30 minutes from San Diego Airport, golfers will find themselves on Native American land that has been occupied by the Sycuan people for over 12,000 years! The 54-hole golf resort is comprised of 3 courses, two championship level, 18-hole courses and one 18-hole par 3 course. Serious golfers can test their mettle at Oak Glen, Sycuan’s first golf course, which opened in 1956, or at Willow Glen, which has challenged golfers since 1961. For a more relaxed experience, visitors can choose Pine Glen, the par 3 course.

Willow Glen- A par 72 course, with demanding, narrow fairways and strategically placed bunkers. Sweetwater River parallels the course and influences many holes, providing beautiful scenery along with difficult shots. The course contains several dogleg holes, elevation shifts and water crossings.

Oak Glen- This par 72 course is full of tight fairways, crafty rolling greens, and difficult hazards in a professionally landscaped setting. Sweetwater River runs through the middle of the course, most notably on the gorgeous but perilous 5th hole, one of San Diego’s best.

Pine Glen- Pine Glen is one of Southern California’s most challenging 18-hole par 3 golf courses, requiring both long and short tee shots, a capable short game and impeccable putting.  From the back tees, Pine Glen plays over 2400 yards.

Public/Private: Public
Location: El Cajon, CA
Address: 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon, CA 92019
Website: www.sycuanresort.com
Phone Number: 619.442.3425

Amenities/Services (Lessons, pro workshops, caddies, carts, etc.): The Sycuan Loyalty Program is open to San Diego residents only and offers discount on rounds, lessons, and pro shop merchandise. Club membership extends even more benefits and discounts.

The Sycuan Golf Academy features PGA and LPGA professionals offering group and private lessons, junior academy and camps, The School of Golf Exclusively for Women and the Couples Academy—for significant others to hone their golf game together.  

Season dates: Open 365 days a year
Course Designer: All 54 holes were originally designed by Cecil Holingsworth. After severe flooding in 1978 and 1980 the golf course was redesigned by Ted Robinson Sr. Oak Glen was redesigned in 1991 by Dave Fleming.
Slope:  Willow Glen- 130, Oak Glen- 130
Course Rating: Willow Glen- 72.6, Oak Glen- 71.9
Type of Grass (fairway and green): Bermuda (tee box, fairways, rough); combination of Poa and Bent (greens)
Number of members: not specified
Number of rounds of golf per year: not specified
Offer a Women’s Association: No, but does have a women’s school.
Offer a Junior Associate: No, but does have a junior golf academy.
Offer a Senior Association: Yes
Practice facilities available: Driving range and practice greens.

Clint Higgins:
Level Two certified golf fitness instructor
Robert S. Madsen:
2011 Golf Digest Best Teachers in State of California
Three-time San Diego Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year
2006 San Diego PGA Horton Smith Award (Education)
2005 San Diego PGA Stroke Play Champion
Member of the San Diego Chapter PGA Teaching Committee

Julie Day: Nominated for LPGA Western Section Golf Professional of the Year in 1998
Kim Estep
Rick Lindemann
Scott Ohls

Challenging Holes:
Willow Glen #4- This downhill par 4 plays short but needs two good shots to reach the green. Mind your yardage, water guards the front of this unusual green. Reach the flat part of the fairway for a reasonable 100 yard shot over the hazard.
Willow Glen #10- Big hitters beware! There is water on the left hand side you cannot see from the tee. Get over the crest at the corner of the dogleg to assess the green. Aim for the front of the hole, you don’t want to land too far above.
Willow Glen #14- An uphill, dogleg left requires a well-placed tee shot. The green is elevated, and putts faster than any other on the course from above. Good green placement is a must.
Oak Glen #5- You must clear a river bed with your drive, and stay right on your approach—anything to the left will land in the hazard. A three-tiered green adds to the challenge.
Oak Glen #9- Keep your fairway drive true as you must navigate bunkers that close in both sides of the green. A small front opening is enticing, but dangerous. Use an extra club and hang a right instead.
Oak Glen #13- Water to the left, bunkers and trees to the right. Better keep your drive straight and true. The ball must travel over the lake to reach the tabletop green

Picturesque Holes:
Willow Glen Hole #12- A waterfall on the right borders a multi-tiered green. Don’t get caught looking at the water, and aim left instead!
Willow Glen Hole #15- The only “original” hole to survive the flooding in 1980 and the subsequent redesign. The view extends all the way through to the other side of the valley.
Oak Glen Hole #2- The uniqueness of this hole is its rare double green, which the course claims is “reminiscent of St. Andrews.”
Oak Glen Hole #6- Views to the right of the green and #7 tee box offer some of the best and most comprehensive views of the Dehesa Valley and Sycuan Resort

HOW TO GET THERE:
Take 94 East until it turns into Jamacha. Stay on Jamacha. Turn right on Willow Glen Rd and right on Dehesa Rd. Destination will be on the right.