For The Low, Low Price Of $14 Million: "‘Open Doctor’ Jones ratchets up the challenge on Torrey Pines South"

I haven’t a clue how you spend $14 million at an exsiting golf complex—oh wait, Landscapes Unlimited was involved, I stand corrected.

You’d think for that amount Torrey Pines might take on some character but judging by the photos and descriptions offered by the San Diego Union Tribune’s Tod Leonard, the course appears to have fewer trees, more visible cart paths and additional bunkers in that inimitable Rees Jones style: looking like bad puzzle pieces dropped randomly from a helicopter.

Players arriving for future Farmers, the 2021 U.S. Open or simply to pay a green fee, will find more examples of Jones’s imprint. Most heartbreaking of the various changes outlined by Leonard come at the 10th. As someone who first played there in 1991 and remembers how charming the 10th hole and green complex once was, this was particularly dispiriting:

The next hole, No. 10, was arguably the most bland on the course.

“The back nine really started at 11,” Jones said., “The 10th was a driver, wedge every time.”

A new tee was built to make the hole longer, and the visual changed dramatically, with the left side of the fairway split with a bunker, while a right fairway bunker pinches the landing zone.

Judging by the photo above by K.C. Alfred, it should be encircled in yellow tape.

But hey, the views are great, The Lodge makes a killer burger and you can get great fish tacos within 15 minutes of the course.