Mt. St. Geoff needs to let out his first plume after a few days of walking the glorious property that is Torrey Pines, a stunning landscape sadly inhabited by architecture that grows worse by the year. As so many courses refine their architecture, setup and spend to create a more sustainable facility, this place is bucking all trends despite the eco-friendly attitude in this swell part of the world.
Seeing the courses so well-maintained in recent years after so many years of struggle actually adds to the frustration. Knowing that the turf-management expertise is wasted on such uninspired architecture at least has more golfers asking why can't this place reflect the magnificence of its location.
I'll write a few more thoughts on that after I go watch some golf, but in the meantime I was pleased to see the Golfweek America's Best panel's ranking of 2018 PGA Tour courses not celebrating the work carried out here in recent years. Check out the list.
23. Torrey Pines (South) – La Jolla, Calif. – 1957 – William F. Bell – 6.79
Farmers Insurance Open: This William F. Bell design, renovated by Rees Jones in 2001, is the highest-rated municipal course on Tour’s regular schedule.
41. Torrey Pines (North) – La Jolla, Calif. – 1957 – William F. Bell, Tom Weiskopf – 6.19
Farmers Insurance Open: In 2016 renovation, Weiskopf flipped nines to put the most scenic holes on the back side, and widened fairways and greens.