The Preeminent Golf Management Company in San Diego |
JC Resorts Golf |
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By: Dr. Barry Lotz
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The Preeminent Golf Management Company With over 85 golf courses available in the San Diego marketplace, JC Resorts courses are perennially ranked in the Top Ten Best Public Courses in San Diego. JC Resorts was founded by James Colachis more than thirty years ago. He acquired the Rancho Bernardo Inn, the flagship of the company, upgraded the property significantly, repositioned and made it profitable. This same methodology and philosophy continues on today by JC Resorts.
The Rancho Bernardo Inn is set on 158 acres with 287 beautifully appointed guest rooms. Targeted as a group/corporate hotel servicing the Fortune 500 and other larger corporations, RBI has made their mark in the corporate market for their four days to a week retreat programs. All of the resorts amenities, including the golf course, spa, tennis and restaurants are outstanding. However, RBI is best known for its food and beverage and has the number one Zagat rated restaurant in San Diego County, called El Bizcocho.
JC Resorts also has two long-term management contracts with two municipalities. One is Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, located in Encinitas, and is widely considered as one of the most successful golf courses built in the last decade. Its a great location, easily accessible off the Interstate 5, and the majority of the holes have an ocean view. Though more of a links style course, its a very playable golf course. There are some really interesting and great holes making the round most enjoyable – notably number 16 a blind shot over a hill with no forgiveness on the left flank- the ball disappears into a large canyon. Tee times are at a premium, but are very reasonably priced.
JCs other course is Reidy Creek Golf Course in Escondido, which opened in July 2002. Cal Olson Architecture designed this unique golf course that Golfweeks James Achenbach calls the best 18-hole, par-3 layout I have ever seen. It definitely is not your typical par-three golf course. It was designed with the intention of encouraging golfers to use every club in their bag. Its a great course whether youre a beginner or an advanced player who wants to work on their short game. If you dont hit a good shot, you will be in a bunker or water hazard, or be left with a tricky shot. So its a great place for all types of golfers to develop their games. JC Resorts newest additions include The Auld Course in the foothills of Mt. Miguel, which expanded JC Golf into the South Bay. It’s a beautiful, Scottish links-style course bordered by acres of wetlands and a protected habitat reserve. It was designed by PGA Tour veteran John Cook and golf course architect, Cary Bickler. JC Resorts also recently entered into a new contract with Mt. Woodson Golf Club, which is well known in the golf community for its unique, challenging layout that is ideal for the straight shooter, but rather deadly for others. Its dramatic elevations from hole to hole make Mt. Woodson an entertaining venue to say the least. Tournament banquets and elegant catering events may be hosted in the historic Mt. Woodson Castle or one of two outdoor venues. Arrowood Golf Course will be the next addition to JC Golf. It is currently under construction in coastal North County, and is scheduled to open in early 2005. Service is of utmost importance to JC. It reflects in their attitudes at every course and separates them from their competition. In addition, JCs courses are typically in better shape than most of their competition, and they are always striving to improve. Part of JC Resorts recipe for success, particularly in Southern California, is due to the fact that they have many properties in close proximity to one another. More importantly, JC Resorts can advertise in the region and split the cost between the nine courses, rather than just one, thus reducing their marketing costs by up to eighty percent per golf course. They pass on the savings in the form of reasonable greens fees. JC Resorts offers the JC Players Card program, which allows golfers to be in a region and feel like theyre part of a club. If a golfer is going to play at least five rounds, he can join one membership program for nine unique courses for $329.00. Those who join the JC Players program become a part of the JC family and continue to play JC courses. Additionally, members get five free rounds of golf at any of the courses, ten buckets of range balls, and discount on merchandise and a 2 for 1 brunch at the Temecula Creek Inn. Once theyve used their five free rounds of golf, they can play at the JC Players Card rate, which is up to a 48% discount off the standard rates. The discount range is usually between twenty to forty eight percent. Members also get guest passes allowing friends or out of town guests to play at the JC Players rate as well. This is appealing to many golfers, because they have the opportunity to play nine unique courses, and can count on a great product from all of them. Its by far one of the best deals in Southern California.
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Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his current book, “How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf” is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s best seller list. He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net |
Temecula Creek Inn, in Temecula, was recently rearticle9_grated to include: fifty more hotel rooms bringing the total to 130 rooms, a remodeled golf shop, an enlarged golf plaza area and another 5,000 square feet of banquet space has been added as well. There are three championship nines or 27 holes with no homes on the golf course, which is very unusual for Southern California. Back to nature is the mantra. Being situated in wine country, there are countless activities to do in addition to playing golf. There are the wineries, hot air ballooning and many other great outdoor activities available year round.
JC Resorts also owns both the Twin Oaks Golf Course, a Ted Robinson design, in San Marcos and Oaks North, which is a twenty-seven hole executive course in San Diego, CA. Oaks North is a great track with a par 30 on three different nines. Its a fantastic way to get out and play golf in less than three hours, especially on a Saturday or Sunday. A typical round usually takes four and a half to five hours to complete, and at Oaks North you can play in about half the time. Its a great experience for golfers of all abilities, and is always in good shape. The Twin Oaks layout winds mostly through wetland areas running through the center of the property. Its a fun and enjoyable golf course in a great location nestled between the 5 and 15 Interstates, just off the 78 Freeway. Twin Oaks is a favorite tournament venue, and with the addition of the Stixx Cafe and the adjoining patio, up to 180 guests can be accommodated.
I recently was examining swing sequences of some of the greatest players in history. Knowing that some of these players favored a draw as their standard shot while others preferred a fade, I sought to identify swing features within each group that would explain their respective ball-flight tendencies. Something profound emerged that I think will benefit all golfers, especially those cursed with a wicked slice.