Torrey Pines South Course

Origins

S. Army leased about 750 acres of Torrey Pines Mesa for Camp Callan, an anti-aircraft artillery replacement training centre. After the camp closed in November 1945, its buildings were dismantled and some of the lumber was reused for veterans' housing.

Golf architect William P. Bell later envisioned a public course on the windswept mesa. A 1956 San Diego election set aside roughly 100 acres of the former military property for golf, and Bell's son William F.

Bell oversaw completion of the North and South courses. Both opened in 1957 as municipal facilities.

Design Philosophy

The Bell routing used the exposed coastal mesa, natural canyon edges and wind as central features of the design. The South Course's modern identity, however, owes much to Rees Jones. When San Diego launched a capital-improvement program in 1999, the South was selected first because it was the principal course for the city's PGA Tour tournament.

Jones retained the underlying Bell routing while substantially strengthening it for championship play. Four greens were moved, ten new tees were added and the course was lengthened from just over 7,000 yards to nearly 7,600 yards at the time. Deep bunkering, elevated green complexes and longer angles placed greater emphasis on accurate driving and approaches while preserving the public course's underlying routing.

Development

S. Open. Jones returned for additional renovation work completed in 2019 ahead of the 2021 championship.

Golf Digest documents changes including widening the fourth fairway toward the coastal edge, redesigning bunkering on the 10th, adding carry bunkers on the 13th, constructing a new tournament tee on the 17th and rebuilding or adjusting bunkers throughout the course. The regular City scorecard now reaches 7,802 yards from the Black tees, although championship tournament setups use separate tee positions and yardages.

Recognition

S. Open. Tiger Woods won the 2008 championship after making a birdie on the 72nd hole to force an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate, then winning on the first sudden-death hole after the playoff remained tied.

Jon Rahm won when the championship returned in 2021. S. Amateur Public Links, won by Trevor Immelman over Jason Dufner.

Golf Digest currently ranks the course No. 40 among America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and No. 26 in California.

Today

The South Course remains part of the City of San Diego's municipal golf system and is open to both residents and visitors. D. Card receive substantially discounted green fees, while non-residents can reserve through the same City ForeUP portal.

The course records approximately 72,000 rounds per year. Facilities shared by the Torrey Pines complex include a driving range, practice putting greens, golf shop, rental clubs and carts, professional instruction, food-and-beverage carts and restaurant service. The South continues to serve as the principal course for San Diego's PGA Tour tournament while operating as everyday public golf outside tournament periods.