My "home" country club from back home was being sold by ClubCorp so we wanted to get out and utilize our reciprocal privileges one last time. In between the time we bookedthe tee time and the date of ... Continue »

My "home" country club from back home was being sold by ClubCorp so we wanted to get out and utilize our reciprocal privileges one last time. In between the time we bookedthe tee time and the date of our round (Saturday 3/26) the sale had been finalized so we were technically no longer ClubCorp members. Called the course a couple weeks prior and explained the situation to Kim, the head pro. She could not have been more understanding and let us know she would still get us out!

On the day of play, it was a 5-star day in north San Diego, with just a slight breeze keeping things cool. Practice facilities were awesome: grass range with ample targets and a putting green that matched the speed/breaks experienced on the actual course. 2 of our group did not prioritize the practice green and struggled on the front nine with multiple three putts.

Tee boxes were level and lush, never a problem finding a place to hit from.

Fairways were carpet-like and rough was dormant and just a touch longer than the fairway, not very penal at all.

Bunkers were a mixed bag and really the only downside to the course. The couple greenside bunkers that I found myself in had wet, compacted sand and that just doesn't suit my sand game very well.

Greens were a delight to putt on and the real defense of the course for me. Held well struck shots well but were quick-fast. On more than a couple occasions the putts seemed to break uphill or there was a break that I just could not see was there.

All in all, a great day at a sister course and I'm actually kind of bummed that we didn't get out here more and utilize those reciprocal privileges.

Played 11/8 in the GK/Golf Moose event, managed at the course by Johnny GK. It was a special treat because my 95 year old father, a former champion at this club in the late 80’s, was able to join me ... Continue »

Played 11/8 in the GK/Golf Moose event, managed at the course by Johnny GK. It was a special treat because my 95 year old father, a former champion at this club in the late 80’s, was able to join me for 9 holes. I believe he was 4 over from half regular and half forward tees. Awesome. Our playing partners Victor and Jack were terrific and gobsmacked when they found out my Dad’s age. First time either of us have played there since the early 90’s.

But it would have been special regardless, for the course is fun and pretty and a decent challenge but fair. Ted Robinson designs “pleasant” golf courses IMHO, nothing special but consistently playable with an interesting hole here and there. Bernardo Heights has done an excellent job of maintaining the course as the trees have grown in, and they seem to be very attentive to walkers. There are multiple tees for all levels of play, and the women that played this event seemed to be happy with the course. They have replaced the non-“green” areas with bark mulch and lots of rocks and pathways and the whole place is pleasing to the eye. The course is in excellent condition throughout, greens are not complex and roll very true at medium-fast speeds. No blind shots, nothing tricked up, just a very playable course with reasonable challenges. Pleasant still fits, but I would say this is a cut above most TR designs I have played because it is so well maintained. It is a club that has matured extremely well. The superintendent must be really wise.

Nice range, good mats and grass is saved for members, lack of GPS is odd as the carts are pretty new. Club personnel on hand were excellent.

As usual, check in and shotgun start were silky smooth and easy, all thanks to Johnny, and we finished in 4.5 which is pretty good for a full course with reasonable challenge. Never really waited and did not feel pressure from behind, it was truly a great event. If you are looking for a club to join in the Escondido/Rancho Bernardo area, this is definitely worth your investigation.

Played in the GK/Golfmoose outing yesterday. Johnny was right in the front checking everyone in and that was smooth. All the carts were assembled right by the range. The range was full but rotated ... Continue »

Played in the GK/Golfmoose outing yesterday. Johnny was right in the front checking everyone in and that was smooth. All the carts were assembled right by the range. The range was full but rotated well with people wanting to warm up. Overall a very easy tournament from an organization standpoint.

Condition wise everything still pretty consistent if not a tick better than when we had the GK Guru outing a couple of weeks ago. Course is in really nice shape all around and worth a look.

Played 10-21-21 with John, Mike, and Nick, on a nice San Diego afternoon, finishing in around 4 hours and 45 minutes. Tee boxes were level and mostly lush with some minor divot damage on some of the p... Continue »

Played 10-21-21 with John, Mike, and Nick, on a nice San Diego afternoon, finishing in around 4 hours and 45 minutes. Tee boxes were level and mostly lush with some minor divot damage on some of the par threes. Fairways were in good condition with nice lies and decent roll out. Rough was in good shape, not to long but the ball would sit down a little. Was in a couple of fairway bunkers that were nice to hit from and one greenside bunker that was well groomed with a nice layer of sand. Greens were rolling mostly smooth at medium/fast pace and semi-soft. All around fun course in pretty nice shape.

Out with GK Gurus at Bernardo Heights CC for a preview round for the upcoming, now sold out, Golf Moose/Greenskeeper.org Private Course outing on Monday 11/8. Always a super time for me to tee it up w... Continue »

Out with GK Gurus at Bernardo Heights CC for a preview round for the upcoming, now sold out, Golf Moose/Greenskeeper.org Private Course outing on Monday 11/8. Always a super time for me to tee it up with GKers.

Rgm2525 had let me know Bernardo Heights CC was a fun layout so I was looking very forward to playing it for the first time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Ted Robinson (1983) design. Par 3 Hole 12 is a tremendous signature hole with a downhill water protected green. Simply beautiful for start to finish. Check out the photos I posted.

Green complexes well-guarded by adjacent bunkers, some multi-tiers but never unfair. Medium-Fast, holding shots and smooth. Just a pleasure to experience.

Fairways feature many gradual uphill holes with doglegs in both directions complemented by significant downhill par 4’s and par 5’s requiring accurate tee shots with the threat of OB. Mostly lush and firm bermunda.

Rough was kept reasonably low yet a blend of kikuyu, bermunda and fescue. Rarely did your ball sit up which made it despite its length a challenge because of its thickness. If the Bernardo Heights CC ever wants to make it significantly more difficult, letting the rough get long would do the trick and then some.

Bunkers, I was told are going to start receiving new sand however the current sand was just fine by me. They were all in very good condition and well groomed.

Tee boxes, (we played the Blue tees) were in very good shape. They are small boxes so they do show some significant divot damage at times on par 3's, however no problems finding an excellent patch of level groomed grass to hit from.

Clubhouse was so low key and relaxed. Although there were many golfers they do a good job spacing.

I can’t wait to play here again someday. I don’t play when I run the outings. I do a Closest-To-Pin contest. It’s hard for me to pass up doing it on Hole #12 so to be able to snap photos of any group that wants a pic with Hole #12 in the background. Gorgeous.

Highly Recommended.

Played the Blue/White combo that put a lot of fairway woods and long irons in my hands. Course was a in very good condition tees, fairways, bunkers and greens in the best condition I can remember ever... Continue »

Played the Blue/White combo that put a lot of fairway woods and long irons in my hands. Course was a in very good condition tees, fairways, bunkers and greens in the best condition I can remember ever playing out there. Greens were tricky and pretty quick. Bunkers well maintained with good sand. Fairways and rough in good shape. Fun play!

10/21 guru outing nice day variable breeze POP 415 with no waiting and no pressure. Traditional parkland setting and even with adjacent homes there was a sense of isolation. Nice varied layout with... Continue »

10/21 guru outing nice day variable breeze POP 415 with no waiting and no pressure. Traditional parkland setting and even with adjacent homes there was a sense of isolation. Nice varied layout with a good mix of holes with a few blind shots over crests with water lurking. There is a rolling quality with no severe elevation changes but more than 1/2 the time a not so level lie and stance making for additional challenges especially with a downhill lie out of the rough with water covering 1/2 the approach on the left.
Fairways quire good for the most part with nice lies and only a few thin areas and some tight lies fronting many greens. Rough did not seem very long but was still on the sticky side.
Played the white tees and found them to be lush and level with the exception of 1 box where the markers were at the very front giving a slight slope. Bunkers were well groomed and had good quality sand.
Greens rolled well medium fast with sneaky breaks and were receptive to well struck full shots while providing considerable roll out for chips.
Range will mats and and abundance of balls. Large putting green that previewed on course conditions. Small pitching area but with a practice bunker. Comfortable carts with no GPS.
Staff very friendly and welcoming.

Played yesterday with the Guru's and Nick's summary is spot on. I think it's been 3 weeks since overseeding and the course looks and plays very nicely. Still a few roped off areas where they are sti... Continue »

Played yesterday with the Guru's and Nick's summary is spot on. I think it's been 3 weeks since overseeding and the course looks and plays very nicely. Still a few roped off areas where they are still working on the overseeding but nothing too bad.

I thought the greens rolled well at a medium type of pace. I've seen them faster which is why I say medium. A few ball marks here and there but nothing too bad. Greens are smaller which is part of the defense of this course.

Fairways are great. Nice coverage and not too many bad or bare areas that I can remember.

I was in a couple of bunkers and thought the sand was really nice and able to make a nice splash to get your ball out.

All in all a nice day with familiar faces and it was great seeing everyone again.

Rode the Blues (6722/72.5/130) with John, Mike and Ron in 4H, 45M twilight. Breezy, clear and in the 70's. Very fun group to play with, enjoyed seeing all those guys again and catching up. Thanks to B... Continue »

Rode the Blues (6722/72.5/130) with John, Mike and Ron in 4H, 45M twilight. Breezy, clear and in the 70's. Very fun group to play with, enjoyed seeing all those guys again and catching up. Thanks to BH for having the Guru's out and to John for coordinating! First time here. Overall, probably the best Ted Robinson design I have played. Not overdone with water features, up/down rolling hills with 18 fun holes. Plenty of variety, plus on the layout. And the conditions were excellent overall. Tees mostly good. A few were thin and needed some attention for divots. Fairways had good coverage and were nice to play from. Rough had good coverage and was thick enough to be penal even though not that tall. Traps had good sand and were well groomed. Smallish greens were a real treat to putt on. Firm, medium fast and smooth, they rolled really well. Some of the best greens I have putted on in recent memory. Carts were nice but did not have GPS. No cart gal but there was a busy snack stand on the turn. Nice driving range on mats with complementary range balls. 2 putting greens that were both as nice as the on course greens. Fun course to play in very nice condition, I would definitely come back. Recommended.