I’ve always been fascinated by the reasons golfers choose a certain golf course as their favorite. Take, for example, Randy Jones. We all know him as one of San Diego’s beloved Padres pitchers, but the golf community knows him as a darn good golfer. Athletes (especially the great ones) always have a strategy on the course.
So when I asked Randy, it came as no surprise that he would pick Mt. Woodson Country Club.
“I enjoy strategic thinking, and Mt. Woodson is a very strategic golf course,” Jones said. “As a pitcher, you are always thinking, not just about the next pitch, but the pitch after that and how you want to set up the batter. It’s the same thing with golf.”
Of course his best round ever was played at Mt. Woodson. He shot 67. And when I say his “best round ever,” we aren’t just talking about his score. He quickly added (and seemed just as proud) that he also found 40 golf balls that day. Um… you’re on your way to shooting 67 (he was three under on the front nine) and you’re off in the bushes looking for balls? “It was the ultimate Easter Egg Hunt!” he said.
Mt. Woodson is shorter than the traditional championship course, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less challenging. It requires more thought and usually more discipline. You can’t just “bomb it,” knowing if you mis-hit the shot you’ll end up in the next fairway over. There IS no next fairway over at Mt. Woodson. However, if you end up losing your ball, chances are Randy will find it during his next round!
Music drifts across the fairway. Someone’s in flip flops. The Pacific flashes in the distance. Sun peeks onto shoulders through the palm trees. It’s spring, technically, but the air reads suspiciously like summer. At the par-3 course at Liberty Station, the longest hole barely stretches past 120 yards, and no one looks particularly interested in becoming the next PGA legend.
“I got dragged to a par-3 course in 2019 —The Loma Club—and it was way more my jam,” says Ronan Galvin, CEO and co-founder of Sunday Golf, a company that makes lightweight golf bags for players who’d rather carry less and laugh more. “It was a lot different than the stereotypical ideas you have about golf where it’s kind of long, uptight, and exclusive.”
Galvin spent over a decade in the golf industry working in product development, sourcing and manufacturing. But he didn’t grow up swinging clubs. Basketball and football were more his speed. What clicked for him was a simpler, more relaxed kind of play: shorter rounds and weekend games built for fun rather than formality. The kind of golf that resonated for him felt accessible, effortless, and surprisingly his lifestyle.
Courtesy of Sunday Golf
He noticed something else, too.
On a course where five clubs do the job, players were still lugging 14. So Galvin built something smaller. Lighter. A bag designed specifically for par-3 rounds, the Loma Bag is sleek, functional, and refreshingly unfussy. It’s practical minimalism in a sport known for excess.
Sunday Golf was slated to launch in January 2020. Then, COVID hit. Shipments stalled; lost at sea. The future felt shaky. But the series of catastrophes for the young company turned out to be anything but: By the time inventory arrived that August, golf had become one of the few activities people could safely do.
“It introduced and brought so many people back to the game,” Galvin says. “It created a habit for a lot of people, which is a big reason golf is on its growth trajectory.”
It turns out Americans can’t get enough of golf. Forty-eight million of them swung clubs last year, a 41 percent jump since 2019, and the National Golf Foundation says the total could top 50 million by the end of 2026.
The brand rode this unlikely momentum. Since 2021, Sunday Golf has expanded into larger lightweight bags and continues evolving from there. A major reason for the company’s success is its approachability, a value so central that it’s literally written on the office walls in the form of the company’s guiding mission: “Get 500,000 golfers having more fun by 2027.” This goal is measured, fittingly, by golf bags sold.
Sunday Golf has already passed 300,000 bags sold.
But the numbers aren’t the point.
Courtesy of Sunday Golf
“To remind the world that life is meant to be enjoyed,” Galvin says of the brand’s why. In an era dominated by screens, golf offers something analog. “People are outside, touching grass with their friends. A golf bag is a golf bag, but our products are vehicles to help support that.”
Unlike legacy golf giants promising proximity to Rory McIlroy-level greatness, Sunday Golf leans into what Galvin jokingly calls “diet golf” or “golf light”—weekend rounds, driving range sessions, company scrambles. The bags are built for the casual golfer, and the fit feels obvious.
That philosophy resonates across Southern California, where year-round sunshine means golf courses never really hibernate for winter. As Galvin puts it, “the laid-back lifestyle of San Diego kind of seeps into everyone’s veins.”
Sometimes the validation arrives via email: a 76-year-old customer is able to walk the course again because their golf bag is lighter. Parents are able to take their children out with Sunday Golf’s kids line.
For Galvin, that’s the real win. Not perfection. Not prestige. Just more people outside, enjoying themselves. In San Diego, that might be the most natural mission of all.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
At the top of a golf swing, the world settles into a hush. Anyone within 50 yards kindly shuts up in reverence. Steady heartbeats tuck inside the sound of the wind. Time stands still.
Or—panic sets in, a thousand warnings from coaches and YouTube tutorials prattle through your brainpan. You wonder if a good walk prepares to be ruined.
On descent, the club rearranges air particles as it slices on a perfect or unwise line toward an earth so green, it seems like AI. The iron face meets the ball, and the satisfying or unsettling thwack echoes across the fairway like a nonviolent gunshot or a cry for help. Breath catches, curse words load in the prefrontal cortex. Eyes squint to follow the hard-to-see projectile zip majestically through the air or bounce lamely along the ground like a failed hurdler.
Sometimes it goes a couple hundred yards in the right direction, other times a couple yards into uncaring swamps. Golf’s beautiful and hard as hell.
Mindfulness and stillness reign over speed and might—which goes against most basal American instincts regarding sport. Its quiet, serene mocking of our human abilities is what brings so many of us to the life-long process of sharpening the skill. Because who hasn’t stared at the most beautiful parks and lawns in the world and said, “How can I turn this into a game and win it?”
Luckily, San Diego has an abundance of courses to improve and curate self-doubt. The county is home to over 70 courses that attract the top golfers in the country. Some of the biggest names in the sport—Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, Titleist, Odyssey, Honma—are based here. Perfect weather never hurts. But San Diego golf courses also promise a smorgasbord of terrains: rocky canyons, hot deserts, and lush greens overlooking the expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
If you could take the 1,300-ish holes around San Diego and pick the very best ones to create your ultimate course, which would they be? We asked some of the top golf pros in the county to do just that. The result? San Diego’s Dream 18. Think fantasy football but for golf.
Just like any great course, our Dream 18 includes four par 3s, 10 par 4s, and four par 5s—everything from tricky dog legs and psychological tee shots to just pretty, pretty views. Once we had our list, we either asked the head golf pro what makes a hole so special, or other pros spoke on its behalf. Go ahead, tell us what we missed.
“One of the most iconic par 3s on the West Coast. The cliffside setting above the Pacific and the constant ocean breeze make it both beautiful and demanding.”
—Anthony Valverde, Director of Golf, The Crosby Club atRancho Santa Fe
“It’s a downhill par 3 over water with a great view from the tee down to the green. It’s surrounded by bunkers as well, so it almost feels like an island green even though it’s not. What’s really cool is once you drive to the next hole, if you look back on No. 14, it’s a great view as well. One of the signature holes [at Santaluz].”
“Hole 15 is widely considered one of the best and most memorable holes on the course. At about 250 yards, it’s a long downhill with multiple tiers and panoramic views into the valley. It looks intimidating at first, but there are lots of recovery contours and the green is fairly large.”
“While it’s beautiful with the backdrop of the Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean, this finishing hole demands both precision and nerve. The water guarding the right side and fairway bunkers ahead create a visually striking, strategic tee shot, while the expansive green rewards a confident, well-placed approach. If you can make a par on this hole, you’ve played it very well.”
“The 18th hole at Del Mar CC is a demanding par 4 with an elevated tee box. Water guards the right side of the green, and a player must hit a precise shot into this green.”
“It’s a difficult 428-yard par 4 playing into the predominant west wind. The hole is post-renovation and the vegetation was trimmed back, so now it exposes a penalty on the right. It’s uncomfy at the tee but a good challenge. Plus, it’s the No. 1 handicap for [all players].”
—Chris Lungo, Head Golf Pro, Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
Lili Kim is a content coordinator and writer for San Diego Magazine, with experience highlighting local businesses and communities. When not writing or shooting film, she is likely brewing her seventh cup of tea of the day or strolling along Sunset Cliffs.
Back in 1968, Lou Smith, John Brown, and Norrie West decided that the San Diego Junior Golf Association would host the Junior World Golf Championships. The goal was simple: to enable junior golfers to come together and enjoy a cultural exchange while sharing the game of golf. In its inaugural year, an impressive 475 junior golfers came from seven countries and 20 states.
It’s now known as the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. Some of its past winners have gone on to enjoy famed careers in the PGA and LPGA. Among them: John Cook, Craig Stadler, Amy Alcott, Billy Mayfair, Corey Pavin, Phil Mickelson, David Toms, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Chris Riley, Lorena Ochoa, Pat Perez, Kevin Stadler, and Jason Day.
During the early years, these young talents stood posing for pictures and never imagined those photos would later be used in numerous golf magazines and TV montages to chronicle their success stories. But today, junior golfers know what’s at stake, and dream of walking in the footsteps of their heroes.
From July 14 to 18, about 1,200 participants representing 56 countries and 42 states will come to various courses around San Diego to compete—making this event the largest international junior golf tournament in the world. It is also a college coach’s dream—we’re talking recruiting utopia. Most colleges don’t have the funds for international recruiting, so this offers the opportunity to scout the top international players without having to leave the country. Last year, 124 college coaches attended, and that number is expected to increase this year.
It’s hard to imagine the pressure these kids face today. The time, effort, and financial commitment, mixed with lofty scholarship and career goals, make this tourney a defining one for junior golfers. But while there’s a lot on the line, the goal remains the same: to bring talented youngsters together and make the world a better place through the game of golf. juniorworldgolf.com
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
Back in 1968, Lou Smith, John Brown, and Norrie West decided that the San Diego Junior Golf Association would host the Junior World Golf Championships. The goal was simple: to enable junior golfers to come together and enjoy a cultural exchange while sharing the game of golf. In its inaugural year, an impressive 475 junior golfers came from seven countries and 20 states.
It’s now known as the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. Some of its past winners have gone on to enjoy famed careers in the PGA and LPGA. Among them: John Cook, Craig Stadler, Amy Alcott, Billy Mayfair, Corey Pavin, Phil Mickelson, David Toms, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Chris Riley, Lorena Ochoa, Pat Perez, Kevin Stadler, and Jason Day.
During the early years, these young talents stood posing for pictures and never imagined those photos would later be used in numerous golf magazines and TV montages to chronicle their success stories. But today, junior golfers know what’s at stake, and dream of walking in the footsteps of their heroes.
From July 14 to 18, about 1,200 participants representing 56 countries and 42 states will come to various courses around San Diego to compete—making this event the largest international junior golf tournament in the world. It is also a college coach’s dream—we’re talking recruiting utopia. Most colleges don’t have the funds for international recruiting, so this offers the opportunity to scout the top international players without having to leave the country. Last year, 124 college coaches attended, and that number is expected to increase this year.
It’s hard to imagine the pressure these kids face today. The time, effort, and financial commitment, mixed with lofty scholarship and career goals, make this tourney a defining one for junior golfers. But while there’s a lot on the line, the goal remains the same: to bring talented youngsters together and make the world a better place through the game of golf. juniorworldgolf.com
When Ryan Pickett played in Greg Jenning’s celebrity golf tournament three years ago he was not considered a golfer by any means. He agreed to play in the tournament because he wanted to support his friend’s event and thought, “Come on, how hard could the game really be?” After all, he WAS playing Defensive End for the Green Bay Packers at the time AND he had a Super Bowl Ring. Certainly he could hit a stationary little white ball around a patch of grass. He ended up playing with a group of older gentlemen and found out he couldn’t even begin to hang with them. He was incredibly embarrassed (and humbled), and was immediately hooked. He decided he would take up the game seriously not only because he wanted to play in future charity events with confidence, but also because the challenge of the game was addicting.
Three years later, he plays an average of three times per week in the off season and finds that it is a great way to spend time with his kids, in particular his 6 year old son RJ. Asked to recall one of his most memorable and humorous moments on the golf course, he doesn’t hesitate. He quickly dives into story-telling mode with a smile on his face and describes the time (just this past year) when he and RJ were driving together in a golf cart and Ryan made a sharp turn a little too quickly. RJ went flying out and when his tumbling came to a stop he quickly jumped up and couldn’t stop laughing. (To his father’s relief.) Once he knew his son was fine, Ryan appreciated the humor in it as well. It was the first of many memorable moments with his sons on the golf course. That is what is so great about the game of golf. Playing the game itself is a lot of fun, but the moments in between shots are pretty special, too.
Two of Ryan’s favorite San Diego courses are The Grand Del Mar (very challenging yet fair) and Maderas Golf Club for its many elevation changes and the way the holes wind through nature so seamlessly.
Ryan is finding that the game of golf is not only an enjoyable way to spend time, but it can be a very effective tool and platform as well. He hosts The Ryan Pickett Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and “Black and White” Dinner Party, benefiting the San Pasqual Academy in San Diego and the Alzheimer’s Association (San Diego Chapter). This year the event will take place June 20 and 21. The weekend kicks off Friday evening at Pamplemousse Grille with the “Black & White” Dinner Party followed by golf the next day at The Grand Golf Club. It is sure to be an exciting weekend filled with a variety of music, spectacular food, rare auction items, and some pretty special celebrity sightings.
After learning more about everything Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, do for those in need I found myself incredibly touched and inspired. What they is doing for so many foster children truly makes anyone who hears his story stand up and take notice. Before learning more about him I was simply a fan of Ryan Pickett the football player. Now I’m a fan of Ryan Pickett the man.
For more information about The Ryan Pickett Foundation or The Ryan Pickett Annual Celebrity Golf Classic & “Black and White” Dinner Party, visit theryanpickettfoundation.com.
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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