Designed by Legends
The course is the creation of William P. Bell and son William F. Bell. Bell, Sr. is credited with such courses as the La Jolla Country Club and San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista. He conceived the vision for Torrey Pines before his death in 1953, leaving it to his son for completion.
A City Course
Owned and maintained by the City of San Diego, Torrey Pines opened as a municipal course in 1957.
Two Courses
Torrey Pines boasts two 18-hole championship courses: North and South.
We Are Farmers
The Century Club of San Diego and Farmers Insurance Group present the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open February 5–8 this year. Begun as the San Diego Open in 1952, it moved to Torrey Pines as the Andy Williams San Diego Open in 1968, and now generates an economic impact of more than $25 million.
“Fore” Charity
The Farmers Insurance Open’s Birdies for Charity program raised $830,000 in 2014 for local groups focused on education, families, and at-risk youth. Already, for 2015, Farmers Insurance has committed $175,000 to 12 local children’s charities.
Natural Neighbors
The golf course is not part of the Torrey Pines State Reserve. When the State of California became the owners of the reserve in 1956, nearly 100 acres were appointed to the city for construction of a public course.
Resident Status
Because it’s a public course, SD residents receive deep discounts on greens fees. Weekday rates for locals on the South course are $61, compared to $183 for non-residents, and just $40 for the North course, compared to $100 for non-residents.
Such a Steal
Residents can practically play for free on winter afternoons. Twilight rates this month begin at 1 p.m., meaning as much as a $30 discount, depending on the course and day of the week.
High Ratings
More than 31 million Americans watch February’s Open, broadcast in 140 countries during 20-plus hours of live television.
Ka-ching!
As the 2021 U.S. Open host, the City of San Diego is set to receive at least $2.5 million, $2 million more than it received in 2008.
2021, Here We Come
Torrey Pines is the future site of the 2021 U.S. Open Championship. It last hosted the tournament in 2008, when an injured Tiger Woods walked away with the title after 90 holes and a sudden-death playoff.
Inside the Icon: Torrey Pines Golf Course
Photo courtesy of Farmers Insurance
