54 Indian Gaming April 2008

GOLF REVIEW

Blending beautifully with the natural land-scape of San Diego's rolling foothills,

Barona Creek Golf Club at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino offers one ofCalifornia's most inviting golf experiences,before, during and after a round. But don't letthe gorgeous setting lull you from focus onyour game, because this challenging course isas tough as the rugged terrain that surrounds it. Owned by theBarona Band of Mission Indians, the course was designed byGary Roger Baird Design International, with Todd Eckenrodeas lead architect. It was meticulously designed and landscapedutilizing the area's natural features to create a course that challenges, satisfies and rewards players of every skill level.

“We enjoy sharing our beautiful land with the commu-nity,” states Rhonda Welch-Scalco, Chairwoman of the BaronaBand of Mission Indians. “Our vision for this golf course wasto convey to visitors the Barona Tribe's tradition of living inharmony with nature and to provide golfers of all skill levelswith a fun and challenging game.”

Barona Creek's natural elegance, with gently flowing creeks,hardy California oaks, and native sods and grasses, lends a simple charm and rustic beauty, but its distinctive coursedesign elevates it to championship caliber. Barona Creek wasselected by the PGA Tour to be the home to the 2007 Nation-wide Tour Championship, won by Richard Johnson with a 20-under par 264. It will again host this prestigious tournament in 2010. “There isn't anything more exciting thanwatching top professional golfers from the Nationwide Tourcompete in their ultimate quest to join the PGA Tour,” said TimFinchem, Commissioner of the PGA Tour. “Golf rewardsgreat individual effort and you won't find a better setting to witness the heroic efforts of talented players than atthe Barona Creek Golf Club in San Diego.” The course hasalso been the host of many local events, including an LPGAFutures Tour event, the Barona Collegiate Cup featuring topcollege players and the San Diego PGA Chapter Championship.

Barona Creek is nearly 7,400 yards from the back tees, butoffers five sets of tees to accommodate players of all abilitiesand provides a formidable challenge for all. The championship

layout from the Black Tees boasts a course rating of 74.5 and139 slope and has earned Barona Creek a ranking as one of California's top courses, in good company with Pebble Beach,Spyglass Hill and Pasatiempo. The course is the recipient ofnumerous accolades and was rated the number five golf coursein California and 19th best resort course in the nation byGolfweek magazine, and the second best golf course in SanDiego, only one notch behind the legendary Torrey Pines, byTod Leonard of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Contributing to Barona Creek's reputation as a challeng-ing championship course are more than 100 bunkers andstrategically placed natural obstacles. Starting with the first hole,a slightly uphill par five that includes a giant oak tree in the center of the fairway, 70 yards from the green. The number onehandicap hole, the par four fourth, doglegs to the left and isbisected by an enormous bunker in the center of the fairway.The safe play is to drive to the right of the bunker. But players wanting to challenge themselves can play it to the left.The epitome of risk-reward, if played correctly, this shot willleave you with a short-iron to the green. If not, you'll be lostin the native grasses.

And there are plenty of native grasses, which are part ofan award-winning conservation program throughout theBarona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino property, includingthe golf course. At Barona Creek, fairways feature drought-tolerant Bermuda grass, and indigenous native grasses fill theopen space between the fairways. Throughout the property,sprinkler heads are individually controlled to ensure each areareceives only the amount of water needed and no more. Anon-site weather station is used to track daily environmentalconditions, allowing for fine-tuning the water distribution.

Barona's environmental efforts have been recognized by a

Barona Band of Mission Indian's

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variety of local and national organizations, including AudubonInternational's prestigious Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification. “It has been a pleasure for Audubon Interna-tional to work with the Barona Band of Mission Indians on the Barona Creek Golf Club project,” said NancyRichardson, the Audubon International Signature ProgramDirector. “We started the Signature Program to recognizepeople who embrace the concept of environmentally sustain-able development. This is the first such honor we havebestowed on a golf course in Southern California. It is a testament to the commitment of the Barona Band of MissionIndians to protect and preserve our precious natural resourceswhile providing facilities that people want and need.”

Sandy Clark, Barona Creek Golf Club's superintendent, wasnamed a 2004 Environmental Leader in Golf of the Year by theGolf Course Superintendents Association of America and GolfDigest, for Barona's commitment to environmental stewardship.The sensitivity to the course surroundings and the attention toevery detail on every hole have drawn acclaim and attention.

Southland Golf ranked the 18th hole as the number six mostchallenging hole in Southern California. From the back tee

this par 4 plays 472 yards into the prevailing wind. Veeringtoo far to the left puts you in the lake. And while there's plentyof room on the right, it's a tough spot from which to get upand down. The ideal aiming point is at the Barona GolfEvent Center, an unmistakable ranch-style building thatoffers 18,000 sq. ft. of space suitable for a variety of events,from casual to elegant, and can be divided into four uniquelyseparate venues. After coming off the monstrous 18th, mostplayers want to convene and commiserate at a lunch or dinner at the Golf Events Center.

Each meeting room is equipped with state-of-the-arttechnological amenities and services needed to ensure asuccessful meeting or social event, including audio andvisual equipment and high-speed Internet access. Andexpertly trained and experienced meeting and eventplanningprofessionals, who are committed to ensuring a successfulevent, are available to provide a comprehensive selection ofsupport services. “Our commitment to delivering qualityamenities and service is evident in every detail of the BaronaGolf Events Center,” said Rick Messura, assistant generalmanger of hospitality. “From the expert craftsmanship

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and warmly sophisticated décor to the seasoned staffand cuisine options, we offer a superior venue for alltypes of events.”

The Golf Events Center's catering department offersfresh, innovative global cuisine and menus for all tastesand budgets. Barona's Executive Chef Dean Thomas andrenowned culinary staff have created a mouthwateringselection of options for breakfast, lunch, receptions anddinner; each menu can be customized to meet a guest'swishes or to complement a themed event. But if you'remeeting and dining before heading out to the course, besure not to over do it, as you'll need all your energy forthe rest of Barona Creek's challenges, include the par four14th, considered by many to be the most fun hole on thecourse, with potential for eagle putts or double bogeysjust the same.

And, you may want to bring a camera along. Theentire course offers spectacular views, including the picturesque par four 15th hole. With the highest pointon the golf course, this hole offers a breath taking view of theentire Barona Valley Ranch. “We have worked on golf coursesaround the world,” said Gary Roger Baird. “But we found thatworking in the serene setting of the Barona Indian Reserva-

tion was one of the most inspiring projects we have beeninvolved with during our 30 years in the business.” ¨

For more information on Barona Creek Golf Club, visitwww.barona.com

GOLF REVIEW