TEMECULA, Calif. — (Jan. 22, 2018) – Of more than 60 golf courses throughout the Inland Southern California region, Journey at Pechanga took the award for “Best Playing Conditions” for the year ending 2017 by Greenskeeper.org, the most credible and longstanding golf course review platform. The website’s management explains the award was derived by analyzing the last 12 months of online ratings and reviews submitted by site users and their more than 70,000 members. Journey at Pechanga’s greenskeeping staff calls the award a testament to the team’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the terrain.
Some recent Greenskeeper.org user excerpts about the Pechanga golf course include:
From mpisarski01: “The greens were probably the best part of the course as they where (sic) medium firm and running quick once the morning dew was gone. We were informed that because of a tournament going out at 9 that the pins were in some very tough locations and always expect a break away from the hills and towards the Casino/valley.”
From paulpar: “Course was in excellent shape with greens running fast at 10. The fairways were will maintained and bunkers full of soft manageable sand. Its a physically taxing layout that requires taking higher risk reward shots to score. I’ll be back to improve on the score!”
From putt4dough: “Overall the course is in super condition, it has great views and character throughout the layout of the track. It should be a must play for your Bucket List for 2018.”
The Pechanga people have lived in the Temecula Valley for thousands of years and have deep reverence and connection to the land. Part of the mission at Journey at Pechanga is to protect the native plants and wildlife to honor ancestors and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. The superintendent’s team must constantly analyze and find solutions for things out of their control – weather, soil condition and perhaps the biggest one, pests. Journey at Pechanga maintains an ecologically friendly catch-and-release policy when dealing with unwanted birds, rodents and other animals. During the winter, migrating coots settle on the course by the hundreds and leave toxic droppings. Taking a kinder, gentler approach to moving the birds, Journey’s greenskeepers actually treat them hospitably. They put out bird feed for them in an area well away from the greens and fairways. It is just one example of how the look of the course stays pristine through natural, chemical-free methods. Open seven days a week, it takes strategic planning to stay ahead of the curve in catching potential problems such as possible turf diseases before they become obvious.
Opened in August 2008, Journey is actually considered 10,000 years in the making by the Luiseño people. The name comes from the Luiseño word “pomniv,” meaning “the path that was once traveled.” Each hole bears a Luiseño name that speaks to landmarks, animals or terrain features found in that particular area of the course. What sets Journey apart from other courses throughout the state is the fact that its routing makes golfers better. The par 72, 7,219-yard Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest-designed championship facility allows for soaring drives and maneuverable approach shots to the greens, though players need to use strategy as much as skill to avoid trouble that comes in the form of majestic water features, venerable oak trees that shape the fairways and natural habitat for indigenous wildlife.
Journey at Pechanga is ranked one of the top public California and casino courses by Golfweek Magazine. It serves as one of the approachably luxurious amenities found at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California, located minutes off Interstate 15 between San Diego and Los Angeles.