The Valley Club was designed by Allister MacKenzie and his engineer, Robert Hunter, author of the fine architectural manifest, The Links. The course opened in 1929 just at the end of the hickory period. The course is set above the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful property for throwing a bag of hickories on your shoulder and setting off for a walk around the course.
The Club began a restoration process with Tom Doak and Jim Urbina several years ago which is being continued by Todd Eckenrode. The process has resulted in rough being replaced by short grass and in the greenside bunkering being well tied into the greensites. The ball rolls out pretty well. As a result, even the 6350 white tees are a pleasure to play with hickories.
The routing is very good. There are a few loops of several holes one can play. Below is a view of the 14th green in the foreground leading to the par 5 15th which climbs up to the classic clubhouse.
The Valley Club has excellent canted greens. The golfer who is unaware will find one's ball in the fairway with no way to get the ball close to the hole if the angle is wrong. This is a classic hickory course that requires strategy and cunning. And the one shotter par 3's are strong at this course. Check out the short 4th below requiring a well struck niblick below the hole to have a good birdie try.
The 11th at 165 yards from the whites requires a solid mid-iron or strong mashie to a green well canted from the left to the right. The creek crossing well in front of the green is not in play unless the shot is hit fat as the author hit his. Would you believe I was between clubs? Another good Valley Club hole.
The Valley Club has a great walking culture. Carry your own or throw the hickories on a push cart. The walks from green to tee are generally just a putt away. What a wonderful course for hickories.
Pictures courtesy of Golf Club Atlas and Max's.
For more info, check out the write up on www.golfclubatlas.com
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