Double Eagle for Maderas Course: Top-100 Ranking by Golf Digest

It was rarer than back-to-back holes-in-one. But Bill O’Brien is grateful someone noticed.

O’Brien, general manager of Maderas Golf Club in Poway, said his course never “sought out” recognition as being one of the Top 100 Public Golf Courses in the nation by Golf Digest.

“It’s a pretty prestigious award,” O’Brien said. “It’s like the Academy Awards for golf. I cannot understate how significant this award is.”

O’Brien is right. There are more than 15,000 golf courses in the United States, about 900 in California and 93 in San Diego County. Torrey Pines was the only other golf course named in the county.

For the record, Pebble Beach was No. 1 overall, Torrey was No. 38, and Maderas was No. 89.

Said Golf Digest:

A rare core design with residential homes amidst rock-dotted hillsides around its perimeter, Maderas features ponds, lakes, creek gulches, dry washes, canyons and chasms as hazards and sports some of the longest greens in southern California. Its setting below the San Jacinto mountain range is invigorating.

Maderas, which became open to the public in 1999 and employs about 90 people, offers an 18-hole golf course and caters to players at all levels. There’s also 40 acres of native habitat and creeks, which ultimately offer a unique experience, O’Brien says.

“We really focus on customer service, course conditioning, amenities and safeguarding our environment,” O’Brien said. “It’s an innovative club.”

Golf Digest panelists played and scored courses on seven criteria: shot values, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning and ambience.

The club, which also has an academy for learners, costs about $135-$170 for a play.

For more information, visit maderasgolf.com