The Valley Club of Montecito

Rankings

Golf Digest:  #80
Golfweek:  #38 Classic

The Valley Club clubhouse sits on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara, CA.  I played the course a couple times in U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifiers.  The first time I birdied the last three holes to shoot even and missed qualifying by a shot or two when the last group on the course had two guys break 70.  Tough luck.  

Despite my near miss, the course is incredible.  There are two distinct sides to VC.  The 1st, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th are on one side of the street situated in a meadow-like area.  The other side of the course winds through trees and runs along a creek.  Both sides are a great experience, although I enjoy the meadow holes more.  The clubhouse is old-school with lockers that seem to be a throwback to a simpler time.  They don't feel dated, they feel vintage.  Is that the same thing?  

Regardless, the Alister MacKenzie design is pure.  The greens complexes have a lot going on and I enjoy the mounding and closely shaved areas where you need to decide to putt or chip.  And boy are they fast.  This is definitely a must-play if you can pull off an invite.  I could play it daily and not tire of the layout.