Dove Canyon Golf Club, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, USA

https://www.pacificlinks.com/Dove-Canyon-Golf-Club



Passing the gates of the Dove Canyon residential community the feeling I was reaching a very special place was raising.
Dove Canyon is unique. For its beauty, for its design, and for the vision the architect had on creating a golf course on this incredible location emphasizing the natural terrain of the property.
Dove Canyon Golf Club, name recently changed by the new owner from Dove Canyon Country Club, is a Jack Nicklaus creation, the only Golden Bear Signature course in Orange County. A private course located at the base of the Saddleback Mountain and bordered by the Cleveland National Forest, not far from Rancho Santa Margarita.
This magnificent layout, a par 71 opened in 1991, runs for 6,903 yds (73,3 / 136) from the tips through lush rolling fairways, ravines, elevation changes and spectacular holes.

The first holes on the front nine play along some Villas of the local residential community. The long hcp 1 hole 5th, a superb 438 yds par 4 dogleg right, gives you an anticipation of what you'll find on the back nine. Before reaching Jack's Den, the nice halfway house snack bar located adjacent to the 1st and 10th tee, you must go through the challenging 555 yds par 5 9th, a typical Jack's hole, with two long fairways bunker on the left and O.B.s beyond.
Back nine, more secluded and challenging, starts with an awesome downhill par 3, before running down through the canyon, for a sequence of unforgettable holes featuring more elevation changes and great views.
A remarkable one is the 17th, a stunning 205 yds par 3, with a vertical drops of more then 150 feet to reach the green.
A great finishing hole is usually the one that makes a golf course memorable. Jack knows it and Dove Canyon's 18th is a terrific 432 yds par 4 that plays slightly uphill along a pond on the right to a two tiered green protected on the front by two bunkers and by a picturesque waterfall behind.

Overlooking the 18th, the beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright inspired clubhouse, elegant and warm inside, welcoming and casual on the outdoor terrace.

Since its opening the course has been recognized as one of the Top Courses in Orange County and California. It hosted several events like the 1993 Inaugural Pro Stakes Championship, a tournament which attracted a notable field of pros.

Today Dove Canyon is owned by Pacific Links International, a golf corporation that directly owns 9 golf club and has a network of more than 80 courses across the globe. PLI is planning to spend nearly $4.6 million on renovating the course.

A new era is dawning for Jack's jewel.

Jack's design sketch of the 7th

Jack's design sketch of the 9th

Clubhouse and putting green

#1 Hole 481 yds Par 5

#1 Hole 481 yds Par 5

#3 Hole 466 yds Par 4

#4 Hole 183 yds Par 5

#5 Hole 438 yds Par 4

#5 Hole 438 yds Par 4

#8 Hole 406 yds Par 4

#8 Hole 406 yds Par 4

#9 Hole 555 yds Par 5

#10 Hole 212 yds Par 3

#11 Hole 575 yds Par 5

#13 Hole 145 yds Par 3

#14 Hole 559 yds Par 5

#14 Hole 559 yds Par 5

#15 Hole 394 yds Par 4

#16 Hole 431 yds Par 4

#17 Hole 205 yds Par 3 (actual view from the tees)

#17 Hole 205 yds Par 3

#18 Hole 432 yds Par 4