During construction, the course decided to plant low-water-use bermudagrass on the tees, fairways and rough, in addition to incorporating drought-tolerant native grasses that can survive without irrigation in the rough and out-of-play areas. Since there is no additional water available for irrigation, the maintenance staff must utilize every drop to survive the hot summer season. The only source of water is runoff from the winter rains, which is collected in reservoirs, then recycled and reused for irrigation. Open at Merion Golf Club.Īs they grind out pars and birdies, they won’t know that the layout, part of the Barona Creek Resort set in the mountains northeast of San Diego, has many features that allow the course to remain sustainable in its high-desert setting.įrom its opening in 2001, Barona Creek has had to operate with a limited water supply.

Open local qualifier at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside, Calif., will encounter a beautiful, challenging course as they begin their quest to play in the U.S.