Pauma Valley Country Club is a private country club tucked away in the natural beauty of the foothills of Palomar Mountain, San Diego North County. It's the location, history of the club and the Pauma Valley lifestyle that make this club so special.
The club features one of the best golf courses in California that is always maintained at the highest level. The spectacularRobert Trent Jones, Sr. Signature Golf Course opened for play on November 1, 1960. The views from several of the holes are absolutely breathtaking! Pauma Valley Country Club has hosted Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, been listed as a top 100 club in the U.S. and top 10 club in California by Golf Digest, hosted the US Open qualifier many times and have hosted many other high-profile golf events.
Pauma Valley members enjoy the pool complex, tennis courts, practice facility, newly renovated fitness room, fly-in airstrip, woodworking shop, incredible Grill Room, outdoor terrace and cottages.
Billy Graham, who was a member for eight years and often returned for vacations, was once asked what he thought Heaven looked like to which he responded, "I hope it looks a lot like Pauma Valley, California".
The first hole at Pauma Valley is a 529-yd par 5. Palmer's third shot is a chip shot approach which finishes only 6 feet away! Nicklaus, Souchak and Player all have long putts for birdie and all miss, but Arnie cans his and he and Gary are one-up after one hole. The second hole is a 390-yard par 4. After a 270-yard drive, Nicklaus hits a 120-yd nine-iron shot to within 18 inches of the cup and holes out! Palmer is shown in slow motion as he hits out of a bunker to the back edge of the green. Player's nine-iron shot finishes 12 feet away. Arnold misses his 40-foot birdie try, but Gary drains his 13-foot putt to match Jack' birdie and both teams halve the hole with Arnie and Gary still one-up. Since the third, fourth and fifth holes are all halved in par, action resumes on the 415-yard par 4 6th hole. Palmer's 2-iron second shot rolls only two feet past the hole. Gary's second stops 15 feet away. Nicklaus and Souchak both have difficult third shots, Mike's from a front bunker. Jack's third shot from below the hole runs about 4 feet past the hole, but Gary Player makes his 12-foot birdie try, and he and Arnold are now 2-up in the match.
Action is shown on the ninth hole, a 392-yd par 4, and both teams halve the hole in par. The tee shots of all four golfers are shown in slow motion as they drive on the 387-yd par 4 tenth hole. After a free drop, Mike Souchak hits a 2-iron second shot to within 20' of the hole at #10. All three other players hit 5-iron shots to the green, but after Souchak's birdie, Palmer must sink a 13-foot putt to tie the hole. He misses and his and Gary's lead has been cut in half!
The 11th is a 545-yd par 5 with a dogleg left and numerous bunkers. Souchak's 3-wood shot lands on the front of the green and he has a chance for an eagle! But, he three-putts while Nicklaus makes birdie on a 12-foot downhiller. Palmers third shot finishes six feet away and Arnold's birdie matches Jack as both teams halve the hole in one under.
At the 378-yd par 4 13th hole, Nicklaus' birdie try stops only 2 inches short! Again Palmer is within nine feet of the hole after his second shot, and his birdie puts him and Gary two-up again. Close ups are shown of Palmer's putting grip and stance.
At the 465-yd par 4 14th hole, both Jack and Mike find fairway bunkers with their tee shots and must scramble! Gary's second shot is a 2-iron to the green, about 30 feet from the cup and his next shot goes in for a birdie! Souchak's 5-foot try for birdie misses, and so Arnie and Gary are three up with only three holes to play!
The 16th at Pauma Valley is a 207-yd par three. Once again, the tee shots of all four players are shown in slow motion. Player comes closest to the hole on his drive, about 5 feet away! Jack's tee shot lands on the fringe of the green, and his long birdie try hits the back of the cup, bounces up and rolls away. With Arnold in the bunker, Player's try for a birdie goes a foot past, but Gary ends the match with his one foot par putt coming back!
