Willow Glen: The gem of Sycuan Golf Resort near San Diego in southern California
EL CAJON, Calif. -- The Willow Glen Course is the crown jewel of 54-hole Sycuan Golf Resort, located in the beautiful Dehesa Valley northeast of San Diego.
The 6,651-yard course has more elevation changes than the Oak Glen Course, and Pine Glen, an executive course with 18 par 3s. Cecil Holingsworth originally designed the entire complex, but Ted Robinson, Sr., came in for a rebuild after some severe flooding. Views of the surrounding hills create a memorable day.
Willow Glen's signature holes are quite spectacular. The par-4 fourth drops off of an elevated tee to a green guarded by a pond. Another water hazard, this one fed by a waterfall, protects no. 12, a 174-yard par 3 in the shadow of a mountainside. Interestingly, both nines end in par 3s -- the 184-yard 9th and 168-yard 18th.
Stay-and-play packages are available at the nearby hotel, a collection of buildings home to 100 rooms, all near a small resort pool. With additional dining and gambling at the Sycuan Casino, the resort sells the total package for golfers looking for a nice getaway. Shuttles are available from the resort to the casino, so there's no need to worry about having too much fun at night.