Archive » August 3, 2007

Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

 

About 30 miles south of San Francisco on Highway 1 lays the luxurious Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay Resort. This project was 30 years in the making and well worth the wait. The hotel is set atop a rugged ocean bluff with views of the Pacific and two 18-hole championship courses, The Old Course and the newer Ocean Course.

Half Moon Bay is also only about a 30-minute drive from the heart of the Silicon Valley. The resort has the feel of having been there a long time even though it only opened in 2001. No doubt, the classic design of the hotel and the nightly bagpipe serenade contribute to this feel. The six-story main building was inspired by the grand sea lodges of the 19^th century and looks like it belongs in Newport, Rhode Island. William Randolph Hearst would have been right at home here.

The Old Course was built some 30-plus years ago and was designed by Arnold Palmer. It is a very challenging course and finishes with the 18^th hole running downhill along the ocean bluff toward the hotel. Guests of the hotel can sit by an outdoor bar with fire-pit and watch the golfers struggle with this 410-yard-dogleg right. Make sure you stay awake though because you are close enough to the green to catch an errant shot. Those more interested in nature can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific coastline and jagged beach just beyond the golfers.

The Ocean Course is the one I played on this trip. Well known golf architect Arthur Hills used his immense design talent to create a links course that promises to rival those in Scotland.

The Ocean Course exemplifies the true definition of a links course: a golf course along an oceanfront or seaside unrivaled by the intrusion of houses or roadways. The Pacific is in view from all 18 holes on this authentic Scottish layout.

As with many British Open courses you can have par fours that play almost as long as par fives. Such is the case with No. five which from the tips measures 473 yards and can be into the wind. No. seven is a great little par three, measuring 164 yards and all over water. The eighth is a reachable par five for big hitters at 503 yards, but you better be accurate. A huge bunker and a coyote brush guard the left side, which is the shortest route to the hole. As with most true links courses, the ninth hole does not come in, so be prepared. The back nine is the tougher of the two nines. Holes 10 through 15 meander through gently rolling terrain and include a par four, measuring 446 yards and a par three of 221 yards. The highlights of the Ocean Course though are holes 16, 17, & 18, which run along the ocean bluff and head toward the hotel. No. 16 is a downhill, par four of 387 yards. The fairway is generous, but the green is well guarded and a rather small target just above the naturally sculpted gorge. The 17^th is a very good par three of 186 yards. The tee shot plays downwind and try not to put one on the beach just below on the left. The 18^th hole is a par five of 532 yards. The tee shot is uphill and somewhat blind. From the top of the hill, the second shot and approach have the majestic Ritz-Carlton in the background.

These courses play a little longer than the scorecard would indicate due to the heavy coastal air. Also, bring extra clothing as the weather can change rather quickly. It’s hard to pick a favorite between the two, so play them both. But if you are looking for a Scottish feel, play the Ocean Course.

The Ritz-Carlton hotel is stunning and has a total of 261 rooms. Most of the restaurants and meeting rooms have spectacular views of the ocean and bluffs. There is an indoor, heated pool and a Jacuzzi closer to the rooms. My favorite though was the coastal walk along the bluffs. One good thing about the Coastal Commission is that they make new properties develop public paths. You can walk down along the Ocean Course for about a mile along the bluffs. There is also a very nice beach accessible just below the 18^th tee.

One warning though, stay away from the bluffs’ edge. Not more than 15 feet off the path is a sheer drop which is not always well marked. Be careful with the kids. Speaking of kids, they have an excellent in-house childcare program called Ritz-Kids. Whale watching, deep-sea fishing and horseback riding are also available. The Spa and Fitness centers are state-of-the-art as well.

For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com or call 650-712-7000.