Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is a destination that instantly gives every visitor an impression of magnificence. Located in very near proximity to Santa Barbara, the resort has gained quite a reputation due to its facilities, looks, and size. Just by looking at the pictures online, one can get an idea of how mesmerizing the place is. Its glory was not left unnoticed, considering that the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is considered one of the best golf courses in the area.
In the following paragraphs, you can read about the long history of the place and the establishment of the golf course. In addition, information about visitors’ opinions will also be provided. What’s more, the resort has numerous facilities, so these will be listed, as well. Those who are interested in visiting the place will certainly find the information on this page quite useful. Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is the perfect spot for any golf devotee and for everyone who tries to escape their everyday life for a while.
The History and Founding of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Gourse
The Rancho San Marcos Golf Course first opened its doors back in 1998. Ever since the beginning, the location has enjoyed massive interest from people all around the world. This location hosted many major events and had some record-breaking bets placed within the best online sportsbooks for golf. The surrounding nature was and still is one of the things that impresses every new and former visitor. The site is awe-inspiring, and the total area is approximately 298 acres. The history of Rancho San Marcos is much older than that. It is believed that it dates more than 9,000 years back in time.
The Chumash People
It is believed that the very first people who settled in the Rancho San Marcos area were the Chumash people. They were known for their cave paintings, bead making, and incredible skills in basketry. The Chumash settlements were in Santa Barbara, mainly constructed in close proximity to lakes, springs, and lagoons. The reason why it’s said that people from the Chumash tribes were the first to live on the site was that a shred of archeological evidence was found. In addition, in Santa Barbara County, there are many areas with rocks with paintings on them.
As mentioned above, cave painting was one of main Chumash’s traits. They believed that their rock drawings would help them acquire extraordinary powers from different creatures. In addition to this, in the middle of the 1500s, a Spanish explorer traveled near the land of the Rancho San Marcos and met with the Chumash people, which proves that they were, in fact, some of the very first settlers.
Santa Barbara Mission and the Den Brothers
The Rancho San Marcos was created by the Santa Barbara Mission and included a number of facilities including:
- a chapel
- a shed
- dwellings
- a wine cellar
After its establishment, the Chumash people were given the opportunity to perform different activities. They raised different cultures and took care of the cattle. Back in the days, the Rancho San Marcos land was dry and rough, and there were wild animals surrounding the area. In 1846, the rancho was bought by the Den brothers. They did everything possible to exterminate the wild animals and cultivate the land. In 1868, it became the property of William Pierce, who was the owner of a rancho nearby.
The Establishment of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
It becomes obvious that Rancho San Marcos went through many obstacles and changes during the years. Dwight Murphy was one of the last owners of the place, and when he retired, he sold the Rancho to Robert S. Odell. The family of Odell farmed various cultures, including hay, and bred the cattle for a long time. Finally, in 1998 the Golf Course became a reality. At present day, the resort includes several barns, a clubhouse, an office, residencies for workers on the course, as well as a pond. Now, its owner is the billionaire Ty Wander.
Rancho San Marcos Golf Course: Location and Facilities
The Rancho San Marcos Golf Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior who is a well-known golf course architect. Many of his creations have been added to various rankings, including The Top 10 Course You Can Play by GOLF Magazine, Top 10 US Public Golf Courses by USGA Golf Journal, and so on. Just a few minutes away from Santa Barbara, the Rancho San Marcos takes everyone on an unforgettable journey. The area surrounding the golf course is so wild yet so soothing.
Everyone will enjoy mesmerizing views, lovely weather, and a time well-spent in nature. Unlike many other golf courses, this one ensures a complete nature experience, deprived of any urban elements. Visitors will lose track of time while playing their favorite game or walking around the endless paths surrounded by various plants. Wherever you look, you will see towering mountains and evergreen trees.
The site where Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is located is quite intriguing. The reason being is that it encircles three topographical zones that are completely different from each other. Even though this appeared to be quite a challenge for the designer and its team, they still managed to do an excellent job.
The zoning of the golf course has taken a long time because the approval was not granted for more than ten years. Once it was given, however, the strategical placement of the golf holes began. Their positioning begins on the valley floor, to a highland meadow, and in due course, reaches a higher mountain ridge. In the end, the line of the golf holes goes back to the highland.
When guests play on the course, they will be able to stop and appreciate the view in front of them. The Santa Ynez River Valley is visible from the land of the field. Additionally, as aforesaid, there are no buildings to ruin the magnificence and pureness of the land. A few other well-known golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. are:
- The Kensington Golf and Country Club
- The Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex
- The Onyria Palmares Beach and Golf Resort
- The Kalúhyat Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort and Casino
- The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club
Wildlife and Nature
Those who visit the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course leave the place with a feeling of tranquility not only because the facility guarantees a memorable experience but also because the nature surrounding the place, as well as the wildlife, contribute to a lovely experience. In the past, the area was dwelled by all types of wild animals – grizzly bears, bobcats, and mountain lions. They destroyed the cattle and were seen as a huge threat to the farmers living there.
Nickolas and Richard Den, however, cultivated the land and eventually managed to deal with the frequent animals’ attacks. Nowadays, the wildlife on Rancho San Marcos Golf Course includes wild turkey, deer, and eagles. The gigantic evergreen live oaks create lovely shadowy spots and make the place even more beautiful.
Additional Facilities in the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
Even though most people visit the area to play golf on a land surrounded by nothing but nature, the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course offers a few additional facilities guests can enjoy. Without a doubt, the breathtaking views can be considered the biggest perks of the land. Nonetheless, visitors will also have access to a few other amenities if they take a short car trip.
The rancho is located a few minutes away west of Goleta and east of Solvang. The latter is a small Danish-style city known for its numerous wineries and the Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Whichever place you choose to visit after your golf session, you will surely find many small and cozy restaurants where you can take a bite. If the weather’s convenient, you may even enjoy a few hours under the sun on the Goleta beach.
The Golf Course: Type, Fees, Opening Season, Holes, and Length
Some of the things that appear to be of greatest interest to future visitors are the length of the golf course, the open season, as well as the number of the holes. First and foremost, the facility will gladly welcome any visitor during the weekend or the weekdays. Regardless if you want to play on Monday or Thursday, you will have no trouble doing so. The only condition you’ll have to fulfill as a client will be to book your reservation in advance.
Secondly, the overall length of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is 6,939 yards, and the number of holes equals 18. As for fees, the prices vary depending on the day of a client’s visit. For example, on weekdays from Monday to Thursday, the entrance fee per visitor equals $79. During the weekend and on Fridays, however, the price is a bit higher. If you wish to gain access to the playground during these days, you will have to pay $104.
Guests can rent golf carts, and they can walk wherever they want. This is one of the biggest perks of the area since this gives you the opportunity to admire the endless beauty in front of you while playing your favorite sport. Certain places of this type do not permit visitors to walk in the entire area. Nonetheless, the case with Rancho San Marcos is not like that.
And last but not least, the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is open throughout the whole year. This means that you’ll have the chance to pay the place a visit during the spring, summer, fall, or winter. The friendly staff will make sure you are given anything you need to have an excellent and unproblematic golf gaming experience.
Difficulty of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
Another thing that concerns all potential visitors is the difficulty of the golf course. According to experts and former visitors who have spent a fair amount of time playing on the field, the level of difficulty of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is moderate. This would mean that complete novices may find it a bit hard at first, but after an hour or so, they’ll get better. Veterans, on the other hand, will have no trouble getting used to the golf field. However, they also will not get bored because of the simplicity of the course. In other words, the difficulty of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is just right.
Reputation of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
The beauty and nature of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course have contributed to the establishment of the immaculate reputation the facility has. People from many parts of the world visited the place, and the vast majority of them left with nothing but superb experience and great memories. The surrounding area surely is one of the things that make this golf course different from the rest.
Being presented with the chance to play on land where you can see nothing but nature surely is a rarity, considering the built-up world we live in. Nowadays, it is not a simple task to discover a place offering tranquility and scarcity of anything urban-like. The Rancho San Marcos Golf Course attracts so many visitors because it is completely deprived of urban developments.
Additionally, all guests are treated with immense respect by the professional staff who ensures that everyone has anything they need. Depending on the season visitors go to the course, they’ll have to deal with different conditions. The summer is the perfect season for lovers of hot weather; however, during fall, you are advised to bring a warm jacket with you. The fact that the facility is open throughout the whole year gives everyone a chance to visit it at a time convenient for them.
Last but not least, the excellent ranking of the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is due to the fact that its location permits guests to make their experience even more enjoyable by visiting the cities nearby. By driving no more than 15 minutes, people can explore the numerous amenities in Goleta and Solvang.