Grand Golf Club San Diego - California - USA

I have had the opportunity to play the course twice. The first when the facility was called The Meadows Del Mar. It has since been changed to the Grand Golf Club.

Tom Fazio did a fine effort with the course but in terms of achieving anything of a high order when held against the top tier designs he has done in his career the Grand Golf Club is simply in the middle of the pack.

The facility provides a slew of services for those staying at the resort. There's little question on the amenity side those going will certainly be pampered.

The course is routed well on the rolling property. But from the standpoint of compelling architecture the Grand is merely good.

I have always enjoyed the par-4 8th -- a dog-leg left of 454 yards. Being able to marry distance and having the wherewithal to turn the ball to the left is an absolute must here.

Of the two sides I prefer the inward half. The holes are a bit more varied and the terrain clearly plays a role. Be mindful of the demanding long par-3 17th -- 242 yards with water hugging the left side.

The Grand Golf Club clearly provides the Fazio "look" but the overall nature of what the golf provides only provides fleeting moments that really deliver the goods. A pity -- because the possibilities are there.

M. James Ward