built, opening to members in 1999. But when the first tech-bubble burst, so did the owners’ original intentions. In 2001, CordeValle went semi-private, with a new clubhouse and upscale accommodations supporting what was now a luxury resort. Amid the economic turmoil of the
time, some questioned the resort’s future, but never the quality of the course, which became a fixture on Top 100 rankings. True to its name, which means ‘heart of the valley,’ the layout sweeps through a secluded setting, an expansive quilt of creeks and meadows, fringed by vineyards, and studded with large oaks and sycamore trees. Jones Jr. left his imprint in craftily placed bunkers and water hazards, and in the subtle contours of the greens. He also took advantage of elevation changes, but he did so smartly, showing defer- ence to the natural tilt of the terrain. Unspoiled in its surroundings, the
The resort’s bungalows offer sweeping views of the property.
to CordeValle [from Hwy. 101]
Directions 70 miles SAN JOSE 30 miles miles 7
San Martin Avenue Exit
CordeValle miles 7
MONTEREY PENINSULA
45 miles 36 /
NCGA.ORG / SPRING 2016
MORGAN HILL
MARTIN GILROY SAN FRANCISCO SAN
Head south from San Francisco on Highway 101,
down through the land of Google, Facebook and IBM, beyond the built- up boundaries of the Silicon Valley. The subdivisions fade, giving way to greenery. Exit east toward the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The roadway narrows. Scrub oaks dot the landscape. Red-tailed hawks wheel overhead. An easy-to-miss turn-off in the small community of San Martin leads down a quiet drive to a low-slung guardhouse. You’ve arrived at Corde- Valle, a luxe property that began life as a sleeper but has gained a major place on the sporting map. In the mid-1990s, when CordeValle was first conceived, few envisioned it as a tournament venue, much less as the site for the U.S. Women’s Open, which will kick off here on July 7. The devel- opers behind it had in mind a private club, a high-end hideaway near a tech- rich urban center, anchored by a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. The course got
property is also striking in its scale. Though the course was originally built for members, the architect was given lots of room to work with, and he used it. From the forward tees, CordeValle is a sweet treat for the average player. Stretched to its 7,300-plus yard tips, it’s a tournament-worthy test. Sure enough, it has come to play
that role as well. From 2005 to 2014, CordeValle
hosted the Gifford Collegiate Cham- pionship, a prestigious event that drew such future Tour stalwarts as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. In 2010, along came the PGA Tour itself. For four consecutive years, Corde-
Valle served as the stage for the Frys. com Open, a shoulder-season event whose fields featured a healthy list of major winners, including Davis Love III, Ernie Els, Angel Cabrera, Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods. None of those players nabbed the title. But Rocco Mediate did, followed by Bryce Molder, Jonas Blixt and Jimmy Walker. In 2014, the
Frys.com relocated to
Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa, but by then CordeValle had also caught the eye of the USGA, which awarded the resort the 2013 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.
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