I left my heart in San Diego
I love San Diego. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and I love this area of the country, but there’s something about San Diego that has always appealed to me.
Grandpa “Choo-Choo”
When I was little, my family made regular visits to southern California. My great grandfather (who we referred to as “Grandpa Choo-Choo” because of his fondness for playing the Chattanooga Choo Choo on his organ) lived in Murrieta and we would visit him every year, usually around Spring Break. We alternated between visiting Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park in Temecula and occasionally Legoland or Disneyland. Sadly, Grandpa Choo-Choo passed in 2009, but by that time, San Diego had made its impression on me.
Junior Worlds
When I qualified for Junior Worlds for the first time in 2012, my age division was playing at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. I remember being paired with girls from all over the world. It was so much fun that I wanted to come back every year.
I especially wanted to play at Torrey Pines, where the 15 -17 year old age group played. Each year the opening ceremony was held there and I love the history of the course, its proximity to the ocean and the beautiful views. I did qualify eventually, and it became a trip the whole family looked forward to. We would stay in nearby Encinitas and following my round, we would go to the beach to body surf or boogie board. (Have I mentioned that I also love the ocean? More on that later!) We’d wrap the day up with a burrito from Juanita’s. Perfect life!
As my collegiate career was wrapping up, I began thinking seriously about my next step in professional golf. I want to be able to practice and play on the best courses, with great competition and in weather conditions that are suitable for year round play. San Diego has some of (ok, the BEST!) weather in the nation. It’s literally 75 degrees and sunny there almost every day of the year. And ocean. And burritos. So, San Diego, here I come.
Making my move
Last week, my mom and I loaded the car following my qualifier at Langdon Farms and left Salem Thursday morning, stopping near Sacramento to stay with our good friends Don and Val Campbell. We finished the drive Friday. With traffic in LA and San Diego, it was nearly 12 hours in the car, but we made it and found my place! My roommate moved in a few weeks ago. The neighborhood is very cute and after a few trips to Target, Ikea and Costco, I am mostly settled. The golf community has been very welcoming and I am working out playing privileges at a few clubs in the area including Aviara, Palacio Del Mar and Goat Hill Park. I am always looking for more courses as well and looking forward to getting my city card so I can play Torrey Pines and Balboa Park at a discount. I am very excited to be here and can’t wait to back into a golfing routine.
