This conservation-minded golf community minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea is keeping the spirit of amateur golf alive
A great drive isn’t just about the destination but the journey. You won’t find a better—or more soul-stirring—example than at The Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, Calif. Tucked away in the Golden State’s coastal mountains, a few miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the best drive in golf begins inside The Preserve’s gates. A two-lane road weaves through a breathtaking landscape of canyons lined with towering redwoods and oak-studded savannahs as it makes its way to The Preserve Golf Club. It’s a drive that awakens the senses and leaves an unforgettable impression, promising not just a memorable round of golf, but an experience in nature’s grandeur.
It’s on this land, practically untouched over the last century (and with protections in place to ensure it stays that way forever) that amateur golf at its highest level has been embraced. In October, The Preserve will host the 32nd annual edition of the Stocker Cup as well as the Preserve Golf Club Collegiate. Originally played at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the Stocker Cup attracts a top field of amateurs from the U.S. and abroad. Now in its third year, the Collegiate brings together 15 top college golf teams, including host Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
These esteemed amateur events are a source of pride for members of The Preserve Golf Club, who take an active role in hosting the tournaments. It’s a chance for them to showcase their private Tom Fazio-designed golf course and the immaculate conditioning they enjoy year round. The course, which weaves naturally through the unspoiled landscape, is Fazio at his finest, replete with strategically placed deep bunkers, fast greens, and challenging approach shots. A testament to the quality of the layout and its conditioning, the course played host to U.S. Open qualifying in 2021 and is perennially ranked among the country’s best.
With 18,000 of its 20,000 acres perpetually endowed as nature conservancy, The Preserve provides a unique place to live for its families. Residences embrace a modern California Ranch aesthetic, emphasizing indoor-outdoor living that takes full advantage of the magnificent views. Currently, 144 homes are complete, with more under construction. But with homes capped at 300, the opportunity to live in this magical setting won’t last forever.
