Golfers seeking a unique blend of nature, serenity and premier design have found a ready recipe at Rams Hill in Borrego Springs. Playing without the din of highway buzzing, resort ringing or condo-lining, the popularity of the Tom Fazio-designed grounds has seen the course’s rep steadily grow from secret retreat to a SoCal must-play.
Images Courtesy of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Amid this late winter and early spring season, the bounty of Borrego grows even greater.
Known as the “Superbloom,” an astounding wash of wildflowers are currently popping across the Anza-Borrego State Park adjacent to Rams Hill. California’s largest state park at over 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego is a destination draw for everything from hiking and biking, to stargazing and wildlife watching.
This season, a mere 15-minute drive from the course to select areas in the park can make for an especially memorable day of birdies and bloom.
“There are many factors which contribute to the success of the wildflowers, including rain at the appropriate time of year, favorable temperatures, heat and wind,” says Dennis Stephen, district interpretive specialist for the Colorado Desert District. “This year, it’s looking particularly good for the bloom conditions.”
Images Courtesy of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Expected to peak from early March through early April, golfers headed to Borrego and Rams Hill should aim to carve-out a little extra travel time.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to recreate, get in some golf and to enjoy the park and the wildflowers,” adds Stephen.
Like golf, the best superbloom-seeking starts with a good game plan. In concert with players studying the inviting tee corridors and strategic swales of Fazio’s awesome green structures and surrounds at Rams Hill, visitors to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will be well-served with some pre-game prep.
“Currently, we’re seeing flowers at the Coyote Canyons and Borrego Badlands at the northern end of the park, and then along S-22, at the southern end of the park, there’s the Carrizo Badlands Overlook.”
As of the first week of March, the Borrego Badlands locale on S-22 between mile markers 30 and 35 is a highly-suggested stop.
“We’re seeing a lot of Verbena this year, along with desert sunflowers,” Stephen details. “There are also spots where Lupine is starting to come up.”
At mile marker 31 specifically (and, rest assured, you’ll see the cars on the weekend), the splash of regal purples and popping yellows set against the otherwise-rustic desert backdrop creates an especially-photogenic canvass.
Images Courtesy of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The specific locale requires no deep desert dive at this mile marker, as an inviting wildflower walk of 20-minutes can be enjoyed with an easy stroll less than a quarter-mile into the sands.
Golfers matching wedges with wildflowers can scorecard updates with a call to the park’s regularly-updated Wildflower hotline at 760-767-4684. To book a tee time at Rams Hill GC, visit their website.
For wildflower driving directions from all points SoCal, the park’s website provides detailed mapping; just click here to learn more and plan your visit.
Along with online review of viewing tips and a list of official park concessionaires, visitors should take heed of park safety suggestions. Bringing ample water is a must, as is a vehicle in full-working order; flower-seekers taking in more than a pit-stop may also want a printed-out map (cell reception is funky in the park), and be certain to bring layered attire and sunscreen.