Located in Santa Cruz, California – Pasatiempo was high on our list of absolute must play experiences on our 17-day golf odyssey across the Golden State this past summer. Perfect weather was on tap for the day at Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s must play public access gem. If you’re not at all familiar with Dr.MacKenzie and his work (that’s highly unlikely), just think Augusta, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne. Pasatiempo, although lesser known to the recreational golfer, is every bit as worthy. Allowing several tee times to public play each day (Pasa is a semi-private club), should place it at the top of your list.
Pasatiempo opened in September of 1929 to a foursome that included Bobby Jones. The great Marion Hollins was an essential partner to MacKenzie in the design (just as she was at Cypress Point). Nearly seventy years after its inception, the course underwent a lengthy restoration over several years by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. In 2007, the work was completed and “Pasa” as it’s known to so many, was back to being a proper “Golden Age” classic. One of the true jewels in American golf was once again held in the highest regard.
Course Architect extraordinaire Jay Blasi, “Turf Yoda” Josh Lewis, and the pride of (New South Wales) Sydney, Australia – Dean Lenertz joined yours truly on a crystal clear central California afternoon. After a casual lunch in the clubhouse with Pasatiempo’s superb Superintendent Justin Mandon, we headed to the tee at the 457 yard opening hole (sans warm up).
I won’t detail every hole, but here at the first, you can clearly see the approach favors coming in from the right side of the fairway. Be aware, if you make it out to Pasatiempo, this green has a much greater right to left/back to front tilt than this image projects. Like most golden age designs, rarely does being short on the proper side cost you. Recoveries are doable if you think your way around the “Good Doctor’s” home ballpark.
The slightly downhill approach at the 437 yard dogleg right second hole.
The view from greenside – notice the bold right to left tilt, and fall offs that combine to make giant green surfaces like this one play much smaller than they appear.
The stunning par 3 third is the first assault on your senses on the property, and at 214 yards it plays longer due to being significantly uphill. The tee is ingeniously cut up against the hillside, take an extra bat and hit a gentle fade to land it softly into this brutal beauty. Alister MacKenzie’s brilliant bunkering guards one the most beautiful inland one-shotters in existence. Par is a superb score here.
Not unique to Central California, this Santa Cruz property tilts and flows in every direction throughout the routing. The 378 yard fourth is rarely mentioned but deserves attention. With ample width, it’s a true second shot golf hole but hitting the fairway is imperative, especially when the pin is tucked far right (see below).
If you manage to hit your approach here at the fourth pin high, you’ll be rewarded with a very make-able putt. Note the sharp detailing around the bunker edges.
The green complex here on the 190 yard par 3 fifth is unlike many you’ll see or encounter anywhere. Designers today would likely be persecuted for creating a twisty “winding road” shaped surface. That back left pin location brings the center bunker into play.
The tee shot here on the sixth goes up through a chute of foliage and in the direction of the game’s most celebrated course designer’s home in history.
This plaque, an ode to MacKenzie is on the path beside his house on the sixth.
The approach to the sixth green.
MacKenzie was extraordinary in his creation of short golf holes, the collection at Pasa belongs in the discussion of the finest anywhere. The downhill 176 yard eighth shown here features a magnificent green complex that requires not only the correct club, but also the proper trajectory/spin. When the pin is located on the back shelf, anything short of the ridge will spin and roll all the way down the slope. A green in regulation here means that your work has just begun.
The eighth played down and the semi-reachable 492 yard par 5 ninth plays back up the hill towards the clubhouse.
The tee at the 437 yard tenth, one of the truly memorable inland par 4’s in all of golf.
The downhill approach to the tenth is among the finest exams on the course. Width and angles are the story here at Pasa, knowing the hole location allows for setting up the proper approach, especially to shallow and well guarded targets like the one here on the tenth. Avoid the deep bunkering on the left at all costs. Another wicked green that features backboards, sideboards and an inviting front right section that includes a false front and back bunker. It’s simply a design marvel.
The par 4 eleventh is well known for its bisected “S” shape design that features a ravine and pedestrian bridge that transports the golfer to a second fairway and a tucked-in green complex. The closer your drive it to the hazard, the better the angle and shorter the approach.
This view looking back towards the tee shows the gully that runs along the left edge of the fairway leaving some tough uneven lies and stances for the approach. This is just another example of the variety of land forms you encounter at Pasatiempo.
The right side of the fairway brings sand into play, including this cross bunker that Mackenzie used as more of a visual element of deception rather than a strategic challenge.
The 142 yard 15th is the shortest hole at Pasatiempo and with the hole positioned in the front as it was during our visit, it’s no more than a wedge. Although this “shorty” rarely gets mentioned in the pantheon of great short holes, we put it in that category and certainly among our favorites in the Golden State along with 7 at Pebble, 15 at Cypress, 17 at Santa Ana and 16 at California Golf Club. Like those holes, this lil gem will potently sting you if you stray in distance or direction.
The magnificent 392 yard sixteenth begins with a semi-blind uphill tee shot that must be played accurately over the peak to have a good look at what awaits . . .
There are several thrilling approach shots at Pasa, but none quite like this one that plays from a downhill position to a massive surface that tilts back up towards the player. Jay Blasi flushed the ideal draw into this left hole location, easily the finest shot of the entire California journey, nearly jarring it, kick-in birdie.
This overhead view of the sixteenth green shows how well purposed and designed the land on this parcel of the property is. Situated between the boundary road left and the ravine on the right. The green is a remarkable design that tilts severely back to front. Notice the false front that dangles its “tongue” steeply downward – repelling any misplayed approach shot. (photo courtesy of Pasatiempo Golf Club)
Playing Pasatiempo means that you don’t want the day to end, but it concludes in grand style here at this euphoric amphitheater setting. At dusk is absolutely the perfect way to experience this 173 yard beauty. The target is vast, so take dead aim, but be mindful of the pin position. The front right features a wide landing area but a steep false front, while the back left narrows up quite a bit allowing for the perfect Sunday sucker pin. Center of the green is never a bad play here, anything below the hole will leave an aggressive uphill attempt to convert.
The club at Pasatiempo has a classic vibe and pays homage to its golden age heritage, all while keeping a very casual atmosphere. At 6495 yards from the tips the course is all you want. It challenges the accomplished player, it inspires shotmaking and showcases the great master’s design prowess at the height of his powers. Kudos to Ken Woods for hosting us, and to Justin Mandon and his Agronomy team for their fine work in presenting one the fabulous gems in American golf design in fine form. A rare MacKenzie classic that’s open to the public makes Pasatiempo an ABSOLUTE MUST PLAY.
For more info on Pasatiempo visit: https://www.pasatiempo.com/
