Talking GolfGetaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast · Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch

Rams Hill’s Wil Mayo Talks Spectacular Desert Golf

·1 hr 6 min·4 clips

Will says Rams Hill feels like “golf on Mars” and says it can exceed expectations.

1. Talking Golf Getaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast focuses this episode on Rams Hill Golf Club in Borrego, California, and the desert golf experience around it. 2. Mitch Lawrence and Darren Bunch host the conversation with Will Mayo, Rams Hill’s Director of Sales and Marketing, and Darren describes him as a former Southern California Golf Association staffer and Master Rules Official. 3. The episode asks what Rams Hill is building toward, beyond one round on a remote course in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. 4. Will says Rams Hill is a destination and not a place for golfers who want a quick tee time close to home. 5. He compares the drive to Borrego with the approach to Gamble Sands near Brewster, saying the trip is part of the joy. 6. Mitch adds that the route through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is scenic whether a golfer comes from Indio or Temecula. 7. Will says the current Rams Hill product is the 91st best public golf course, according to Golf Digest. 8. He says the larger goal is a full-fledged golf destination resort with more golf, including another full-length course or a short course. 9. Will names Bandon, Gamble Sands, and Forest Dunes as examples of places Rams Hill wants to study. 10. He says the market focus has shifted toward golfers who can drive three, four, or five hours from Southern California. 11. Will says Rams Hill aims to extend stays by giving golfers more than one course to play. 12. Mitch says the view from the patio and the desert sunrise and sunset sequence are part of what stays with people after a visit. 13. Will says Rams Hill is trying to tell the story of an experience that has nothing to do with the 18 holes. 14. The hosts and Will talk about the dark skies, the fire pits, and the stars that appear because the desert has little light pollution. 15. Will says the golf course is moving to full TifTuf Bermuda, which he expects to create faster, firmer conditions. 16. Darren says the agronomy work should improve greens, surrounds, and fairways after heavy traffic during the pandemic years. 17. The episode moves in an easygoing interview style, with Mitch and Darren interrupting each other, adding anecdotes, and asking follow-up questions. 18. The energy is conversational and informal, with rulebook jokes about flagsticks, putting greens, and the location of a hole. 19. Golf travelers who like desert settings, stay-and-play resorts, and course architecture would likely enjoy this episode. 20. Golfers looking for technical swing instruction or match analysis would probably skip it.

As heard by us

A Rams Hill conversation that turns agronomy and operations into the main attraction.

This episode follows Will Mayo from Rams Hill Golf Club and the agronomy changes taking shape there. Mitch and Darren keep the focus on the day-to-day side of golf, especially the push for better year-round conditions and a 12-month schedule.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for Rams Hill, golf travel talk, and the course-ops story behind the round.

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