From the Archives: Torrey Pines golf course first opened in June 1957

The U.S. Open golf tournament is scheduled to conclude today on the beautiful Torrey Pines golf course.

Set on scenic bluffs above the Pacific a the Torrey Pines municipal golf course first opened 64 years ago this week.

The course is named for the trees that dot the mesa and nearby state park.

The South Course opened to the public on June 19, 1957 following dedication ceremonies and a pro-amateur tournament. San Diego Mayor Charles Dail hit the ceremonial first golf ball — after whiffing on his first swing.

An all-pro foursome of Paul Runyan, Olin Dutra, Ralph Guldahl and Don Collett were the first to tee off.

Collett was a Navy chief who had recently won the San Diego County Open. Collett, who died in 2016, also was part of the inaugural foursome to open the Coronado Golf Course in December 1957.

The Torrey Pines North Course opened for business without all the fanfare later the same year. It is shorter and easier than the South Course.

Noted golf course architect William Bell, of Pasadena, was hired to design both courses. He died before they were completed and his son, William, Jr. completed the work of fashioning the links out of land once used for Camp Callan, an Army anti-aircraft training center during World War II.

This is the second time the municipal course has hosted the tournament. In 2008 Tiger Woods’ playoff victory at Torrey Pines is considered one of greatest U.S. Opens of all-time

City golf fees were hiked on San Diego municipal golf courses when Torrey Pines opened in 1957. The new fees were $1.50 for 18 holes on weekdays and $2 for 18 holes on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.

From The San Diego Union, Thursday, June 20, 1957:

1,500 Attend Torrey Pines Links Opening

Pro Paul Runyon fired a two-under-par 70 yesterday to take scoring honors yesterday as an estimated 1,500 persons turned out for the dedication of the new south golf course at Torrey Pines.

Runyan, former National Open champion, played an exhibition in a foursome with Olin Dutra and Ralph Guldahl, also former open titlists who shot 73s and Don Collett, County Open champion who had 71.

Pro Jim Borders and amateur V. Cappi teamed for an eight-under-par 64 to win a pro-amateur tournament that attracted 150 entries.

Low gross score among the professionals was a 70 by Leonard Kennett, Walter Duda was second with 72.

Colorful dedication ceremonies preceded the actual shotmaking over the picturesque, 6,723-yard layout.

Mayor Dail hit the first shot on the municipal seaside links, the ball traveling no more than 10 yards before striking a spectator on the leg. The mayor had missed the ball completely on his first swing.

Yesterday’s pro-amateur leaders:
64—Jim Borders and V. Cappi.
66—Len Kennett and Don Bietel; Kennett and Dr. W. Hart, Bob Hummel and G. Grimm.
67—Julius Skinner and F. Thill, Walter Duda and D. Peterson, Duda and Bob Stevenson, Merius Ahlstrom and P. Mail, Ahlstrom and User Tucker, Ahlstrom and J. Thompson.