Journey at Pechanga

Eco-Friendliness of Journey at Pechanga

One of the most ecologically sensitive golf courses in the country, Journey at Pechanga is cared for sustainably,
and as an extension of how the Pechanga people have cared for their lands since time immemorial.

From the time Journey at Pechanga opened in 2008, the mantra of treating the land as a living, breathing and life-giving entity had already been established by the Pechanga people. The Temecula Valley and the Pechanga original lands have sustained the Pechanga people since the beginning of life on earth.

Journey at Pechanga and its staff pride themselves on utilizing the most ecologically friendly practices available in modern golf course management. The course’s terrain, built into the foothills of the south Temecula mountains, allows for the use of less grass and therefore, less water. Journey operates with 30-percent less grass than the California average of about 120 acres. Most of the water used in irrigating the course is reclaimed and recycled water, much of it from the two lakes at hole 5 and hole 15. Journey’s groundskeepers employ a state of the art irrigation and weather prediction software. They know when storms are approaching, when they can turn off sections of or all sprinklers, and how long the ground will remain wet following a downpour. The lakes also collect rainwater so ahead of storms, they use the water from the lakes for additional irrigation, then allow them to fill up again thanks to Mother Nature. During the rainy season the lakes are intentionally kept low in order to collect rain water from the storms.

Water-saving measures may not be immediately noticeable in the form of low-flow fixtures in the 62,000-square foot Journey’s End clubhouse, but they definitely exist and provide a water savings of millions of gallons each year.

Course superintendent, Mario Ramirez, employs a number of strategies to ensure sustainable water practices. The Fairways were converted to 100% Bermuda grass which requires significantly less water during the summer months. Respecting the natural flora and fauna is also a priority. The Journey remains true to the natural environment by protecting native vegetation and Oak trees throughout the course, making this a unique golf experience. This also protects the native habitat of the wildlife in the area.