Talega Golf Club Trims Its Green Fees

Talega Golf Club, the San Clemente course that raised eyebrows when it opened with green fees many considered exorbitant, has slashed its rates by as much as $75, course owner Heritage Golf Group announced last week.

The new rates for residents of Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties are $85 Monday-Thursday, $95 Friday and $110 Saturday-Sunday, down from $125, $155 and $185. The nonresident rates are $100 Monday-Thursday, $125 Friday and $150 Saturday-Sunday, down from $150, $200 and $225.

The new rates put Talega in the same price range as other high-end courses in the area such as Tijeras Creek and Tustin Ranch.

“People are creatures of habit,” said Gary Dee, executive vice president of Heritage Golf Group, which owns Talega. “I think we all need a stimulus to break us out of a routine. These new rates are meant to encourage people to come and see the course sooner rather than later.”

The rate structure is being called an “introductory rate” and is scheduled to run through March 31, but Dee said it will probably be extended beyond that date.

“There might be modest rate increases somewhere down the road,” Dee said. “But there might not.”

“We’re excited to have more people come out and see the course,” Dee said. “We know we have to earn credibility with golfers every day.”

The course also unveiled its website, www.talegagolfclub.com.