Golfers to take swings at Petco Park

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

There is a unique new opportunity for golfers in San Diego. Play Petco Park.

The Padres and Callaway Golf Thursday announced an innovative new feature for the ballclub's downtown home -- The Links at Petco Park.

The nine-hole golf course will be open to the public between Nov. 5 and Nov. 8. Tee times went on sale to the general public at noon PT Friday at padres.com/thelinks.

Golfers will have the opportunity to take shots onto the playing field from various tees along a course designed within the ballpark.

The nine-hole course begins on a putting green in the Padres' home dugout at Petco Park.

From there, golfers will move to the ballpark's upper deck for holes two through five, where they will hit shots onto the field from various locations. Hole No. 4, for example, tees off from the Tower Terrace VIP suites just below the press box and plays to a cup on the outfield grass behind second. The tee for No. 5 is on the patio in front of the third-base Tower Lofts and plays to a cup down the left-field foul line.

Hole No. 6 will tee off on field level near the Western Metal Supply Co. building before golfers move to the Batter's Eye out in center field for Hole No. 7. Hole No. 8 will feature another putting green, this time in the bullpen.

The tee for the final hole of the course will be located on the rooftop of the Western Metal Supply Co. building.

"We're always trying to provide authentic golf experiences with our products that are unique and engaging, and that's exactly what this partnership with the Padres is about," said Callaway senior vice president of marketing Harry Arnett. "Playing a nine-hole course at a venue like Petco Park with Callaway golf clubs and balls will be a once-in-a-lifetime round, and we are excited to be a part of it."

Each hole along the course will feature a unique theme and an opportunity to win prizes like a new Callaway Great Big Bertha Driver, with various holes offering corresponding snacks and beverages.

Finally, golfers will finish their day in The Loft presented by Budweiser, which will be transformed into a Callaway clubhouse. There, they will have the opportunity to relax with additional food and beverages available for purchase, watch other golfers along the course, and shop for commemorative items.

"San Diego is a premier golf destination, and Callaway is a premier golf brand, so partnering on this event makes perfect sense," said Padres vice president of corporate and event revenue Jeremy Horowitz.

"The opportunity to play golf inside a Major League ballpark does not come along every day. We are looking forward to working with Callaway to make this an unforgettable experience, and to seeing our partnership grow over the coming years."

The course will be open to the public Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8. Entry may be purchased for twosomes or foursomes. Tee times can be reserved as early as 7:30 each morning. Callaway clubs and balls will be provided for golfers to use for this experience.

Pricing starts at $100 for twosomes ($50 per player) and $200 for foursomes. The cost includes parking, snacks and beverages along the course, limited edition "The Links at Petco Park" hats, and a nine-hole round for each golfer.

Upgraded Platinum twosomes and foursomes are also available for $400 and $800, respectively. In addition to the standard package, upgrades will include a limited edition Padres-branded Callaway club for each golfer and tickets to a 2016 Padres game.

For more information or to reserve your tee time, visit padres.com/thelinks.