[aaronp]

How many of you are out there and what courses do you guys all play at?
Im from the Sacramento/Folsom area and play out of Empire Ranch Golf Club in Folsom.

[finalist]

Folsom!

I play Mather (in club there), Ancil, Haggin courses, Empire, Woodcreek, Diamond Oaks, etc. in that order.

I just got kicked off of Empire's practice green this morning before work... they are hosting a private tournament, but I got my bucket in at Mather during lunch today.

BTW, nice bag!

[aaronp]

Haha yea I was gonna play there today but that tournament is going on so Im relaxing in the air conditioning watching golf.
Mather is a good track, I havent been out there in quite a while.
And the bag needs to be updated its changed slightly LOL

[scotchblade]

I'm in the North Bay, San Rafael.

I usually play (in no particular order)
San Geronimo
Peacock Gap (this course is getting better everyday since it's face lift)
Rooster Run
Adobe Creek
Indian Valley
Stone Tree
Hiddenbrooke
Eagle Vines
Presidio (when the weather is good)

[astamm8]

i'm in san francisco. i almost always play at harding. every now and again i play at the presidio as i live quite close. don't make it out to too many other courses.

[aaronp]

scotch,
how do you like Stone Tree? I was supposed to go play there a couple of times as the people that sponsored my High School team had something to do with the design of the course but unfortunately things never worked out so I never got down there.

[bjackson]

I'm on the Peninsula in Menlo Park. I play out of Stanford and Palo Alto Muni.

[scotchblade]

astamm8, on Jun 20 2008, 04:53 PM, said:

i'm in san francisco. i almost always play at harding. every now and again i play at the presidio as i live quite close. don't make it out to too many other courses.

I've got a soft spot for Harding. The Jack Fleming nine (within Harding's 18) is where I played my first nine holes with my late dad back in 1971. Getting good enough to play "the big course" was the goal and I wound up playing there regularly including my high school golf matches. I went to Washington in the Richmond District. Back then you could buy monthly junior cards and play for next to nothing.

As many of you know, Harding went into decline before Sandy Tatum and Co. restored it. I have been there (saw Tiger beat Daly) but have not played it since it was redone, the increased green fees have kept me away. I really do need to get out there sometime soon.

Of course, Presidio was at one time private. Used to play there with a kid on the HS team whose dad was a member. I think a round was something like two bucks.

Then there is Lincoln, the hilly, run down track with the zillion dollar views. We'd get stoned and play until darkness, often in a thick fog.

Pacifica's Sharp Park another regular stop in my junior days and designed by the great Alister MacKenzie, has potential, but last time I dropped by, it looked pretty beat up.

[gregcindyh]

I'm an NCGA guy, but not Bay Area. Fresno. Home Courese; Riverside "The Big Muni" their putting about 2 million in it right now, should be done in the fall? By the way it's only $22 and a great layout! It's a Bell design, same guy who designed Riviera, I'm pretty sure. Others, Copper River Country Club, Brighten Crest (Johnny Miller) it's a tough one, Fig Garden ehh! It's 103* right now!

[scotchblade]

Stone Tree is an upscale course open to the public. It's challenging and in excellent condition. The clubhouse is gorgeous. Does not get heavy play, so pace is good. It's a Johnny Miller design, walkable, but not an easy one. One more thing - and this has been some of the criticism I've read - some of the holes are down in the flat farmland and while challenging are nothing special. The holes carved out of the forest in the hills above feel as if they have been there forever and are gorgeous. So it can seem like two different golf courses.

[astamm8]

replying to scotchblade...

i was down at sharp park for the first time a couple weeks ago. as you said great potential, but in pretty poor shape. hell of a location though.

played lincoln once, maybe twice. ok and fun, but the no fairway business gets to me after a while. the 17th's gotta be one of the best holes in northern ca (how much is that hole worth???) both these courses are pretty short as well.

i generally like the presidio, but if you wanna play on weekends, etc. i think it's pretty overpriced. it's a bit short and a bit tight at times for my taste as well. it can be painfully slow, and i've had to play with some... i don't know what, but i wasn't racing back. and, i struggle on those greens. i practice there all the time though.

played a couple of times at gleneagles. i'd rather play there then lincoln or sharp, but it's nothing to get too excited about though. always nice people to play with, which is a bonus.

and then there's harding. a great track, and with the city discount, i find it quite doable. playing twilight a lot right now for $35, so i can't complain about that. i almost always get paired with good people too, so that helps. back 9's as good as it gets, i'd say.

[Chairman7w]

Sacramento here. Play all the local (public) tracks: Teal Bend; Haggin Oaks; Mather; WoodCreek; Wildhawk; Diamond Oaks...

[aaronp]

Thanks for the replies guys keep em coming. Im jealous of you guys that get to play Harding Park I hear its great.

[golfware]

bjackson, on Jun 20 2008, 03:04 PM, said:

I'm on the Peninsula in Menlo Park. I play out of Stanford and Palo Alto Muni.

No kiddin'!

I work in Menlo Park, across the street from Bayfront Park. I go to hit balls and chip at Palo Alto Muni at lunch time. How is Stanford?? I've heard it's really nice, although I don't have access.

Man, Stanford vs. PA Muni is a big difference, isn't it??

I live in SF about 5 minutes from Harding Park. It's my favorite course and I love to play it. I also enjoy Crystal Springs as well.

I've played Palo Alto Muni twice now within the last 2 months, and it's incredibly windy. Not a tough golf course, but incredibly windy. D@mn!!

I'm from Sacramento and use to play Empire a lot & Wildhawk, but I must say that my favorite is Turkey Creek. What a great golf course.

Cheers!

[golfware]

aaronp, on Jun 20 2008, 03:38 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies guys keep em coming. Im jealous of you guys that get to play Harding Park I hear its great.

Fantastic, and currently in fantastic shape too. The greens, fairways and newly sanded bunkers are in the best shape I've ever seen. I'm actually getting a lot of roll out there.. and today it's going to be in the mid-70's!! I can't believe it!!

Plus, I think #18 is the best finishing hole in this area.

[aaronp]

Thats good to hear cuz I know Harding was in pretty bad shape at one point.

For any of you guys that have played Empire Ranch in the past you should get out there and play it again. Its in the best shape Ive ever seen it. But like almost every other public course people dont fix ballmarks and the pace of play is SLOW with a capital S most of the time.

[Chairman7w]

TUrkey Creek rocks!! I love that course. Not crazy expensive either, especially at twilight rates.

Took these a couple months ago out there:

[One_Putt_Blunder]

bjackson, on Jun 20 2008, 03:04 PM, said:

I'm on the Peninsula in Menlo Park. I play out of Stanford and Palo Alto Muni.

Man I havent played Palo Alto Muni in years that was my old high school practice track. used to play it every day. Is it still as bad as ever? man I miss playing in that wind

[finalist]

Chairman7w, on Jun 20 2008, 06:02 PM, said:

TUrkey Creek rocks!! I love that course. Not crazy expensive either, especially at twilight rates.

Took these a couple months ago out there:

WOW! I've played Turkey Creek a few times and I've never seen the short par 3 over water with GRASS on the left hill. Nice pic.

I haven't been out there for about a year, but I heard the conditions got to be really bad. True?

[BayAreaGolfer]

Peninsula (I play where I can find the best deal for that day):

Canyon Lakes (nice track overshadowed by Bridges but good in its own right)
Skywest (cheapest around for weekend 18)
Lake Chabot (kinda quirky but fun every once in a while)
San Ramon Golf Club (reasonable weekend deals, better back 9)
Wente (worth the money and the drive, great course all around)
Poppy Ridge (good NCGA value, but Wente's the better play)
Ranch Club (bring your A game and/or a lot of golf balls)
Crystal Springs (grew up playing there, a lot better after the recent work)
Presidio (love the layout, questionable conditions, cold, expensive without specials)
Half Moon Bay (truest greens around, ocean course is more unique, old course is tougher and has the best closing hole in the bay area, makes for a fun 36)
Sharp Park (so much potential, terrible conditions, back 9 is better though)
Shoreline (solid muni with decent conditions, great for weekday twilight)
Monarch Bay - Tony Lema (fun course, long from the blues with the wind blowing in)
Stanford (expensive for guests, conditions not as great as you would think, nice track though for students and staff green fees)
Poplar Creek (closet to me but I try to avoid it if I can, slow and lack of features make other courses a better bet)
Harding Park (playing for the first time next Wed)

[poppyhillsguy]

El Dorado Hills so I play Empire Ranch, Mather, and Ancil Hoffman.

Poppy Hills when visiting family.

The in-laws live in Sonoma County where I'll play Windsor.

[aaronp]

poppyhillsguy, on Jun 20 2008, 05:00 PM, said:

El Dorado Hills so I play Empire Ranch, Mather, and Ancil Hoffman.

Poppy Hills when visiting family.

The in-laws live in Sonoma County where I'll play Windsor.

You ever come into Golf Etc. over in Folsom?

[kgk]

I lived in Folsom for 5 years before moving back to Houston. I met my wife there; she grew up in Jackson, and her family is still there. I'm up there a couple of times a year. I'm friends with one of the pros at Castle Oaks in Ione, so I play there quite a bit when I'm there. I'll drive down & play Empire, Mather, Haggin Oaks, Ancil, etc when I'm there as well. I just got back from a week in Jackson & a week in San Diego for the US Open, actually ... played Castle Oaks, Mace Meadows late one afternoon, Mather and The Reserve in Stockton.

[aaronp]

kgk, on Jun 20 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

I lived in Folsom for 5 years before moving back to Houston. I met my wife there; she grew up in Jackson, and her family is still there. I'm up there a couple of times a year. I'm friends with one of the pros at Castle Oaks in Ione, so I play there quite a bit when I'm there. I'll drive down & play Empire, Mather, Haggin Oaks, Ancil, etc when I'm there as well. I just got back from a week in Jackson & a week in San Diego for the US Open, actually ... played Castle Oaks, Mace Meadows late one afternoon, Mather and The Reserve in Stockton.

Which pro are you friends with at Caste Oaks? I used to work there in the cart barn and the pro shop for two years until October of last year. I lived in Sutter Creek/Ione for about 10 years so I probably know your wifes family being as its such a small area.

[kgk]

aaronp, on Jun 20 2008, 07:22 PM, said:

Which pro are you friends with at Caste Oaks? I used to work there in the cart barn and the pro shop for two years until October of last year. I lived in Sutter Creek/Ione for about 10 years so I probably know your wifes family being as its such a small area.

Josh.
You probably know my BIL as well - Brandon Todd. His girlfriend (Becca) & her brother both work at Castle too.

[aaronp]

kgk, on Jun 20 2008, 05:24 PM, said:

aaronp, on Jun 20 2008, 07:22 PM, said:

Which pro are you friends with at Caste Oaks? I used to work there in the cart barn and the pro shop for two years until October of last year. I lived in Sutter Creek/Ione for about 10 years so I probably know your wifes family being as its such a small area.

Josh.
You probably know my BIL as well - Brandon Todd. His girlfriend (Becca) & her brother both work at Castle too.

Yea I know all of them. Josh was kind of a mentor for me while I was there, I played a lot of golf with him over the last 3 or 4 years. And I went to school with Becca for about 6 years.

[gregcindyh]

Oh by the way, if you get a chance to play Avila Beach muni (Pismo area)...fun cheap and always pretty fantastic weather!

[Chairman7w]

finalist, on Jun 20 2008, 04:44 PM, said:

Chairman7w, on Jun 20 2008, 06:02 PM, said:

TUrkey Creek rocks!! I love that course. Not crazy expensive either, especially at twilight rates.

Took these a couple months ago out there:

WOW! I've played Turkey Creek a few times and I've never seen the short par 3 over water with GRASS on the left hill. Nice pic.

I haven't been out there for about a year, but I heard the conditions got to be really bad. True?

Oh no - I took those about two months ago and it was (as you can see) beautiful. I could certainly see it geting dry in the late Summer, but that's true with any course around here.

[bjackson]

golfware, on Jun 20 2008, 03:40 PM, said:

bjackson, on Jun 20 2008, 03:04 PM, said:

I'm on the Peninsula in Menlo Park. I play out of Stanford and Palo Alto Muni.

No kiddin'!

I work in Menlo Park, across the street from Bayfront Park. I go to hit balls and chip at Palo Alto Muni at lunch time. How is Stanford?? I've heard it's really nice, although I don't have access.

Man, Stanford vs. PA Muni is a big difference, isn't it??

I live in SF about 5 minutes from Harding Park. It's my favorite course and I love to play it. I also enjoy Crystal Springs as well.

I've played Palo Alto Muni twice now within the last 2 months, and it's incredibly windy. Not a tough golf course, but incredibly windy. D@mn!!

I'm from Sacramento and use to play Empire a lot & Wildhawk, but I must say that my favorite is Turkey Creek. What a great golf course.

Cheers!

Ya, quite the difference. I normally practice over at Palo Alto, or rather I used to practice over at Palo Alto. I am on the junior team at Stanford (play #1) so I try to use the course/ practice facilities as much as I can. Muni is a love hate relationship. Haha. I have spent WAY too much time there over the years after school. Even worked there a little bit about 1 1/2 years ago. It can get windy, but that makes it interesting, gives it character. Harding is great, but I've only been up there a few times (SF City past 3 years). Without a junior rate for non residents the prices can get pretty steep. Great course though without a doubt.

mbateman81, on Jun 20 2008, 04:13 PM, said:

bjackson, on Jun 20 2008, 03:04 PM, said:

I'm on the Peninsula in Menlo Park. I play out of Stanford and Palo Alto Muni.

Man I havent played Palo Alto Muni in years that was my old high school practice track. used to play it every day. Is it still as bad as ever? man I miss playing in that wind

Of course it's as bad as ever. But I love it. It's the kind of thing where I will go there for no reason but to chip or putt, even just to chill in the proshop for a bit. Then once I decide that the course isn't that bad and I will go play, I feel like it's nearly a waste of money by the end of the round, but then I'll end up there again the next day to work on my game for a few hours. Haha. Love that place. The did recently redo the range. Tried to fix it up a bit with new mats, new turf for the range, new netting and such. I am kinda pissed though that they didn't add faux greens and bunkers. The fact that they redid the concrete surrounding the mats in BLACK asphalt didn't quite rub me the right way...gets super hot on warm days (like the past few) unlike it used to. But nevertheless I call it my home course, the course I developed my game on.

[xan_user]

Live near Windsor.
Tayman.
Rooster.
Bennet Valley.

And all the other local tracks, Im not too pickey.
Fountain and SRCC when i get the chance. No Mayacama...yet.

Lots of fun par 3's arround here to play with the kids too.

Still have to check out peacock.

[scotchblade]

I was a member of the Palo Alto Muni Men's Club in the early 90s, it was my home course. Dropped by not long ago and said hi to Brad Lozares, the long time pro. Checked the member list and saw that wiley ol' vets like Craig Allen still play there.

Great story about that place. There was this fellow that had moved from Mexico that worked in Harry's Hof Brau, the restaurant at the time at the course. He carved turkey, worked the kitchen. Knew little about golf. Took an interest in it, got hooked and with the help of Hank Pollex, got good. He cleaned up in men's club events before going on to qualify for the US Open more than once, including making the cut. His name was Javier Sanchez, a really nice guy, very soft spoken, a gentleman.

I dug up this article

Not sure what he is up to these days. Recall he was on the Hooters tour (he moved).

[hack]

From Folsom as well. Play most of the local courses: Ancil (play here more than any other), Haggin, Teal Bend, Wildhorse, etc. Oddly enough, I have never played Empire Ranch, I use the range frequently, but most of the folks I play with live further toward Sac and I compromise by driving down there way.

Looking forward to playing Turkey Creek in the next month here...

[Baycal92510]

I'm located in pleasanton and I play Canyon lakes the most, Callippe quite a bit, I like to get over and play sunol once in a while cause it's where I grew up playing...poppy ridge is nice and wente is good if you're up for a challenge. Castlewood is great if you know a member and can get on. The bridges will make you want to quit the game but the reward of going low there is a thing to be proud of....Oh and my sister course, spring valley, in milpitas is good for a laid back but enjoyable round.

[Baycal92510]

here's a pic of callippe...Maybe my favorite of all of them

[Paully]

I'm down in San Jose. Most of my rounds are at Cinnabar Hills. Lately, there have been a lot of tournaments going on, so I find myself going down to San Juan Oaks sometimes.

[JWoo883]

Garden Valley here...

I play all over, but mostly:

Apple Mountain
Empire Ranch
Turkey Creek
Granite Bay
The Ridge
Darkhorse
Saddle Creek
Wildhawk (Pro buddy gets us on free)
Teal Bend
& the occasional trip over to Poppy Hills to take advantage of the NCGA disc.

[jed peters]

Sacramento here as well.

I belong to Morgan Creek.

Don't really play any of the publics.

[haytackm]

I'll be traveling back to Nevada City, CA. area. the middle part of July on my way back to Florida. My parents live just outside of Grass Valley. I played the Lake Wildwood course a few times, and The Ridge course also. Lake Wildwood is and older track in a one of those private communities...kinda trippy. The Ridge was fairly new when I played. Neat course. It's one of those Northern CA foothill type couses...always watching for rattlesnakes.

Anyway, I think I'm going to play Alta Sierra while I'm back. Anybody got any other suggestions or comments on Alta Sierra or other courses in that area? I'm a muni guy, unless you got connections for other type courses.

Mike

[vinomerch]

I live in Marin and frequent StoneTree and Harding mostly...occasionally up to Rooster Run and Presidio when the weather is good.

I find StoneTree to be the best conditioned of the area courses, and a fair test. Harding is more of test of length and driving...better hit your mid-irons well, and be prepared to play the high draw from the tees.

Would love to have a Bay Area get together...does that ever occur?

[poppyhillsguy]

aaronp, on Jun 20 2008, 05:06 PM, said:

poppyhillsguy, on Jun 20 2008, 05:00 PM, said:

El Dorado Hills so I play Empire Ranch, Mather, and Ancil Hoffman.

Poppy Hills when visiting family.

The in-laws live in Sonoma County where I'll play Windsor.

You ever come into Golf Etc. over in Folsom?

They regripped my SW and GW this morning!