October 15th, 2008 — CA, Lessons Available, McKinleyville, driving range, golf courses, public course
Beau Pre Golf Course is located in McKinleyville, CA
Phone: (707)839-2342
Website: http://www.beaupregc.com/
Course History:
This is a gorgeous course that is located outside of the historic city of McKinleyville, the site of the world's largest totem pole. This is one of the nicest courses on the West Coast and offers a championship level of play that is still suitable for novices. The course is tucked a bit off the beaten path, so we've included directions below.
What You Need to Know:
You can register your tee time by calling the number above, but the course does also offer an online tee time request form. They will contact you to let you know if your time is available. Since this is a popular course, we do recommend calling ahead.
This is a very fun course to play and the facilities are very nice. The pro shop was well stocked and we appreciated the quiet atmosphere in the club house. There are memberships available to save on the already low green fees, but the public is welcome at any time. They do not specify a dress code, but it is best to wear classic golf gear to err on the side of caution.
Playing Hints:
You'll be dealing with multiple water hazards on this course, particularly on the back nine. Most are creeks and bisect the fairways right before the green. We recommend taking a shorter tee shot on these holes to give you a better chance of avoiding the water. There are only a few bunkers and with accuracy, they should not be a problem for most players.
The holes are all very straightforward and fun to play. You won't have to worry so much about drifting a little left or right, and there are only two major doglegs to worry about - 5 and 7. For both, keep to the right from the tee and you'll be fine.
Fees:
Rates - Weekdays
Weekdays (Monday - Friday) $28
After 2pm $19
High School $10
9 Holes Only $19
Super Twi-Lite 6pm $10
Rates - Weekends
Weekends (Saturday - Sunday) $38
After 2pm $22
High School $12
9 Holes Only $22
Super Twi-Lite 6pm $10
Non - Residents
College Semester Ticket $199
Non-Resident Individual Monthly $159
Non-Resident Family Monthly $199
Non-Resident Monthly Cart $159
Rentals
Power Carts per 9 holes $16
Power Carts per 18 holes (Minimum age for Cart use is 18 years) $26
Clubs $5 / $15 /$25
Pull Carts $5
Range Balls
Large Basket (60) $5.50
Small Basket (30) $3.50
Lessons - Head Professional - Rex Denham
Private One Lesson $50
Series of 7 Lessons $200
Lessons - Assistant Professional - Brent Stone
Private One Lesson $35
Series of 7 Lessons $140
Junior Lessons
Junior Lessons $20
Series of 5 Junior Lessons (one free) $80
Group Lessons Series of 6 -Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday $75
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
From Rte 101, take the Airport exit to McKinleyville. Go past the
Airport, at the stop sign, go right, and make your immediate left
turn onto Norton Road. Beau Pre Golf Club is on your right.
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August 12th, 2008 — CA, Chico, golf courses
Tuscan Ridge Golf Course is located in Chico, CA
Phone: (530) 624-7006
Website: http://www.tuscanridgeclub.com/
Course History:
Tuscan Ridge Golf Course is a beautiful course that is off the beaten path near Chico, CA. This is truly a rare course and we were very happy to find it. Since it opened, it became an instant favorite of the locals and it's easy to see why. This course offers a great challenging level of play and some of the best facilities we've seen in the area.
What You Need to Know:
Tuscan Ridge doesn't specifically state that there is a dress code, but we do recommend standard golf attire. You can register your tee time by calling the number listed above. In addition to their usual pro shop gear, which is terrific by the way, they also offer some of the best club fitting and repair services we've ever seen. This is a great place to go if your clubs are getting a bit run down and you need them fixed properly.
The clubhouse is worth the trip alone and it is extremely relaxing. This was definitely one of the nicest rounds of golf we have played in years and we simply cannot say enough nice things about this incredible course.
Playing Hints:
The designer of this course was a master of optical illusions and the "risk reward" strategy. You'll need to bring your best game here and chances are, you'll want to keep coming back to perfect your own strategy. We found that the natural terrain was very challenging and there were times that we weren't sure where the green was.
There are numerous hazards on the course that make it fun to play. One wrong move and you may find yourself in a small quarry. Accuracy is definitely key here and we highly recommend working on the art of the straight and powerful drive before you arrive. Watch out for the bunker on The Vineyard Hole. You may need a bulldozer to get out if you have the misfortune of landing in there.
Fees:
| |
| |
Weekday Rates |
Weekend Rates |
| 18 Holes |
$29.00 |
$36.00 |
| Student, Senior, Military |
$19.00 |
$26.00 |
| Twilight Rate -3pm |
$21.00 |
$24.00 |
| Super Twilight Rate -5pm |
$12.00 |
$15.00 |
| Jr. Rate (18 & under) |
$10.00 |
$14.00 |
| Replay Rate |
$11.00 |
$14.00 |
| Cart Rental |
| |
18 Holes |
| Twilight Riding Fee |
$10.00 |
| Riding Fee |
$14.00 |
| Driving Range Fees |
| |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
| Range Balls |
$4.00 |
$6.00 |
$8.00 |
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
From Bay Area (East I-80)
Approximately 2 hours drive time from Vacaville, CA
1. Drive East on I-80
2. Merge onto I-505 North
3. Merge onto I-5 North
4. Take EXIT 619 in Orland (CA-32)
5. Turn RIGHT at light and follow CA-32 to Chico
6. In Chico, take a LEFT at East Ave (first light)
7. East Ave turns to Manzanita Ave, then to Chico Canyon Road and finally to Bruce Rd.
8. Bruce Road intersects Skyway Blvd at a major intersection
at Skyway Blvd, turn LEFT
9. Tuscan Ridge Golf Course will appear on the right side of Skyway Blvd
10. Turn Right at rock sign under 4.5 miles from Bruce Road
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June 11th, 2008 — Antioch, CA, Lessons Available, golf courses
Roddy Ranch Golf Course is Located in: Antioch, CA
Phone: 925.978.4653
Website: http://www.roddyranch.com
Course History:
This course is part of the historic 2000 acre Roddy Ranch in Antioch, CA. This is a relatively new course that opened to tremendous accolades. It's already been named one of the best value courses in the bay area and with good reason. If you're looking for a challenging game of golf that won't break the bank, look no further. This course is a little off the beaten path, so we included some directions for you below.
What You Need to Know:
Don't let the prices fool you, this is a very nice course. Everything is top notch and its on the same level as many private clubs when it comes to amenities. You can register your tee time online or by phone. Their website also has a feature to let you pick your time and a special discount, so we recommend visiting before you book.
Lessons are offered every day of the week from the PGA pros on staff. These are also priced very reasonably and there is a special tee that is devoted entirely to practice. Numerous tournaments are held at the course every year and this is a great way to get a feel for the course before you actually head out.
Although the course does not specify a special dress code, we recommend traditional golf attire and soft spikes.
Playing Hints:
The holes are pretty straightforward at first glance, but look a little closer and you'll see the combination of heavily sloped greens, nasty rough, and sandtraps make for some challenging play. By far, the two hardest holes are the sixteenth hole with its blind green (approach from the right to avoid the bunkers) and the thirteenth hole that also features a blind green surrounded by bunkers. You'll be playing into the wind on this hole for an even bigger challenge.
The last two holes will give you a chance to salvage your score, especially the par 5 on 18. Just watch out for the remaining bunkers and you should do just fine.
Course Fees:
Standard Weekday $45.00
Weekday Twilight $35.00
Weekday Super Twilight $25.00
Standard Weekend $70.00
Weekend Mid-day $55.00
Weekend Twilight $45.00
Weekend Super Twilight $30.00
*Junior Rates Weekday (15 and under) $15.00
*Junior Rates Weekend (15 and under) $45.00
*Senior Rates Weekday (50 and older) $35.00
*Senior Rates Weekend (50 and older) $50.00
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
From the west:
Take Highway 4 towards the city of Antioch, exit at Lone Tree Way, turn right. Proceed to Deer Valley Road, turn right. Travel approximately 3 miles and you will see the golf course appearing above and to your right as you pass Empire Mine Road. The next right is Tour Way, well marked as the entrance to The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch.
From the east:
Take Balfour road west from Brentwood to it's intersection with Deer Valley Road. (Roddy Ranch is straight ahead of you.) Turn right onto Deer Valley, and immediately left into Tour Way to enter the Golf Club.
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June 10th, 2008 — Bert Stamps, CA, Lessons Available, Sonora, golf courses
Phoenix Lake Golf Course is located in Sonora, CAPhone: 209-532-0111
Website: http://www.phoenixlakegolf.com
Course History:
This is a great little nine hole course that opened in 1968. It was designed by Bert Stamps and became an instant local favorite. The incredibly scenic course is perfect for a little getaway and the play is challenging enough for everyone to enjoy.
What You Need to Know:
This course has a great atmosphere. We really recommend attending the numerous tournaments that are held here since you cannot beat the pit barbeque or the fun. The fees are incredibly reasonable and we do recommend booking your tee time in advance since this is a popular course. Lessons are available and the membership packages make it easy to enjoy this course all year round. It is a little tucked away off the beaten path, so we've included directions to the course below.
Playing Hints:
This may be a little course, but don't let it fool you. It's actually quite tough in spots. Please note that if you are playing 18 holes that the white tees are for the front nine, and the black are for the back nine. The first hole is a gentle dogleg to the left, and you'll want to keep to the right so you can get a clear shot to the green. This is a pretty long par five given the size of the course, but you can birdie it if you avoid going out of bounds.
The fifth hole is a bit challenging. You'll want to avoid overhitting on your approach to the green. There is a water hazard behind it and it's all too easy to end up taking a swim. The ninth hole is the most forgiving and just about any player can birdie this one to salvage their score. Just watch out for the sloping green, it's a doozy.
Course Fees:
Green Fees - Monday Thru Thursday (Excluding Holidays)
9 Hole Fees 18 Hole Fees
Regular $15.00 $20.00
Seniors $11.00 $15.00
Juniors $11.00 $15.00
Green Fees - Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
9 Hole Fees 18 Hole Fees
All $17.00 $22.00
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES
(Unlimited Play)
Single: $900.00
Couple: $1,200.00
Family: $1,400.00
POWER CART
9 Holes ( $7.00 / Rider ) $14.00
18 Holes ( $11.00 / Rider ) $22.00
CLUBS & PULL CARTS
Club Rentals $8.00
Pull Carts $3.00
DRIVING RANGE BALLS
Small (40 Balls) $3.00
Large (70 Balls) $6.00
52 PLAY MEMBERSHIP FEE
$750.00
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
Take the Hess Rd. exit off Highway 108. If traveling EAST on Highway 108: Turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp. If traveling WEST on Highway 108: Turn right at the bottom of the off-ramp.
Turn right at the next stop light, follow Phoenix Lake Rd. 2 miles to Paseo De Los Portales (watch for the Phoenix Lake Golf Course signs). Turn left on Paseo De Los Portales, our clubhouse is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Parking is available on the right directly across from the clubhouse.
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