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Do you realize that in just a little over sixty-days it will be 2009! What happened to the year 2008? I know I lived through it, but it was just a blur. Real Estate went into an all-time slump; the economy wasn’t the best and please don’t talk about the gas prices! Fortunately I can remember every golf course I had the privilege to visit this year so I decided to give our readers a yearly review and hopefully make them feel better!
Lake Don Pedro Golf & Country Club Twenty-two million dollars and two-and-one half years later, Lake Don Pedro Golf & Country Cub once again opened its doors February 16, 2008. The course was dormant for seven years and was barely recognizable as a playing field until Mr. Tom Porter and former General Manager-Course Designer Ray Claveran, took the challenge of rebuilding the abandoned clubhouse and overgrown property. Lake Don Pedro is the only year-round, 18 hole championship layout in Mariposa County. The result is a beautiful 18 hole-course, a first class restaurant and clubhouse, plus 18 majestic townhouses that border the 10th fairway. Tee times and the townhouses are available to the public. Green fees are $35.00 Monday-Friday and $55.00 on weekends. Carts are also included in the green fees. So become part of the history and future of Lake Don Pedro Golf & Country Club and tee it up at your first opportunity.
Lockeford Springs Golf Course Enjoying its second decade of outstanding service, Lockeford Springs Golf Course has undergone some wonderful changes since 1995, when it was just a nine-hole tract. Since then the course has matured into one of the finest championship, links style courses in Northern California. From General Manger Casey Haynes to Course Superintendent Adam Batista, service is the name of the game. The facility boasts GPS Systems on the golf carts, a newly renovated clubhouse and pro shop, plus the best practice facilities in the area. An enclosed patio is available for weddings and special events. Green fees are $30.00 to walk, $45.00 to ride between opening and 11:00 am. $25.00 to walk and $40.00 to ride, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm is $15.00 to walk and $29.00 to ride, and finally after 5:00 pm its $10.00 to walk and $20.00 to ride. Lockeford Springs is a place where you will be challenged and have fun at the same time. So tee it up at your earliest opportunity!
Dry Creek Ranch Golf Course Located approximately 25 miles south of Sacramento is the historic agricultural city of Galt, which is the home of Dry Creek Ranch Golf Resort. Located across Highway 99 from Galt, the course actually plays on both sides of state highway. The front nine is located to the east of the roadway, while the back nine plays on the west side. The course runs under the “Dry Creek Bridge” which at one time was the longest span in California. In 2003 General Manager Chris Choe and his family, along with some private investors took over the course. The facility offers a full bar and snack bar, turf practice range, putting green and pro shop! Green fees vary, but the normal fee Monday-Thursday is $25.00 to walk, $38.00 to ride. Senior rates are $18.00 to walk and $31.00 to ride, Monday-Thursday. Holidays and weekends are $37.00 to walk, $50.00 to ride. Other green fees include twi-light and super-twi-light on weekdays and weekends. So put Dry Creek Ranch Golf Course on your list of places to play!
Forest Meadows Golf Course Located approximately 14 miles east of the historic “Gold Rush” town of Angels Camp is Forest Meadows Golf Course. The golf facility is under the auspices of Sierra Golf Management which is run by Mr. Jeff Christensen in partnership with Mr. Jim Dillashaw, Head Professional. |
Meadowmont Golf Course is also under the direction of the partners and is considered Forest Meadows’ sister course. It is located just up the corridor of Highway 4. Forest Meadows offers a well stocked pro shop and “Woody’s Bar,” home of the famous “Woody Burger” or “Big Woody.” Green fees for weekdays are $35.00 and after 3:00 pm they drop to $28.00. Weekends and Holidays are $45.00 up to 3:00 pm and then $35.00. Twi-light rate is $28.00. All fees include the golf cart, which is advisable due to many elevation changes. Designer Robert Trent Jones said of the course: “Of all the courses I have designed, Forest Meadows is one of my favorite.” Forest Meadows is an old friend of mine which I should visit more often and so should you. Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort derived its name from “Gold Rush” lore. The old timers or “Sourdoughs” of 1849 would send the “Greenhorns” out to what is the 4th hole on the resort. One of the “city slickers” who mined the “played out” claim actually hit “pay dirt.” Respected developer Greenlaw “Fritz” Grupe Jr, purchased the resort in 1997. His mission has been to make the resort the finest golf and dining experience in the gold country. The golf course has been named by Greenskeeper.org as “The best playing conditions” and “Best value for green fees”, 2008. Head Golf Professional Daryl Pief is available for lessons. He also maintains the well appointed pro shop, as well as the top notch practice facilities. The famous “Camps Restaurant” is available for dinners and banquets. Green fees for the “High Season – April through November,” are $70.00 weekdays and $90.00 Friday-Sunday. “Low Season,” which is Thanksgiving through March, is $50.00 Monday-Thursday and $70.00 Friday-Sunday. Green Fees include the cart with GPS attached. So enjoy a bit of Gold Rush history and visit Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort.
Apple Mountain Golf Resort Did you know that eating an apple is the equivalent of drinking one cup of coffee! It has the same effect of the caffeine and you also get your fiber. So when you have the opportunity to play Apple Mountain Golf Resort, but skipped breakfast, don’t worry, the 1st and 10th tees have containers of apples for the taking. Then you can kill two birds with one stone: tee off and get your breakfast at the same time. Mr. Paul Shorts, under the direction of owner Chris Steele, has been the General Manager and Head Professional since May 2006. “Bears have been spotted as well as bob cats chasing turkeys along our fairways,” added Paul. The pro shop handles any item for the well dressed player and the practice facility is one of the best! The 18th hole is one of the most outstanding finishing holes in California. It is known for its outstanding beauty and is my favorite ranking right up there with the 18th at Pebble Beach! Green fees are $49.00 weekdays with cart and $69.00 on weekends. I whole-heartedly agree with Course Superintendent, Dean Eden who refers to Apple Mountain Golf Resort as “The Garden of Eden.” So “Come to the mountain and play Apple Mountain Golf resort!
What Happened What would you do if the nearest golf course was an hour away? Build your own, obviously! That is what the folks at Cold Springs Golf & Country Club did back in November 1961. Since that time the country club has grown into one of the most beautiful in Northern California. Kevin Earl, General manager indicated: “We have the best value oriented club in the Valley; in fact the quality exceeds the value.” So if you want to be treated extra-special contact Cold Springs Golf & Country Club for possible membership. Whether you are a single golfer, a married couple looking for your “home course”, or you have a family of golfers, Cold Springs Golf & Country Club is the place for you! Cold Springs is a private club with propriety family memberships. They come available when a member puts the membership up for sale. Please contact the office for current prices and availability. Tell them D’Vine Wine & Visitors Guide sent you! Have a wonderful holiday season and I’ll talk to you next year!
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