With the unusual amount of rain pelting California in April and May, it has been difficult playing the required amount of golf to keep one’s sanity. When the clouds parted for a short time last week, Jim Hansen and I made a beeline up Highway 4 to the little mountain town of Arnold, the home of Sequoia Woods Country Club. The drive through Calaveras County is very scenic, so it seemed like only minutes before we were pulling through the gate, which greeted us with spectacular views of the 11th, 12th, and 13 holes. We were tempted to drop a ball right there and test our skills on the tight fairways and quick greens, but we continued past the crystal clear swimming pool, overlooking the 11th hole. The well appointed, 14,000 square foot clubhouse suddenly came into view, and before we knew it, we were sitting down with the Director of Golf, Mr. Larry Babica. Larry was born and raised in Humboldt County. His father was the golf professional for 50 plus years at Bayside Country Club in Arcadia. Larry played golf for Humboldt State University graduating in 1969 and has highlighted his career being the Head Professional at Sequoia Woods for 13 years. The walnut did not fall far from the tree in this family! Architect Bob Babcock designed the Country Club for the Demuse family who opened its doors in 1967. The course sold to a group of four partners in 1990. Sequoia Recreation Incorporated has made dramatic improvements to the course, causing it to evolve into a premier venue of lush fairways, quick greens, deep blue lakes, cold mountain streams and sandy white bunkers. The course is painted into the Sierra Nevada foothills as well as any masterpiece of this high level could be, blending light and dark greens into a perfect watercolor. Majestic pines guard the fairways, ready to allow a friendly bounce for an errant shot, or smother an annoying fade. “The course is two very unique nines, added Larry. The front nine is fairly long and wide open. We planted a couple of hundred trees the last couple of years so it will get narrower as they grow. The back nine is very short, very narrow. We host a pro am every year and the pros will shoot one, two, three, under on the front and then shoot one, two, and three over on the back nine.” Larry advised the back nine requires precision shot making. “A lot of the better players will hit irons off the back nine because it requires such precision, but as a whole it is a very challenging eighteen hole-golf course. Leave your woods in the bag on the back nine! The fairways are twenty-five to thirty yards wide with small greens to finish on.”

Sequoia Woods plays to par 70 and is a challenge from every tee. The assistant pros are Bob Reichle and Richard Crane. Bob is there year-round and Richard comes up from the valley during the summer. Both possess extensive backgrounds in the game. We had the pleasure of chatting with Bob before the round. I found him to be a pleasant young man. “Everything I know about golf, I learned from Larry. I owe him a lot.” Bob had the same advice as Larry. “Respect the back nine, and bring your best game.”

Sequoia Woods is a member course and open ten months a year. The members sneak away to the desert during the winter, including the head pro. “It’s a good living, added Larry. Sequoia Woods is a non-equity club, but you can sell your membership. The initiation fee is $5,000. If you sell your membership, there is a transfer fee of $2,500. Most of the members, when they leave the area, include the fee in the sale of their home. Annual membership dues are $1850 for resident and non-resident is $1500. The guest fees are $40.00 on weekdays, $50.00 on weekends. Reciprocal privileges are $55.00, weekdays, $65.00, weekends. These are eighteen-hole prices. Nine-hole prices are available, but I’m not going to tell you. Sorry, I can’t imagine only playing nine on Sequoia Woods. That would be like reading half of War and Peace! Which nine would you choose! Believe me! The fees are well worth it! Larry was right!

Jim and I never touched the driver or fairway metals on the back nine. We played to the 150 yard markers and came out with good scores on the back. The front allowed us to “Let the big dog eat,” and we both finished with decent scores. Infamous Writer, 78 - Intrepid Editor 83. We had a wonderful, relaxing round, accompanied by bursts of laughter and congratulatory slaps on the back for a shot well played. If the opportunity ever arises, please play Sequoia Woods Country Club. It’s a classic!