| I was in that area the beginning of last year, and let me just say
that you are in for a treat. I loved it out there.
There are many great courses in the Monterey to San Francisco area,
not all of which may be listed in Golf Digest. I saw (but did not
play) and would recommend: Half Moon Bay, Del Monte, Spyglass, Pebble
Beach. Pebble, in my opinion is somewhat overrated. There are
several other public courses along the same stretch of the 17 mile
drive that are better and less expensive. In my opinion, Spyglass
is in much nicer condition than Pebble. Near Pebble there is a
real links type public course, but I can't remember the name.
When I was out there they were constructing a new course called
(I think) Pirates Bay, which looked interesting, and may be finished
already. I'll see if I can recall more info for you.
Enjoy,
Peter
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| Since this note is being offered in Oct, '87 - it won't be of much
help to the earlier inquiry, but I can offer you some info. on public
courses in the Bay Area in case any of you visit us.
I have not played too many courses, since I only began playing golf
again after a 15 year hiatus. But I am out there a couple of times
a week over the past couple of years - here is a list of some of
the better courses I have played in the Bay Area. All the courses
are relatively easy to "walk on to" if you are a single - some
courses require a 3 day to a week prior reservation for any hope
of a twosome or larger group.
I will be restricting this list to the general "South Bay" area,
ie. greater Silicon Valley. If you have any specific questions about
any of these courses, or would like some info. on other courses
in the greater Bay Area, mail me a note or leave a reply - I will
try to have the information available for you. One note: I am an
outside contractor at DEC and will be employed here only through
Oct or early Nov. - it could be longer, but unlikely. I will update
any info. I have, in future notes if you are interested in courses
in this area.
I will offer you a visual aid in locating these courses (if I can
keep it straight in my own visualization). Imagine Moffett Field
a major Naval air base in Sunnyvale, Ca. and somewhat representative
of the "heart" or physical center of the valley, as the point of
reference. I will describe an expanding radius from that point and
indicate the general direction to travel. I will add more data about
San Jose area courses as they come to mind (future note) since there
is an abundance of courses in that area. This list will serve as
groundwork info. at least.
1) Moffet Field. There is an 18 hole course at Moffett Field itself.
If you visit someone who has base priveleges, it might be worth
your while to play this course. GF under $20.
2) Sunnyvale Municipal. Right across the freeway from Moffett Field.
Relatively long course (6500 yds.+), well kept for the location,
lots of air traffic overhead, but it's part of the character
of the course. Gf under $20. Under $10 after 3:00pm.
3) Shoreline : New course, long and in good shape. Just North of
MF. The staff treats you with uncommon service, an enjoyable
place to play. Gf from $8 - $28 depending on time of day and
day (weekday vs. weekend/holiday).
4) Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club: New course opened in 1986.
Long course, very nice and very challenging. Gf under $20.
A common factor in the courses mentioned thus far is WIND.
Do I hear a Boo! Hiss!? Well, it just happens to be true that
this general area (4-5 mi. radius) is sort of a wind tunnel as
the breezes funnel through the Bay. It can make for a VERY
interesting day of golf. If you play in the AM, you can usually
avoid the "gusties", and might have little more than a breeze.
In any case, it is part of the game at these courses - somedays,
however, are not windy.
5) If you travel East to Freeway 680, you will find a few really
nice courses. First on the list is TULARCITOS. This is nestled
in the East bay foothills and is VERY challenging and scenic.
It is a long course (7000 yds.) and well worth the modest GF
($18-25).
6) Almost "next door" to Tularcitos is SPRING VALLEY golf club.
Perhaps easier to get "on to" on any given day and certainly
a decent 18 holer. It isn't the challenge of Tularcitos however,
but still a bargain course (GF under $20). Just South of Tularcitos.
7) You'll have to travel an additional 10-15 miles north of Tularcitos
on 680 to reach SUNOL Country Club. This is a treat to play.
Two exceptional 18 holers, usually "booked" but you might get
lucky, especially as a single. Very picturesque, and definitely
challenging! It is even designed for late, late afternoon play
with lights on one of the courses. A lot of tournament play here.
Gf somewhere in the $20 range. (excluding cart). Note: All the
GF prices I have estimated so far EXCLUDE cart, you will have
to add an extra 12-18 $ for a cart, as a rule.
8) If we travel West now from Moffett Field, there is a whole other
world of courses. I will mention just a few. Let me begin with
DEEP CLIFF. This is a short course 18 holer. Great for your iron
game. Challenging, trees everywhere! You can get on as a single
almost anytime - just go and they will accomodate you. It is
in Cupertino in the West foothills about 15 miles from MF (max).
GF's are great $8.50 - needless to say, I play there a lot.
9) There is a similar 9 hole course near Deep Cliff - BLACKBERRY
FARM. It costs about $9 if you want to go around twice, deceptively
challenging. Course kept in excellent condition.
10) While I am mentioning 9 holers, there is one other: PRUNERIDGE.
Not the best of courses, but not too bad either. Receives a
lot of "traffic", seems to be a "hacker" hang-out. It's South
of Mf in San Jose. $5 Gf price worth the play though, and it
is a reasonably long and challenging course.
11) I omitted one other short course, this one is nearer to MF,
in Sunnyvale, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. It's called
SUNKEN GARDENS. 18 holes, looks easier to play than it is. Well
maintained, and cheap (GF $8). Pleasant course, easy to get
on if you are a single. If you want an accessible and moderately
challenging course, you might want to check it out. Lots of
people go there just for breakfast/lunch, good food.
12) If you leave the valley and travel into the Santa Cruz mountains,
you will find a couple of real nice courses. The most acclaimed
is PASATIEMPO. It is just off HWY 880 as you travel through
the mtns. toward the beach. Pasatiempo has rather an elitist
feel to it, but it is a challenging and professional course.
GF is around $35, depending on when you try to play. It is rated
as one of the better courses in the state.
13) For the $, there is another course near-by that is a joy to
play. BOULDER CREEK COUNTRY CLUB. It is in Boulder Creek, situated
in the Santa Cruz Mtns. near Big Basin state park. Very scenic,
Cal. redwoods and the like, it's worth playing just for the
view. Reasonably easy to pencil you in to their schedule (it's
off the beaten cart path) and you can play for under $30 (including
cart). Nothing easy about this course.
13) If you travel the only directly connecting road between the
two above mentioned courses, you will pass through Scott's Valley.
Scott's Valley has it's own public course. Not a great course,
but as is true with almost any course, it has it's own character
and challenges. You might want to give it a shot. I haven't
played there in a while, but I think GF's are $12-15.
I think I'll end this now. Of the courses I have thus far mentioned,
my personal favorites are:
SUNOL TULARCITOS SANTA CLARA G&TC SHORELINE - in that order,
for the "long courses" (6500 - 7500 yds.)
BOULDER CREEK DEEP CLIFF SUNKEN GARDENS - in that order,
for the "short courses" (under 6500 yds.) and usually par 60-65.
PASATIEMPO is of course an Excellent course, and of those mentioned
may be the best. Being a resident of the area and having access
to so many courses, Pasatiempo seems overrated to me; but it is
certainly NOT overrated for the visitor looking for a definitive
Bay area course. It is well worth the GF. And it is a great place
to stop over if you are heading for the Monterrey Bay area.
I hope to add more info. for you all, in case you grace our Silicon
Valley with a visit. There are MANY courses to choose from, depending
on your personal taste, there will be at least a few courses that
will cater to your golfing whims. Keep on strokin' and keep your
eye on the birdie!
Marvin Wash
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| re: .6
I don't live there, but I do like to play several courses there.
Suggest you try Pala Mesa, if you need a place to stay they have a
"Hole-in-one" that is $99 per person per night and includes 9 holes
on day of arrival and 18 the next day (for $10 you can play 18 on the
first day) and includes a fine breakfast, cocktail, range balls, club
storage, cart, everything. During the week you can get unlimited golf
with cart for $115/person and it includes breakfast and dinner(their
resturant is good!). You should also investigate Temecula Creek Inn,
which has 27 holes, similar packages and the finest of resturants. I
would also try Fallbrook Country Club. Another favorite of mine is
San Luis Rey Downs, and is usually easy to get on. Of course you are
close to Torrey Pines, which is listed in the top courses in the
nation. Torrey Pines is public and a little more difficult to get on,
but is a fantastic lay-out. Singing Hills (I think that is the name),
is reported to be a fine golf course, as is Rancho Bernardo. I have
also played El Camino, but that is in Oceanside and getting a ways away
from Rancho Bernardo. If you are a little adventourous you may want to
try Tijuana Country Club and/or Bajamar (Ensanada, B.C.) which are
both in Mexico. I listed these from memory, but if you have time, I'll
look them up for you and give you more info. I'd definitely play
Temecula Creek and Pala Mesa and they are close to Rancho Bernardo.
Big Mac
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