Rolling into San Francisco there are a lot of golfing options, some better
than most but one that combines affordability with access and some
respectable views is the Lincoln Park Golf Course. Established as an
eighteen hole course by 1914 (it started as a three holer in 1902) on the
grounds of a former cemetery, the course is fairly basic (just 5146 yards
long) but the setting is exceptional. The Golden Gate Bridge is in view
on various holes and the mix of striking tree lines and ever present
wildlife will easily maintain your interest. The 17th tee presents a particu-
larly great background for photos with the world renowned structure of
the Golden Gate Bridge in the near distance.
On a much grander scale, Harding Park Golf Course is one “public” golf
course you just have to try and get to. The host course for the 2009
President’s Cup came to life in 1925 and the facility includes a short
course as well as the main layout. Set along Lake Merced, its features
are similar to other nearby private courses like the famed Olympic Club,
Lincoln Park with rolling fairways and towering Monterey Cypress trees.
I could get into a month of activities to do while you are in the Bay area
but since I am sticking to golf we will head to our next stop north of the city.
This one is not well known…yet.
The Bodega Harbour Golf Links is the kind of golf course that leaves you
breathless talking about it – it’s that special. While many people spend
their time in Sonoma County traipsing through the valleys of vineyards,
over on the coast you can play Bodega, characterized by their market-
ing people as “a touch of Scotland on the Sonoma Coast”. I would have
to say it has a Scottish look – but the chances of good weather are
MUCH better!
At 6275 yards, many elite golfers dismiss the Bodega layout before they
even play it but the length is no indication of how the course plays. When
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. laid out the track he did so by making efficient use
of the ocean views, which, in turns, means a lot of wind affected shots.
Not enough holes play right next to the ocean for my taste (property
developers got most of those lots) but in the early morning and late
evening light the look is nothing but admirable. When you consider that
you can play the course for under $100 (a deal in Northern California)
then you have what can only be termed a great value.
Edgewood-Tahoe Resort
Mountain Highs
As charming as the Northern California coastline is, there is much more
to this region (golf and otherwise) than the land edging the Pacific.
“Bookending” the magnificence is eastern side of the state. If you go
west from the Bay area – through Sacramento on the way to Reno – the
mountain glory of Northern California blooms before you.
Known throughout the world as a winter playground, the Lake Tahoe
area is gaining an equal reputation for being the Summer Sun getaway
in the High Sierras. As astounding as the region is when glistening
under heavy snow cover – the vibrancy of its’ green forests and trees is
hard to match in the summer season.
There is no better representation for golf in the Tahoe area than the
Edgewood-Tahoe Resort. The home to the 1985 US Senior Open
Championship, it well established as the patriarch of resorts in the area.
Built in 1968 along the south shore of Lake Tahoe, the Edgewood
Resort At Squaw Creek
course is easily one of the most scenic in the world. The constant views
of the snow-capped mountain tops and pristine lake waters, contrasted
52 FLAGSTICK FOR WOMEN
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