how did you come up with a single rating? Simple, we fully rated the hole to both greens, and then aver- aged the yardage and our numbers. Same scenario for No. 18 at Sun- nyside CC in Fresno—straightaway OR dogleg left par-5s that share the fi rst 400-plus yards of fairway. No. 18 at Silver Creek Valley CC (San Jose) features two holes/one green. It alternately plays as a dogleg par 4 with water to the left, OR, a par 3 over water from a different angle. No rating both ways and averaging here. If you play the hole as a par 3, post to the ratings with the “Short 18” exten- sion in the tee name.
Decisions, Decisions Most split fairways offer a stan-
dard shot to one side, and a high-risk, dogleg-cutting option to the other. Are there any better examples than No. 18 at Castle Oaks GC (Ione) and No. 15 at Yocha Dehe GC (Brooks)? And in case you’re wondering, we tend to lean the rating towards the prudent golfer, not the golfer with a death wish. No. 14 at San Juan Oaks GC
(San Juan Bautista) bucks conven- tional wisdom by offering two equally reasonable options. Left might be the tougher tee shot, but presents an easier approach. Vice versa for right. We rated the hole both ways and averaged our numbers. Lastly, No. 18 at Oakhurst CC
(Clayton) almost dares the Bogey golfer to hit a good tee shot just to torment him with a smorgasbord of second shot options. An all-carry, hero’s shot over water, or a lay-up/ bail to one of perhaps three different
locations, each with a spiraling degree of diffi culty. Yikes!
Trees That Hug As a native of the Pacifi c North-
west, I love my trees. But trees are by far the most subjective, most diffi cult obstacle to rate. Personally, I get a kick out of trees
that get right in your face (“go over me, under me, or around me”). Holes with bravado like No. 9 at Plumas Lake GCC (Olivehurst) and No. 18 at Diablo CC. Bonus points galore. Is there anything better than suc-
cessfully negotiating a narrow chute of trees? Try kicking a fi eld goal between the two towering guardians of the fi fth fairway at Lake Almanor CC (eight paces wide, 150 yards off the tee). Tee it up way back on No. 6 at Mace Meadow GCC in Pioneer, stare down that sliver of daylight that leads to the fairway, and then get back to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan
of links golf, but trees are more per- sonal, and my admiration for them has only increased since living and working here. Every time I take a spin around 17-Mile Drive, I pause along the 14th fairway at Cypress Point to drink in the wildest trees I’ve ever seen. Every time I step to the third tee at Old Brockway GC (Kings Beach), I feel a sense of anticipation for the treasures I am about to experience the next seven holes. Every time I visit Furnace Creek GC, I marvel at the drooping branches of the Tamarisk trees. I’ve saved the best for last. My
affection for Baywood GCC (Arcata) began with my fi rst visit. How can you not fall in love with a place that
How do you determine the course rating for No. 14 at San Juan Oaks? Play it both ways, and average the rating.
The 18th hole at Lake Chabot plummets more than 200 feet.
has Redwoods framing many of the fairways and greens? And no, going over these trees is not an option. No. 14 is my favorite hole, but every time I play No. 16, I take a detour to the left to check out the gigantic shells of some ancient Redwoods. You have to see it and breathe it, to believe it. Trees may be hardest obstacle to rate, but they are satisfying to the soul.
Thrill Seekers A bucket list of holes to discover in Northern California
No. 1 Ukiah Valley GC, par 4 No. 3 Old Brockway GC (Kings Beach), par 3 No. 5
Lake Almanor CC, par 4
No. 6 Mace Meadow GCC (Pioneer), par 5 No. 8
Gilroy GC, par 3
No. 9 Plumas Lake GCC (Olivehurst), par 4 No. 9 Tehama GC (Monterey), par 5 No. 11 The Ranch (San Jose), par 4 No. 11 Moraga CC, par 4 No. 13 Coyote Moon GC (Truckee), par 3 No. 14 Cypress Point Club (Pebble Beach), par 4 No. 14 San Juan Oaks GC (San Juan Bautista), par 4 No. 15 Yocha Dehe GC (Brooks), par 4 No. 15 Nicklaus Club-Monterey, par 4 No. 15 Lakeridge GC (Reno), par 3 No. 16 Baywood GCC (Arcata), par 5 No. 16 Blackhawk CC – Lakeside (Danville), par 3 No. 18 Lake Chabot GC (Oakland), par 5 No. 18 Sunnyside CC (Fresno), par 5 No. 18 Silver Creek Valley CC (San Jose), par 3/4 No. 18 Castle Oaks GC (Ione), par 4 No. 18 Oakhurst CC (Clayton), par 4 No. 18 Diablo CC (Danville), par 5
WINTER 2015 /
NCGA.ORG / 45
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