No, it’s not the Monterey Peninsula or the much heralded Strand at Myrtle Beach, but with an array of quality golf courses, and some of the sweetest air and natural eye candy on the planet – all within an hour or so radius of Reno, golf in the Sierra is clearly one of the gems of the game. From the majesty of Tahoe to the mountain forests of Northern California, it’s all here, offering an assortment of design types, course styles and topography.
Many of the Sierra courses have been constructed only within the last decade or so – so it’s still a relatively new area golf-wise. “You won’t run into huge crowds here,” says Mike Mazzaferri, honorary President of the Northern California section of the PGA. “This area is still young, and there are a lot of good values, and it’s a good time to come.” And while courses in the desert regions, Reno and the Carson Valley, and some of the foothill areas are open year round, those operations in the higher elevations at Tahoe, Plumas County, and Truckee have abbreviated seasons – usually closed from November through April. Here’s a rundown of just a few of the more than 90 courses that make up the overall Sierra Tahoe golf scene.
If you remember Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable chasing wild mustangs in The Misfits, this is the countryside and landscape we’re talking about. And much of that western flavor still lingers. Flat, almost always windswept, with lots of airspace and big-time bunkers, the Dayton Valley Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay creation, is all right there in front of you – no blind shots, nothing really tricky. Plenty of water though – on more than half the holes on the course – as well as some long, windy, forced-carries over the par threes.
Dayton Valley is a lot of work, but it’s fun work. Perhaps the crown of Carson City’s Divine Nine courses, this one hasn’t really changed over the years, with little need to lengthen or adapt it to modern equipment. It remains the site of first stage PGA tour qualifying, as it has since 1995, a testament to the caliber of its challenge. There is one alternation, however, a new full-service clubhouse that opened in the fall of 2006.
If a little more luxury and romance is what you had in mind, the Plumas/Graeagle area is a getaway spot for those who really want to escape in style. Deep within the California timberland is an enclave of civilization with a nice upscale bent. Formerly known as the Dragon, the Nakoma Golf Resort is slated to re-open this spring. With a historic clubhouse, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1924, the Dragon received high critical praise when this Robin Nelson course first opened in 2000. Glorious, fun and elegantly woodsy, it winds through the mountains, with every hole providing something different – splendid views, towering pines, and a myriad of elevated tees. It’s tricky too, requiring both knowledge and heart.
Nakoma makes a statement and keeps you off pace and out-of-step. You’re not going to be able to bang away with a driver on every hole here, and when you do get the opportunity, you’re strangely out of that big dog rhythm. The big guy hasn’t hunted for awhile and might have lost the scent. Far from a been-there-done-that situation however, this is one where you’ll want to come back and get your licks in again. It’s little wonder that this re-opening has been highly anticipated by the golfing public.
Less than a 10-minute drive from Nakoma is the Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club. The Mohawk Valley is known as something very quiet and special, and this course has a lot to offer – alpine air, skyscraper pines, five separate lakes, lots of streams, assorted meadows, and a morning tulle fog that clings atop the fairways like gray cotton candy. Nestled in the foothills, Whitehawk is more open than other mountain courses, having both a pine forest and open meadow feel to this Dick Bailey 1995 design. Enjoyable for all level of players, Whitehawk is known for its colorful wildflowers and is a favorite getaway for Sierra locals looking for an enjoyable afternoon round.
This too, is one of those courses that you won’t get tired of playing. Perennially in good shape, it’s often regarded as a special place to go and play. The secret may be that the greens, though multi-tiered, are fairly flat, and golfers can make a few birdies, shoot some good scores, and feel good about the experience. There’s just enough challenge to make it interesting, but not overbearing.
It’s hard not to include Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in any discussion of Sierra golf – it’s the benchmark of the region. There are perhaps only a dozen courses in the country that are true scenic treasures, where the beauty of the surroundings exceeds the test of golf, and Edgewood is one of them. Set on the shores of Lake Tahoe, it is simply a must play if you’re anywhere nearby and can get on – because this one is busy! They limit the number of tee times to 12-minute intervals, and only a certain number of golfers are allowed on per day. And they won’t let you tee off until the group in front is hitting on the second hole. Not only is pace highly regulated, but play itself is monitored, and the course is kept in top condition as a result.
Regarding Lake Tahoe, “Any Faulkner description of less than 10,000 words would be insufficient to describe it,” says Paul Lane, General Manager at Nakoma, and long-time Head Professional and Director of Golf at various Sierra operations. It’s difficult to argue then when the publicists for the American Century Celebrity tournament tout their venue at Edgewood as one of the most beautiful in the world. This one is clearly a mountain do!
It’s been said that the Truckee area is now developing an almost Aspen-like feel. With its own airport, and a group of superlative private courses, it’s becoming yet another haven for the luxury market. Coyote Moon, though decidedly upscale, is one that you can play, however, without having connections or a membership. Carved out of Ponderosa pines, with large granite outcroppings and some major elevation changes, this Brad Bell design debuted to immediate acclaim when it opened in 2000.
One of the highest elevated courses in the region at 6,800 feet above sea level, the stand-alone track stretches to over 7,100 yards as it rolls through 250 acres of pines without a single home to disturb the view. The ball does travel farther here too. You’ll probably have to throttle back a couple of clubs for most shots, as these higher elevations can yield as much as 10 percent more distance per club. You’ll think you’re a hero, knocking down monster drives and blowing over forced carries with a new-found abandon. But hit it off the fairway here and you’re in deep forest. Every hole is different, and obviously very scenic. You’ll play Coyote Moon and come off thinking, “I had a lot of fun.” This is one that won’t beat you up, but is still an excellent design, with varied topography and a first-class golf experience.
For more information on Sierra golf, visit golfthehighsierra.com.
DAYTON VALLEY GOLF CLUB
51 Palmer Drive, Dayton, NV
775-246-7888
daytonvalley.com
NAKOMA GOLF RESORT
348 Bear Run, Clio, CA
530-832-5067
nakomagolfresort.com
WHITEHAWK RANCH
GOLF CLUB
768 Whitehawk Drive
Clio, CA 800-332-4295
golfwhitehawk.com
EDGEWOOD TAHOE
GOLF COURSE
Stateline, NV, 775-558-3566
edgewood-tahoe.com
COYOTE MOON
10685 Northwoods
Boulevard, Truckee, CA
530-587-0886
coyotemoongolf.com
