BEST PLACES to PLAY GOLF in and AROUND MARIN New Openings and Offerings by ROBERT KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS by ROBERT KAUFMAN
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THE LATESTDestinationsDestinations LOCAL TRAVEL DEALS AND GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE BEST PLACES TO PLAY GOLF IN AND AROUND MARIN New openings and offerings BY ROBERT KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT KAUFMAN Presidio Golf Course MARIN MAY 2021 69 Destinations / GO Windsor Golf Course With all the restrictions for group gatherings sic Bell bunker style with innovative green INDIAN VALLEY GOLF COURSE and outdoor activities during the COVID-19 contours and new holes, including risk-reward NOVATO pandemic, the sport of golf has been a silver par-4s, reachable par-5s and a par-3 that plays Indian Valley GC (1958), Marin County’s most lining having experienced a strong resurgence across a pond to a two-level green, the very remote golf challenge, is enhanced by game- in participation due to sprawling, socially- walkable 6,261-yard layout offers golfers a solid distracting scenery of protected farmland distanced playing fields. Whether a newcomer variety of shot-making. Also on site is Marin covering the rolling hills surrounding Stafford or seasoned veteran of the game, Marin County County’s all-grass driving range, practice Lake. Steeped in its blue-collar roots with a golfers are gifted with a treasure chest of greens and chipping area. family atmosphere, the 6,374-yard hidden nearby “safe” spaces canvassing a variety of gem yields a variety of 18 holes playing around MILL VALLEY GOLF CLUB landscapes where they can tee it up to enjoy an woodlands and wetlands but, perhaps, the MILL VALLEY outing with family and buddies. Where views most unique feature of any golf course is the Mill Val- are par for the course, here’s a glimpse at some Marin County’s oldest golf course, elevator for transporting energetic walkers up ley GC of the region’s best public golf courses. (1919), is a well-preserved nine-hole a steep grade from hole #13 to #14. layout designed by Dad Clark, a greenskeeper PEACOCK GAP GOLF CLUB and professional golfer. Beautifully tucked SAN RAFAEL amongst 42 acres of hills, creeks, and mature WINDSOR GOLF COURSE Peacock Gap GC (1960) was designed by Wil- redwoods this old-school golf experience will Windsor liam F. Bell and later renovated (early 2000’s) provide a satisfying challenge that will test ev- As a one-time host to several PGA Ben Hogan by Forrest Richardson. By blending the clas- ery club in your bag throughout the 2,096-yard Tour and Nike Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) layout (2,116 yards/back nine). For a briefer tournaments, Windsor GC (1989) in Sonoma WANT MORE? xx marinmagazine.com/wine- golf fix, the par-3 Short Course was established Wine Country is a challenging 6,599-yard country. as a course within a course. layout uncluttered by neighboring homes that 70 MAY 2021 M A R I N carves through a gently rolling landscape with a multitude of visual treats, including the club’s signature Silo, native oaks, and strategically- placed ponds. NORTHWOOD GOLF CLUB MONTE RIO Adjacent to the Russian River in Sonoma Northwood GC County, (1928) was designed by Links at Bodega Harbor famed architect Alister MacKenzie (Meadow Club, Cypress Point, Augusta National) in col- Golf Hall of Fame member and co-owner, laboration with Robert Hunter, as a creation CHARDONNAY GOLF CLUB & Johnny Miller. Both offer an abundance of for the exclusive Bohemian Club. Now open to VINEYARDS COURSE water and large greens, however, the 7,166- the public, the friendly staff is super welcom- NAPA yard North Course, which hosts the annual ing at this picturesque 2,893-yard nine-hole Searching for an authentic wine country golf PGA Tour Safeway Open, is longer and more course with narrow fairways weaving around experience? Chardonnay GC (1986) serves up straightforward than the hillier 6,612-yard strands of towering Redwoods. the quintessential tasting. Void of any private residences, golfers will need only avoid hit- South Course with less room for error. Don’t miss the famous “burger dog” available at the THE LINKS AT BODEGA HARBOUR ting their golf ball into the countless rows of snack shack. BODEGA BAY Chardonnay, Merlot & Pinot Noir grapevines Hugging Sonoma County’s coastline with bordering the fairways. There are no wine TPC HARDING PARK The Links at sampling stations available on the 18-hole, spectacular Pacific Ocean views, SAN FRANCISCO Bodega Harbour (back nine, 1978/front nine, 6,773-yard course but the layout does feature a Surrounded by Monterey Cypress trees and 1987) guarantees a happier birdie experience unique blend of six par fives, six par fours, and Lake Merced, TPC Harding Park (1925) is than Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds filmed near- six par threes. where San Francisco-born golf legends Johnny by. With rolling hills and undulating greens Miller, Ken Venturi, and George Archer honed dominating this Scottish-style links designed SILVERADO RESORT & SPA their game. Following a $16 million restoration by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the front nine is de- NAPA project in 2002-03, the 6,845-yard treasure has manding with strategically-placed pot bunkers, Napa Valley’s renown wine country and 36 hosted multiple pro tournaments, including while the back nine presents wider fairways golf holes at the iconic Silverado Resort & Spa the Presidents Cup (2005) and the 2020 PGA and a dramatic three-hole finish. exemplify the consummate pairing. With two championship courses redesigned by World Championship. The Fleming 9 course (2,165 yards) was added in 1961 in the interior of the 18-hole layout. PRESIDIO GOLF COURSE SAN FRANCISCO Overlooking the gateway to San Francisco Bay, Presidio GC (1895) is the second oldest course west of the Mississippi. Before transitioning to a public course in 1995, play was restricted to military officers and the likes of Joe DiMag- gio, Babe Ruth and Dwight Eisenhower. The deceivingly long 6,481-yard hilly layout within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area me- anders around Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine trees and is a mission worth undertaking. Robert Kaufman is apudae eos ma vitemqu asinctur, audaepe rferitin elestrum quae sum et volum as deb- itaqui volorro ma voluptat voloremquist que natibus TPC Harding Park eaque magnam re siti rehent, unt, quoditem. Itam, nem fugia quam int, voluptate moluptat volupta MARIN MAY 2021 71 .