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California gold country/sierra nevada 

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Greenhorn Creek  (Angels Camp)

Teleli Golf Course  (Sonora)  Formerly Mountain Springs 

La Contenta  (Valley Springs)

River Creek  (Awahnee)

Wawona  (Yosemite National Park)

castle oaks  (IONE)

alta sierra  (grass valley) 

Greenhorn creek

Address:  711 McCauley Ranch Rd.  Angels Camp, Ca.  95222  Phone:  209-729-8111:  Website:  https://www.greenhorncreek.com 

Greenhorn Creek is a jewel.  it has just about all you would want in a golf course and is extremely playable and enjoyable.  There are forced carries, but those forced carries add to the flavor of the course and don't punish the golfer.  There are hills and bunkers and lakes but these only add to the beauty and enjoyment of the course.  My favorite hole is the par 5 4th where you have to hit your second shot over a low rock wall and my second favorite is the par 4 12th which demands an uphill drive and the fairway funnels into a narrow fairway up around the green.  Both are great holes.  The course is always in fantastic shape.  Play early because it tends to get hot up here during the summer months. 

tees

Gold  6744 YRDS.  Rating 73.2  Slope 142:  Blue  6214 YRDS.  Men  Rating 71.0  Slope  Women  Rating 76.0  Slope 133:  Blue/White  6014 YRDS.  Rating 70.0  Slope 133:  White  5708 YRDS  Men  Rating 68.6  Slope 127  Women  Rating 73.4  Slope 134:  White/Red  5385 YRDS.  Women  Rating 72.1  Slope 129:  Red  5192 RDS. Rating 70.7  Slope 125:  Green  4887 YRDS.  Women  Rating 69.5  Slope 122

 

Green Fees:  $35-$105

Range:  Yes

Teleli Golf Club  (formerly Mountain Springs)

Address:  17566 Lime Kiln Rd.  Sonora, Ca.  95370  Phone:  209-532-1000:  Website:  https://teleligolfclub.com

This golf course used to be called Mountain Springs and recently changed ownership.  The new owners are the Tuolumne band of The Miwok Indian Tribe who own Black Oak Casino and Resort.  I sort of knew that this change of ownership was in the works and I think it is a good thing for the course. When I played the course some months back it needed a lot of work and the former owner wasn't taking care of the course as should have been.  Let's see what happens.  As far as the course goes, it is hilly and it is very important that you play the right tees for your game.  I am going to go back and play it again and I should have an updated report for you soon.  I'm not going to comment on the conditions of the course because I'm sure they have been updated.  I know the management company that is operating the course now with the new owners and they are very much into improving the quality of play at their managed golf courses as well a priding the best golfing experience possible for their guests.

Tees

White  6119 YRDS.  Men Rating 69.7  Slope 121  Women 130:  Gold  5580 YRDS.  Men  Rating 66.8  Slope 117  Women  Rating 72.5  Slope 127:  Red  5073 YRDS.  Women  Rating 69.3  Slope 122

Rates:  $39-$59

Range:  Yes

La Contenta

Address:  1653 Ca.  Rte. 26  Valley Springs, Ca  95252  Phone:  209-772-1081  Website:  https://www.lacontentagolf.com

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This is another course that I have wanted to play and finally got the opportunity to do so.  The course is very hilly with water, but the water comes in places that make sense.  There are some fun holes on this course.  Two really stick out to me and those are the Par 3 13th and the Par 4 15th.  I will let you discover those holes for yourself.  I will say that there is never a dull moment when you play this course.  Its interesting and fun to play.

tees

Black  6141 YRDS.  Men  Rating 70.3  Slope 133:  White  5832 YRDS.  Men  69.0  Slope 130  Women  Rating 74.1  Slope 133:  Gold  5244 YRDS.  Men  Rating 66.7  Slope 120  Women  Rating 70.9  Slope 126:  Red  4756 YRDS.  Men  Rating 64.4  Slope 113  Women  Rating 68.1  Slope 121

Green Fees:  $29-$49

Range:  No (Nets)

River Creek Golf Course  (9 Holes)

address:  41709 Rd. 600  Awahnee, Ca.  93601  Phone:  559-683-5600  Website:  https:/www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com  

OK, so I admit it.  I am always hesitant to play a nine hole golf course.  I really didn't want to make the drive up to Awahnee to play this course.  I'm glad I did.  This course is a treat to play and has two sets of tees so that you can play the two nines from different angles. It has some great holes on it and the great holes start with the first hole, a tricky par 5.  The course is basically flat, although there are some elevation changes and is easily walkable even though it is a mountain course.  Set your GPS so that you don't get lost trying to find this course as you kind of have to want to find it to find it but the hunt is well worth it.  It is a kick to play.

Tees

Play The 9 Holes Twice Par 72

Black  6280 YRDS. Rating  69.6  Slope 129:  Blue  6074 YRDS. Rating 68.8  Slope 126:  White  5784 YRDS.  Rating 67.2  Slope 124:  Yellow  5408 YRDS.  Rating 65.8  Slope 122:  Red  5130 YRDS.  Rating 64.6  Slope 119 

Green Fees:  $45-$48

Range:  Yes

Big Trees (Formerly Wawona) golf course yosemite national park

address:  2005 Wawona Station  Yosemite National Park, Ca.  95389  Phone:  209-375-6572  Website:  https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/golfing

Yes, there is a golf course inside Yosemite National Park.  Its a 9 hole course built into a meadow a few miles into the southern gate of the park at what used to be know as Wawona.  I haven't been up there to play the course in many years, but it just doesn't change, but many times that's not a bad thing.  The course is a lot of fun to play.  It has its hills and one hole you have to use a periscope to see if the fairway in front of you is clear.  I remember the greens being fast.  Oh, and don't forget the tall pines that line most of the fairways.     

tees:  9 holes played twice

White  6004 YRDS.  Rating 68.7  Slope 124:  Red  5468 YRDS.  Men  Rating 66.4  Slope 120  Women  Rating 71.4  Slope 130

green fees:  $39 Plus Cart

Range:  No

castle oakls (ione, Ca) 

Address:  1000 Castle Oaks Drive  Ione, Ca.  95640   Phone:  209-274-0167

Website:  https://castleoaksgolf.com

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Of all the golf courses I have played, this ranks up there with my top ten favorites.  The course is challenging and always in great shape.  The architecture is challenging. but fair.  I am always impressed by the variety of holes on this course.  Yes there is water and yes you do have to play some strategic shots.  There are a few elevation changes as well and there are some barrancas that you must go over.  However, if you are strategic enough you will make out fine. There are no gimic holes, just some holes that will catch your interest.  The 16th hole is one of my favorite par 3 holes I have played in my golf career.  Watch out for the 18th though. Its about as "risk and reward" as there is. On the tee you have to ask yourself, "Do You feel lucky?"      

tees

Black  6739 YRDS.  Rating 72.3  Slope 127:  Blue  6356 YRDS.  Rating 70.5  Slope 124:  White  5948  YRDS.  Men:  Rating 68.5  Slope 121  Women:  Rating 74.9  Slope 124: 

Gold  5447  Men:  Rating 66.1  Slope 116  Women:  Rating  72.2  Slope 119: 

Red  5015 YRDS.  Rating 69.7  Slope 113

Driving Range: Yes

Green Fees:  $52-$62 Cart Included

 

    

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Alta Sierra Country Club (Grass Valley, Ca.)

Address:  11897 Tammy Way  Grass Valley, Ca.  95949   Phone:  530-273-2010

Website:  https://altasierracc.com

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Tall pines and green hilly fairways with a little water thrown is is a good description of this course. With that being said, is is a challenging but fair track.  I enjoy playing this course.  It has some great holes and you need to keep your wits about you and put the ball in some strategic places.  Many of the greens are elevated with a gentle uphill slope to the green.  I like the par 3's here.  They are picturesque and are a lot of fun to play.  In most cases on this course, you better not go long on most of the holes because you probably will have a steep walk back up to the green.  The course is generally in good shape but when the colder weather hits, the fairway bermuda goes dormant.  The greens are large and putt pretty true. The course is at about the 2000 ft. altitude and the ball does carry a little bit better than at sea level.  This carry is pretty much taken away by the up and down nature of the hole slopes, mostly uphill. The last two times my wife and I played here, the greens were fast.  If you like mountain courses, you will like this course a lot.

Tees

Black  6595 YRDS.  Rating 71.9  Slope 134:  Gold  6326 YRDS  Rating 70.8  Slope 130

Gold/Silver  5929 YRDS.  Rating 69.1  Slope 126: Silver  5675 YRDS.  Men:  Rating 67.5

Slope 124:  Women:  Rating 72.4  Slope 132:  Silver/Bronze Combo  4975 Yards 

Women:  Rating 68.7  Slope 121  

Range:  Yes

Green Fees:  $54-$49 Includes Cart 

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