CINNABAR HILLS GOLF CLUB (1998)

BAY AREA REGION

Public - 27 hole -cost: $55 - $100

23600 McKean Road, San Jose, CA 95141

Tel: (40B) 323-7815  

Designed by John Harbottle III. There are three nines, the Lake, Canyon, and Mountain Courses. Terrific views, abundant bunkering, and lightning-quick greens characterize the 27 holes. The yardage listed is for the lake and Mountain nines. Give yourself some extra time to check out the golf memorabilia in the clubhouse. From within San Jose: Off US 101, take the Bernal Avenue exit and head west. Turn left on Santa Teresa and travel about four miles. Turn right on Bailey Avenue. Turn left when it dead-ends. Even if there were a bountiful supply of upscale daily fee facilities in San Jose (there is not), you would still want to play Cinnabar. The course to watch out for is the Mountain Course. Do not pick your tees based on yardage. Save yourself some strokes; ask the pro shop for some assistance.

CLAREMONT COUNTRY CLUB (1904)

BAY AREA REGION

Members only - 18 hole

5295 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, GA 94618

Tel: (510) 655-2431

Designed by Alister Mackenzie. This well-maintained old layout features some excellent holes. Its tree-lined fairways are compressed into a small plot of land. An unusual feature is that three holes cross each other. From San Francisco (about 15 miles east to the course): Take I-80 east to Highway 24 toward Walnut Creek. Exit at Broadway and turn right. Go two miles and then turn left on Broadway Terrace. The club is on the right.