MATHER GOLF COURSE (1959)

 

GOLD COUNTRY REGION

Municipal - 18 hole - cost: $19 - $30

4103 Eagles Nest Road, Mather, CA 95655

Tel: (916) 364-4354

 

Designed by Jack Fleming. This former military facility is a park-setting course with tree-lined, wide, rolling fairways and many elevated tees. Mather has no hidden tricks, just a classic design that rewards the good shot and punishes the bad. In Sacramento (about 15 miles east to the course): From I-80 take the Sunrise Avenue exit and drive east. Take a right on Douglas Avenue and a left onto Eagles Nest Road, to the course.

 

MAYACAMA GOLF CLUB (2001)

 

NORTH COAST REGION

Members only: 18 hole

500 Shiloh Meadow Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Tel: (707) 543-8040

 

Designed by Jack Nicklaus. This is a Jack Nicklaus design with a combination of risk-reward par 5s, long par 4s, and challenging par 3s. The greens are subtle but roll true and are protour fast. The fairways are fairly wide, but the rough is thick. A wedge might be your only answer for getting back on the fairway. This is a great-looking course that will favor a low handicapper who can hit straight tee shots and high, soft irons. Guests of the course should bring dozens of balls and lots of patience. From San Francisco (about 60 miles north to the course): Take US 101 north to Santa Rosa, almost to Windsor. Exit onto Shiloh Road and head east. This is Jack Nicklaus's best design in California.