PRUNERIDGE GOLF CLUB (1964)

 

BAY AREA REGION

Public - 9 hole - cost: $16 - $16

400 North Saratoga Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050

Tel: (408) 248-4424  

 

Designed by Jack Fleming, Robert Trent Jones Jr (redesign). Pruneridge has only two holes that run side by side, and the course is well maintained. The fairways are narrow and most are lined by town homes, so out-of-bounds does come into play. From San Jose (about five miles north to the course): Take I-280 north. Exit on Saratoga Avenue and turn right. The course is on the left, after Pruneridge Avenue.

 

QUAIL LODGE RESORT & GOLF CLUB (1964)

 

CENTRAL COAST REGION

Private Resort - 18 hole - cost:$90 - $180

8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel, CA 93923

Tel: (831) 620-8808  

 

Designed by Robert Muir Graves. Like most resorts, Quail Lodge is user friendly, but not a pushover. Use the driver early, but as you make the turn, think twice. The course tightens off the tee, the greens seem to shrink, and lateral hazards are more apparent. On the green, double-check your line. The greens don't break half as much as you think. From Monterey (about ten miles south to the course): Take Highway 1 south. Turn left on Carmel Valley Road and travel three and one-half miles to Valley Greens Drive, and turn right to the course. A 25 million dollar renovation will up the ante for all the other existing resorts in the Monterey Area.