RUBY HILL GOLF CLUB (1996)

 

BAY AREA REGION

Members only - 18 hole

3404 West Ruby Hill Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Tel: (925) 417-5850 

 

Designed by Jack Nicklaus. This is a long, relatively open course that plays among upscale housing. It is forgiving off the tee and places a premium on the approaches to the subtle, immaculate greens. From Walnut Creek (about 25 miles south to the course): Take I-680 south. Take the Bernal Avenue exit and go east about three miles. Turn right on Vineyard Avenue and go almost three miles. Turn right into the golf club. Housing dominates this private course that was built on a windy, barren site.

 

RUSTIC CANYON GOLF COURSE (2002)

 

CENTRAL COAST REGION

Muncipal - 18 hole - cost: $20 - $50

15100 Happy Canyon Road, Moorpark, CA 93201

Tel: (805) 530-0221

 

Designed by Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackelford. This 2002 production has received national acclaim for its minimalist design, which includes wide fairways and firm, fast greens, and some rugged scruffy-looking bunkering. The course is eminently playable as its broad fairways and relatively open greens make bogeys very possible for the average player. That said, the complexities of the greens and proper approach angles will challenge the expert to break par. From Los Angeles: Take Highway 101 north to Highway 23 North to Los Angeles Avenue. Drive north to Happy Canyon Road. Turn left to the golf course. Rustic Canyon deserves its praise. The price, conditioning, ambience, and design make it one of the West's best values. Don't be fooled by its open appearance. It will take anyone several visits to begin to decipher its subtleties and angles of approach to its complex and challenging greens -- very interesting.

 

RYDE HOTEL AND GOLF COURSE, THE (1994)

 

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION

Resort - 9 hole - cost: $6 - $12

14340 Highway 160, Ryde, CA 95680

Tel: (916) 776-1318 

 

Designed by Algie Pulley, Jr. Carved out of a pear orchard (with 300 trees still remaining), the Ryde Golf Course is a friendly layout with no hole over 1 20 yards long. The Ryde Hotel was built in 1927 at the peak of the prohibition era and was known for its speakeasy, jazz, and hosting celebrities and politicians. The hotel was brought back to life in 1998. From Sacramento: Take I-5 South to the Twin Cities Road exit. At the stop sign turn right and follow the signs to Walnut Grove. Go through Locke to Walnut Grove. Turn right over the bridge, then turn left onto Highway 160. Follow Highway 1 60 for three miles to Ryde.