Handicapping the Mid-Valley’s golf scene
July 29th, 2011, 5:55 pm · 1 Comment · posted by Jimmy Graben
So about a year ago, I made the monumental mistake of taking up the sport of golf.
For some reason, through all of the water hazards, bunkers, tree branches and thickets my golf balls have traversed over the past 12 months, I’m addicted.
It’s too late to turn back now. There’s something I love about teaching myself something new and, sometimes, well, more like rarely, I actually happen to play pretty well.
During the swing process, a million little things I’ve picked up through magazines, the Golf Channel and people I’ve played with are all going through my head at the same time. Hitting the ball straight and in the air is hard, but staying mentally tough can be the most difficult part.
I don’t consider myself a golf course aficionado, however I believe part of the fun of golf is getting a group together and discovering new courses.
However, the current state of the economy is a big deterrent for people to spend their money on recreation.
The Mid-Valley provides some affordable options when it comes to golf.
I’ve compiled a list of golf courses in the tri-county area (Yuba, Sutter, Colusa) based on some of my own observations.
Here are the rankings counting down from No. 7 to No. 1:
7) Mallard Lake Golf Course (Yuba City)
Founded in 1972 as a par-3 course, Mallard is now a nine-hole course located off Highway 99 south of Yuba City.
Though not the most aesthetically pleasing course in the area, Mallard can still provide somewhat of a challenge, considering the price. A mere $18 will get you unlimited play beginning at noon.
Mallard also houses the largest driving range in the area, which is what most patrons utilize rather than the course itself.
It’s cheap, convenient and a good place to sharpen up one’s game in the offseason before moving on to larger courses.
6) Coyote Run Golf Course (Beale Air Force Base)
Coyote Run began as a nine-hole course like Mallard before expanding to 18 in 1998.
Best piece of advice for someone who hasn’t played there – AVOID THE ROUGH!
Easier said than done, but the rough at Coyote Run is like hacking at weeds in the backyard of a foreclosed home.
Making a tee time isn’t any easier.
Patrons most go through military security and the drive out to Beale takes a little while.
Coyote Run has a great deal though for golfers who want to play after 1 p.m. – it’s only $20 for a cart and green fees.
5) Colusa Golf & Country Club (Colusa)
Coming in to Colusa on Highway 20, the first things you can see to your left are the pristine fairways at Colusa Golf & Country Club.
The course is immaculate and has wide open fairways that are pretty forgiving if you tend to slice.
The clubhouse features one of the coolest things I’ve seen at a course.
Housed in a glass case is an old-school putter with a plaque describing how a man once shot par at Colusa using only his putter. Try reading that statement after shooting a 92!
4) Arbuckle Golf Club (Arbuckle)
This course is an absolute gem.
Tucked away in Colusa County, Arbuckle is a nine-hole course with some of the toughest greens you’ll ever play. Basically, it’s like putting on ice.
The course opened in 1925 and is open to the public, but also houses a country club.
The drive to Arbuckle is about thirty minutes from Yuba City, though completely worth it for the $9 twilight rates.
The only thing disappointing about this course is that there’s not nine more holes.
3) Plumas Lake Golf & Country Club (Olivehurst)
Similar to Arbuckle, Plumas’ greens are not only fast but have nasty breaks.
This can be attributed to a 2006 renovation project the course performed on all 18 putting greens.
The course opened in 1926 and is considered by many to be one of the top public golf courses in the north state. Plumas has twice been ranked in the top 100 public golf courses in America by Golf Digest magazine.
My happiest golf moment came at Plumas a couple months ago when I birdied the ninth hole, arguably the most difficult hole on the course.
For location, quality and ambiance I don’t think it gets much better than Plumas in the Mid-Valley.
2) River Oaks Golf Club (Nicolaus)
Formerly named Rio La Paz, River Oaks is my top public course in the area, just narrowly surpassing Plumas.
The one thing I like about River Oaks over Plumas are the wide open fairways. As a beginner and high handicapper, Plumas’ narrow fairways can wreak havoc on someone like me.
The spacious River Oaks isn’t as picturesque as tree-ladened Plumas, but the course treats my scorecard a little better.
River Oaks has a deal going right now that gets a player a cart and 18 holes for $33 on weekdays.
The drive to south Sutter County isn’t quick, but River Oaks is a pleasant course hidden next to the Sacramento River within decent driving distance.
1) Peach Tree Golf & Country Club (Marysville)
It’s the only private course in the area and, for me, the nicest.
Some of the things that are nice about private courses: There’s a pile of balls waiting for you at the range to warm up, water coolers on every other hole and the fairways, rough and greens are pristine.
The course itself is pretty straightforward; nothing too challenging or stressful.
Fairways are lined with beautiful trees, greens feel like the grass at Wimbledon and it’s not too hard to find an errantly hit ball – a big plus for me!
Right now the club is offering memberships for $260 per month, an absolute steal.
If I had to pick one course in the area to play every day on a membership plan, Peach Tree would be it.
Oh, and by the way, the food is outstanding!
(Photos from Appeal-Democrat archives)
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I would have made Peach Tree #3. Not because of anything bad about the course, everything you said about it is correct. But it is private,therefore it is off limits to most golfers in the mid-valley and as such, should not be ahead of two very nice courses like Plumas Lake and River Oaks.
Great write and read though. You were spot on with your comments on the courses, and though I can’t golf at Peach Tree I have par-taken of thier menu a few times… Yum!