Tag Archives: links

July 13, 2011 · 4:40 pm

The 140th Open Championship at the Royal St. George’s Golf Club Preview

The 12th green at Royal St. George's; Photo By: Pet_r

It’s that time of year again…time to set the alarm for an obnoxiously early rise, pre-make the coffee the night before, and groggily enjoy the BBC’s bumbling video coverage of one of golf’s most important/prestigious tournaments…The Open Championship (or I supposed one could simply set their DVR and sleep in).  This year, the Royal St. George’s Golf Club in southeastern England plays host to its’ 14th Open Championship (coverage begins Thursday morning at 4am EST on ESPN and on Direct TV’s channel’s 701-705).  The course was the was the first to host the Open Championship outside of Scotland in 1894 and last hosted the tournament in 2003 when Ben Curtis, the 396th ranked player in the world at the time, came out of nowhere to win the Claret Jug.   

The 2011 version of Royal St. George’s is largely recognizable as the same course players faced in 2003, but there are some notable changes.  The 1st fairway, where only 30% of the players Continue reading →

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June 18, 2011 · 7:30 pm

Wildcreek Golf Course Review

Wildcreek Golf Course with downtown Reno in the distance

Wildcreek Golf Course is an 18 hole public course operated by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (a 9 hole executive course is also located on site). The course is an eclectic expression of grassy, river, and mountain/desert municipal style courses.  The diversity of the course offers, at times, an aesthetically appealing and challenging design, making it understandable why Wildcreek was the host of three Senior PGA tournaments.  However, time and financial hardships have reduced the overall quality of the course from a professional tour stop to that of your average municipal track. 

3500 Sullivan Lane
Sparks, NV 89431 (Google Maps)
775.673.3100
Wildcreek Golf Course Website

Men’s Tee Par 72 (Rating/Slope)

  • Gold 7047 yards (73.3/132)
  • Blue 6711 yards (71.6/130)
  • White 6291 yards (69.5/125)
  • Red 5575 yards (66.5/115)

Women’s Tee Par 72 Rating/Slope)

  • White 6291 yards (76.1/137)
  • Red 5575 yards (69.9/127)

Course Designer: Brad Benz and Michael Poellot
Course Record: 63

Green Fees (cart included)

  • Regular Weekdays- $30-49
  • Regular Weekends- $35-59
  • Punch Card 5 Rounds- $200
  • Punch Card 10 Rounds- $300
  • Punch Card 20 Rounds- $500

Seasonal Passes

  • $1675 ($5 cart fee per round and includes membership in men’s club)
  • $2350 (no cart fees and includes membership in men’s club)

Rental Fees

  • Carts (no GPS)- included
  • Rental Clubs- $30
  • Pull Carts- included

Range Fees

  • Small bucket- $3
  • Large bucket- $5
  • 12 large buckets- $40
  • 22 large buckets- $66

Driving Range

Practice Area

The open and expansive all grass driving range has two levels to hit from, accommodating a large number of golfers.  North facing the range is lacking accurate yardage markers, but has numerous distance targets for practicing.   The hitting area is level, grass quality is good, and they are mats present for the wetter months.

The putting green, located between the clubhouse and the range, is large and offers multiple undulations that are more severe than the conditions found on the course.  A chipping green is locate adjacent to the putting green, along with a bunker and is large enough to accommodate up to 3 golfers at one time.

The Course

Cut into the hills in the northern Reno/Sparks area, Wildcreek Golf Course is nearly Continue reading →

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June 9, 2011 · 12:29 pm

Wingpointe Golf Course Review

Located next to Salt Lake International Airport, Wingpointe Golf Course is an 18-hole municipal course operated by the City of Salt Lake.  The open and expansive links style course strikes a balance between rolling burns, light-to-medium rough, and water hazards. A solid municipal course, Wingpointe’s layout is enhanced by the captivating views of the Wasatch Mountains. However, the course’s challenging design isn’t exactly memorable or exciting enough to warrant Golf Digest’s ranking of Wingpointe as the 45th best municipal golf course in America.

3602 West 100 North
Salt Lake City, UT 84122 (Google Maps)
Phone: 801.575.2345
Wingpointe Golf Course Website

Men’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Black 7185 yards (73.3/130)
  • Blue 6665 yards (71.5/126)
  • Silver 6096 yards (69.0/121)

Women’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Silver 6096 yards (71.6/123)
  • Gold 5228 yards (67.1/113)

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Arthur Hills
Course Record: 61

Chipping Area

Playing Season

Wingpointe is open year around, as long as the course is free of snow.  It is usually the first of the city’s golf courses to open after snow storms or heavy rain.

Green Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Regular- $15/30
  • Senior- $12/24
  • Junior- $7/14

Seasonal Pass Information: click here

Rental Fees (9/18 holes)

  • Carts- $6.5/13
  • Low End Rental Clubs- $7/14
  • High End Rental Clubs- $15/30
  • Pull Carts- $2/4

Range Fees

  • Small bucket- $4
  • Large bucket- $7

Wingpointe's Driving Range

Practice Area

The opening and expansive all grass driving range faces in a south-easterly direction. There is typically a slight to heavy cross wind blowing from the front or back right side of the range.  A mixture of grass and dirt the range has yardage markers as well as positional flags for aiming purposes.  The actual hitting grass conditions varies by the season, but are typically good. One drawback is the slightly depressed level of the range’s targets which are counter to the typically elevated targets found on the course.

Wingpointe has both a putting and chipping green. The putting green located between the first tee and driving range excellently resembles conditions and slopes found on the course’s greens.  While not expansive, the putting green will accommodate multiple golfers and is suitable for extended practicing.  The chipping green is located on the west side of the clubhouse and next to the 10th tee box.  It will accommodate up to three golfers practicing at one time.

The Course

Opened in 1990, Wingpointe is one of the newest Continue reading →

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May 22, 2011 · 8:39 am

Rosewood Lakes Golf Course Review

Rosewood Lakes is cut into the area's natural wetlands

The city of Reno’s Rosewood Lakes Golf Course is a 18 hole links style course located near the city’s airport.  Abound with natural wetlands and water hazards, the course presents a quirky and unusual challenge.   Constant winds, obscured landing areas , and narrow fairways make Rosewood one of the  more confounding courses in the Reno area.  Additionally, odd operating hours and a staff which mimics the course’s quirky design unfortunately contribute to making Rosewood Lakes an unpredictable and unfulfilling golf experience.

6800 Pembroke Drive
Reno, Nevada 89502 (Google Maps)
Phone: 775.857.2892
Rosewood Lakes Website

Men’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Blue 6693 yards (70.7/125)
  • White 6104 yards (68.0/115)
  • Gold 5481 yards (65.2/105)
  • Red 5073 yards (63.0/100)

Women’s Tees Par 72 (rating/slope)

  • Gold 5481 yards (70.0/123)
  • Red 5073 yards (67.8/118)

Scorecard: click here
Course Designer: Brad Benz
Course Record (Men): 62

Green Fees (18 holes)

  • Regular- $12-29
  • Senior- $9.50-24
  • Junior- $7-19

Rental Fees

Rosewood Lakes Putting Green and Driving Range

  • Carts- $-10
  • Rental Clubs- $8-16
  • Pull Carts- $2-3

Range Fees

  • Small Bucket- $3
  • Medium Bucket- $6
  • Large Bucket- $9

Practicing Area

The all grass driving range at Rosewood Lakes faces a westerly direction and parallels the road adjoining the course.  Lacking visual appeal, the range is deficient in grass growth, but does have good yardage markers.  Aside from its appearance, the constant winds that blow from varying directions make Rosewood’s range ideal for wind practice, but not necessarily swing practice.

Located next to Pro Shop the putting green is large enough to accommodate multiple golfers.  Although not necessarily representational of the slopes found on the course, the putting green offers a solid area to work on ones short game.

The Course

Being a water hazard laden links course in the middle of Reno’s high desert makes Rosewood Lakes one of Continue reading →

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