I think Windsor fits pretty nicely into this agenda. It’s not very expensive, it’s walkable, and it is fun. It is close to 101 and the 101 route from the North Bay to Bandon, while a bit longer in drive time, is stunning (well worth a small detour along the way is Humboldt State Redwoods Park). As mentioned above, with Windsor you have proximity to Russian River Brewing for any beer snobs in the group.
Folks on here love Northwood. I’ll give a bit of a contrarian view. … if McKenzie’s name weren’t attached to it, I don’t think it would much of a draw. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun to play in the redwoods, and the lunch is great there, but for me the course is just not that interesting. Of course, I suck at golf so probably am not entitled to an opinion about course design.
Someone above alluded to the Central Valley route, taking 1-5. You might also consider the Links at Rolling Hills in Corning, between Sacramento and Red Bluff. Casino, supposedly fun course, and very convenient for your route. This would be easier to get to then Yocha Dehe (which is really good, by the way). I actually haven’t played Rolling Hills but heard good things.
I love Poppy hills, but youll be paying guest rates, so not the same value we NCGA members get. Still prefer poppy over Spyglass or Spanish but not a budget friendly option. I would definitely go play Northwood. Course is sick (I still dream about the second green) and playing in the redwoods is amazing.
Corica would probably be a better warm up for bandon, windy and firm, playing the ground game.
My buddies and I @bw72 road trip’d from the bay to bandon and stopped off at Northwood. that gets my vote
Considering you’ll be on the ocean at Bandon for multiple days, Pacific Grove and Northwood are going to pale in comparison. My expert recommendation would be go get a round in at Yocha Dehe, go get a great meal at the C2 steak and seafood house at the casino there, and then go stay off property. Last I checked, the hotel at cache Creek casino was way overpriced.
Windsor rocks. It’s not going to blow you away (that’s what you’ll get at bandon) but it’s very tight and a course that is certainly worth the stop given the price, quality of the course, & the conditties you’ll get out there. Surrounding food and drink alone would match what you could get down in Monterey peninsula. And to attest to what was mentioned above, the drive up 101 to bandon is totally worth the extra drive time, I’d go up there again for the drive alone.
We did this trip 2 years ago, and if you get up way north and need to stretch your legs, stop at Eureka GC for a quick 9 hole loop to get out of the car and poke it around. I wouldn’t make this your 1 course to stop at, but its like 4+ hours north of Windsor, and if you need a break, it’s a fun little stop assuming its not soaked(which i presume it gets).
Okay, Northwood is the stop. I’m committing. Going to rub it in and let y’all know what the full itinerary is now:
Friday after work: Drive to SB
Saturday: drive to Northwood, dinner at Russian River, book it to Gold Beach, OR
Sunday: Bandon Crossings, preserve in the afternoon
M-W: 36+ holes each day at Bandon
Thursday: Preserve once more, Bar Run (new Dan Hixson design on the Umpqua River)
Friday: Rustic Canyon sunset round
Won’t be sleeping for the next 23 days out of excitement.
I’m still a little butt hurt about their fake “Name Our Course” challenge when it was fairly clear they’d already named it. I wanted free greens fees for life.
this was not meant to be a ‘skip playing entirely’, this was a skip seeking out on a roadtrip assuming limited time…sea ranch was cool and i love going up there for long weekends in general, beautiful area. but it’s a detour from the main driving route and not worth the inconvenience to get to IMO
Well to be fair, Northwood was built for the Korbel family who also owns the Grove. They do perform a ceremony every year to “worship” Moloch. So that part isn’t a conspiracy theory, there happens to be a whole world of bs theorys that do revolve around that stuff but that stuff belongs in a different thread. But you know I love that shit so…
I am 100% here for the “different thread” aspects of Northwood but in the interim I’ll post my last pic from the 9th tee by Bohemian Grove’s “no trespassing” sign
Please give a shout if you really do come over to the Sonoma Coast… if available would be happy to connect and come out and buy you guys a round… I’m 30 mins from both courses along with a few other folks. Sea Ranch is another gem, very rustic near Gualala.
Please do check the route though…if you’re committing to coming that far West, then the 101 is the best option for time… Unless you’re going to go really big and just screw it and drive the entire coast which would be life changing… very different from the So Cal Coastline.
Hit up Yocha Dehe on the way back is my recommendation.
We will 100% be driving that route. Plan is to play Northwood in the afternoon on 4/23 and hit Russian River afterwards. Would love if there was a group from the NorCal contingent that joined us for golf and/or beers.
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