Played 3/3/20 early (8am) as a threesome. Never saw group in front and one following rarely. POP under 4 hours for threesome make your own pace of pla... » More

Played 3/3/20 early (8am) as a threesome. Never saw group in front and one following rarely. POP under 4 hours for threesome make your own pace of play perfect weather. 50-70's sunny. Good rate with Golf Moose voucher.
Course is in dormant winter condition with a few brown areas but in very playable condition. If it was play it down tournament play one could argue the rub on the green could effect your lie under these conditions. For example a fairway lie could end up in brown dormant grass with a tuft of green in front or behind it. One of the Sacramento course that definitely has a different look and feel winter vs summer play.

Greens in great shape rolling quick and firm. Bunkers well kept. Fairways as mentioned good overall with dormancy. Rough cut low easy extraction. Tee boxes level ok growth coverage.
Course plays tough with many carries over wetlands. Carts have GPS which is helpful for layup or carry distances for these obstacles. If you score a below your handicap differential here you have played a good scoring round.

Owned and operated by Thunder Valley Casino. Customer service great. No beverage cart out this day. Restaurant above average. More like a private course than a municipal bar and grill.
Recommend
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Played early afternoon 3/2/20. Highly acclaimed 9 hole course just off I80 in Auburn on the way to Tahoe from Sacramento. What a difference a day ma... » More

Played early afternoon 3/2/20. Highly acclaimed 9 hole course just off I80 in Auburn on the way to Tahoe from Sacramento. What a difference a day makes. Yesterday rain suit today shorts 73 degrees. $14 to walk with a pull cart and very easy to walk.
Course is said to be one of the toughest 9 holers in NorCal. I would say it's a fair test and a good course that knows what it is and is excellent at it's function.
Greens are good to great shape now and always are when I've played here. Simple clubhouse pro shop snack bar and good fair beverage pricing. Small driving range and practice green to left of first hole.
Fairways good for the time of year. Bunkers well kept. Rough short and escape possible.
A fun track that usually can be played quickly. This day we followed a foursome who where a bit slow but with no where to go but home we stayed behind them and enjoyed the day just as well as going through with a rush.
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Played early 3/1/20 under iffy weather conditions. With only a trace of rain in February for the Sacramento area I expected course conditions to be v... » More

Played early 3/1/20 under iffy weather conditions. With only a trace of rain in February for the Sacramento area I expected course conditions to be very playable.
It was course is in good to better winter conditions in most areas. Tee boxes not full and plush, level and ok. Fairways are in good shape no issues. Not tight lies edge to edge as expected. Greens are in good firm condition rolling well holding high shots well. Back 9 more undulating than the front 9 holes. Bunkers are well maintained and soft sand.
Course has done some maintenance in the edges of the woods and cleared some areas between holes over the winter. The planted flower beds have daffodils coming up.
The elevation of the course and the design through the Carson valley is unique to the area.
Not quite Sierra mountain golf but close facsimile. Cart path only this day was surprising with the dry weather prior month and it made for some extra walking.
Forecast called for chance of light rain which we got and the temperature was low enough for snow flurries as well during the round.
Interesting course that some find quirky (target golf for long hitters) elevation changes forced carries over ravines or wetland areas. I find it challenging and fun enough for at least an annual visit and with the right deal will play it more often. You'll probably lose a few balls but replacements are plentiful knowing where to look.
Recommend.
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Played mid morning 2/24/2020 under ideal weather conditions. 52-65 sunny gentle breeze. I gave the greens a 9 rating but like the day before at anoth... » More

Played mid morning 2/24/2020 under ideal weather conditions. 52-65 sunny gentle breeze. I gave the greens a 9 rating but like the day before at another course (Darkhorse) I don't know why they couldn't be 10's. That good rolling true no defects.
Tee boxes excellent better than most courses fairways.
Bunkers well groomed good sand.
Rough maybe a bit variable. The way it's supposed to be in my opinion.
Customer service from check-in to leaving all outstanding.
The rating here on this day could be a perfect score. I must be too critical.
As an "in-land" course in the Monterey area I think this course plays as good as any of the bigger names. It's front nine has enough challenges and water to keep you interested and the back 9 is more hilly with elevation changes that after the 10th hole will mostly help as they play back downhill into the valley. Not the longest course at 6117 from the tips. As a Senior I look back but don't go back there much anymore.
Loved it would like to play again.
Overall recommend.
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Played early 2/23/20 under sunny skies and cool to nice temps (45-68) The course continues to improve and the dry February has only helped.
Can... » More

Played early 2/23/20 under sunny skies and cool to nice temps (45-68) The course continues to improve and the dry February has only helped.
Can't say why I couldn't give the greens a ten rating. Maybe a bit firm for approach shots holding? But, I don't hit high balls or get a lot of spin. They putted near perfect and few ball marks. Asking after the round I discovered they don't have a roller only mowing surfaces. As good as a public course gets.
Fairways good full green coverage for 95% a few dormant areas. Tee boxes level very playable.
Rough was a bit variable. Again all good.
Bunkers plenty of pretty white sand that still need to settle a bit will only improve with time.
Course is under new ownership management as of late last year. The modular clubhouse is gone replaced with a sodded over grass area.
Doing business out of the cabana / bathroom building, which is a bit strange but gets the job done. Keurig coffee machine a few canned beverages and water available. I think they may still bring in sandwiches from subway or something. No liquor license yet.
As far as golf course it's great. Various specials should be used to maximize the value the usual course amenities still work in progress.
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