September 2018
By Bruce Meadows

What are your favorites…

 
We have gotten an increasing number of responses to our “favorite’s list” but would love to see a few more.
In a recent GOLF 707, I asked for your thoughts on a number of golf-related things, such as “best course,” “best pro,” etc. You can check out the list below and hopefully send me your ballot.
When I wrote a golf column for the Press Democrat, I would publish this list every few years and would always get a lot of feedback. Most of it was positive although occasionally I would get comments complaining about a certain golf course.

In that case, I would try to contact the course in question and get their side of the story. In several instances, the result of your complaint and my follow-up was better service, conditions, etc. at the course in question.
So while I want your opinion on your “favorites,” feel free to list people and places you feel fall short when it comes to serving your golf needs.

Here’s the list:
Best Par 3, Best Par 4, Best Par 5; Best 18-hole Course
Best 9-hole Course
Best Greens
Best 19th Hole
Best Pro Shop
Friendliest, most helpful pro shop staff
Best Golf Instructor
Best Junior Program
Best Women’s Program
Best Senior Program
Best Golf Course Food, Drink
Best Driving Range
Best “Bang for your Buck”
Best Practice Facility (putting green, chipping green, etc.)
Best Golf Shop (well-stocked, sales, etc.)
Best Golf Repair
Best Maintained Course

Early leaders so far include Bodega No. 17 for Best Par 3; Windsor No. 11 for Best Par 4; Northwood No. 9 for Best Par 5; Mayacama for Best 18 Holes; Northwood for Best 9 Holes; BV’s Legends for Best 19th Hole; Rooster Run’s Dave Johnson for Best Instructor; Oakmont for Best Women’s Program; Oakmont for Best Senior Program; BV for Best Food and Drink; Windsor for Best Driving Range; Foxtail for Best Bang for Your Buck; Jim Strong’s Golf for Best Golf Repair, and Mayacama and Sonoma for Best Maintained Course.

All items on the list received multiple votes; the ones I listed were slightly ahead in the balloting so far. A few categories on the list were too close to call right now.
We are hoping that golf courses and golf shops can print up some copies of “the list” and make them available to golfers. Thanks for that.

Please take time to respond to as many of the items on the list as you wish, and send them to bmeadows4sports@aol.com

Santa Rosa High Foundation event…

The 23rd annual Santa Rosa High School Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Friday, Sept. 14, at the Oakmont West Course.
Check-in is 11:15 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:45 p.m.

Registration fee is $150 per golfer with a special rate of $120 for Super Seniors (age 75 and older). Fees include 18 holes of golf, range balls, golf cart, lunch and soft drinks, an awards dinner and auction at the Quail Inn. Format is a four-person scramble with two men’s flights and one co-ed.

Awards will be presented for the top foursome in men’s and co-ed flights; longest drive (men, women and seniors 65 and over), closest to the pin (men and women) and a free putting contest between 11:30-12:30.
All proceeds benefit the Santa Rosa High sports and academic programs. Deadline to enter is Aug. 31.
For more information and entry form, contact Pandy Line at 707-571-7747, email golf@srshf.org or visit the SRHS web site at www.srhsf.org

Santa Rosa G&CC tournament…

Greenacre Homes & School’s sixth annual invitational golf tournament is scheduled Sept. 17 at Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club.
All proceeds go toward “once-in-a-lifetime trips, such as snow skiing, white-water rafting, camping and out-of-town excursions for boys and young men living at Greenacre Homes,” according to event information.

Founded in 1975, Greenacre Homes and School “is one of the most comprehensive and innovative agencies of its kind in Sonoma County serving boys and young men with special needs related to autism, spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental delays, abuse and emotional challenges.”

For more information, visit http://greenacrehomes.org or call 823-8722 or 829-1366.

‘Celebration of Heroes’…

Greg Anderson, new GM and head pro at Oakmont GC, and tournament sales and marketing director Heather Peterson have teamed up with KSRO’s Pat Kerrigan to announce two upcoming events.
A fund-raiser golf tournament is scheduled Oct. 1 at Oakmont, with the goal to not only raise funds for the Community Foundation Resilience Fund, but to also honor local “Heroes of October.”

On each hole, there will be a local hero or a celebrity guest so tournament participants will get a chance to meet those individuals.
There will also be a “Celebration of Heroes” Sept. 30 at Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square with food, music and recognition of those who helped battle the October firestorms.
Anderson expects the golf event to sell out quickly so contact Oakmont or go to www.heroesofoctober.com for more details.

Also at Oakmont:

Jessica Reese Quayle and Rebecka Heinmert are offering their Fall Development Program as part of the Oakmont Junior Academy, with topics varying from skill building, rules and etiquette and on-course games.
The schedule is Sept. 5 and 19; Oct. 17 (West Course), and Sept. 12 and 26, Oct. 10 and 24 (East Course).
“Every other week we will meet at the East Course and play at least four holes back to the West Course,” according to Jessica, adding that “pick-up will be at the West Course.”

A 30-minute private lesson for each junior is also part of the package, which costs $279 ($40 sibling discount) and a range card worth $70.
Go to http://oakmontjuniorgolfacademy.com or call Jessica (707-321-9791) or Rebecka (408-616-0226.Oakmont is also offering an “all-day golf package” that includes golfing the West Course, enjoy lunch at Quail then head for the East Course.

Oakmont is also offering an “All-Day Golf Package.” Play the West Course, enjoy lunch at The Quail then head for the East Course.
Cost $79 includes green fees, cart and lunch (one non-alcoholic fountain beverage and gratuity). Offer valid Monday through Friday, not valid on holidays. Call 539-0415 for details or to book a tee time.
If you join the Oakmont Golf Club before Aug. 31, you will receive a complimentary one-year range plan that would normally cost $395 after becoming a member or $595 for the general public.

2019 Mexican golf outing offered…

David Knox and Susan Briske, PGA and LPGA pros respectively, are offering a trip to Neuva Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 5-12, 2019.
The trip includes golf, luxury accommodations and airfare for $2,189. The group will leave Sacramento International on a non-stop flight on Alaska Airlines, including two free checked bags.

There will be gourmet dining with no reservations required, all drinks included. There will also be beach and poolside food and drink service with free wi-fi 24-hour room service.
You will play three rounds of golf, including Vista Vallarta’s Weiskopf and Nicklaus courses plus El Tigre. The group will stay at the Marival Residences Luxury Resort for seven nights.

David, a pro at Napa GC, said spots are filling up fast so if you are interested, contact him at 916-533-4108, or Susan at 530-263-1202 soon. Email davidknox@pga.com

Let’s hear from you . . .

If you have golf-related items such as upcoming tournaments, clinics, sales, etc. you think golfers would like to know about, please send me the information at bmeadows4sports@aol.com
In addition to those items, if you have a humorous story about your golf exploits or those of other players, I’d like to see it and possibly pass it along to our readers.

And we are always on the lookout for GOLF 707 sponsors, so if you think you might be considering that – we have long appreciated the support of Bill Carson of the Wine Country Golf Group – drop me a line and I can send you the details about the various levels of sponsorship.