Where in the World Is Cori Brett?
September/October 2013
Eagle Valley Golf Course
When I was invited to play nine golf courses in one day, I thought it was a joke. But we set out at dawn on a cool fall morning and raced from course to course to finish by dusk. What made it all work? We only played two holes at each course. Amazingly, I got enough of a look to form a distinct impression of each one.
The “Divine 9” are scattered around Nevada’s capital, Carson City. It’s in western Nevada, just east of Lake Tahoe and the California border. With the discovery of the rich Comstock Lode in 1859, adventurers flocked to Carson City to make their fortunes in the silver mines. Today Carson City is a recreational bonanza, especially for golfers – a rare combination of quality golf at affordable rates. Here’s a quick rundown.
Eagle Valley Golf Course welcomes players with two courses and an upbeat vibe. The fairly flat, parallel fairways of the East Course make it great to walk. The newer West Course is tucked away at higher elevations and presents a bigger challenge, with a 125 slope rating from the forward tees. Wide twisting fairways run along brush-covered hillsides. I found my lost ball hiding in a field of fragrant fresh sage. Reasonable green fees accommodate junior tournaments and school team competitions, and encourage seniors and super-seniors.
Silver Oak Golf Course winds through the Silver Oak master planned community, with scenic views of the valley. Wish I had time for a lesson with Head Professional Robert Mason – he was voted “Carson City Golf Professional of the Year” in 2013. Watching golfers finish up, I checked out the colorful 1950-60’s memorabilia inside, from “Route 66” to replica gas pumps and neon beer signs.
An Arnold Palmer Signature course, Dayton Valley Golf Club has played host to PGA Tour Qualifying since 1995. With lakes on 10 of the 18 holes, and thick rough waiting to bury the ball, it’s as challenging as you might expect. The course is impeccably maintained and in great shape, with velvety fairways and well manicured bunkers.
Named for the little mining town of Empire City, Empire Ranch Golf Course has 27 holes that play through environmentally protected wetlands and lakes. The Comstock, River and Sierra nines provide varying combinations of play. Near Hole #2 on the Comstock nine, the historic Red House stands as a landmark to the now-vanished town.
Course topography at Sunridge Golf Club makes it a challenging round, even with the two forward tees playing at reasonable distances of 4,814 and 5,357 yards. Sloping fairways, forced carries, and steep hills are some of the reasons, although views of the Carson Valley are spectacular from the highest tee boxes.
Genoa Lakes Golf Club
Genoa Lakes Golf Club earns its high rating by having top designers, a gorgeous setting, charm and class throughout both courses and clubhouses. The Lakes Course, a Peter Jacobsen and John Harbottle III design, is the annual host-site of U.S. Open Qualifying in northern Nevada. It’s laid out in the broad Carson River basin, along wetlands that put a premium on accuracy. The Sierra Nevada Mountains form a scenic backdrop. Deer wandered across fairways during our early morning round. The majestic Lakes clubhouse is my favorite and has the best-stocked golf shop.
The Resort Course, Genoa Lakes’ second course, lies about two miles away and climbs into the foothills with more than 300 feet of elevation changes, rugged terrain and great views. It’s co-designed by Johnny Miller and John Harbottle III. The Alpine Room made me want to burst into song -“Sound of Music,” specifically – with its thick carved furniture, cozy fireplace, and delicately painted wooden trim.
Carson Valley Golf Course is a pretty course, lush with vegetation and tall cottonwoods, planted by settlers over a century ago, that shade fairways along the banks of the Carson River. This family-owned course has been popular with locals in the know since 1965. It’s a fun round, playing from 4,677 yards to 6,020 yards. Players are encouraged to “Tee It Forward.” Golf is a family affair for all ages, and junior tees have been set at 3,511 and 1,967 yards.
Carson Valley Golf Course
A visit to 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort will soothe sore muscles. It’s located in rural Genoa. On the way I was slightly detained by a line of cows crossing the road into another pasture. The cowboys politely tipped their hats. Genoa (pronounced Gen-OH-a) was the first settlement in Nevada and a Pony Express stop. The Genoa Bar and Saloon still looks authentic to the 1850’s era.
David Walley’s has five mineral springs, a pool, sauna and steam, and a newly remodeled full-service spa. Guests stay in comfy one- and two-bedroom units with kitchens and fireplaces. The restaurant offers unusual game dishes like Wild Boar Rack and Antelope Chops, plus an extensive, international wine list.
Downtown Carson City is a completely different experience than the peaceful Carson Valley. We stayed at Carson Station Hotel Casino, a Best Western right on the “main drag,” with some of the nicest hotel staff I have ever met. It’s close to the historic capital district, restaurants and nightlife. One of the most fun restaurants is Red’s Old 395 Grill, with great BBQ, crazy stuff hanging from the ceiling, and a lively atmosphere.
In a nutshell, Carson City and Divine 9 combine to offer a casual destination with a variety of golf and lots of fun attractions, at affordable rates. And it could become even more affordable if Lady Luck happens to favor you at the gaming tables.
www.divinenine.com, www.visitcarsoncity.com, www.visitcarsonvalley.org
