Beautiful Views at Hole 11

Saddle Creek Golf Resort:

Great Golf in California's Gold Rush Country.

Posted by: Rick Parnham

The California Gold Rush brought settlement and wealth to the west coast. One of the areas inundated with prospectors looking for gold is the area now known as Calaveras County, which is located a short drive east of the City of Stockton and encompassing the foothills and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The town of Copperopolis wasn't part of the gold rush in these parts, but was, as the name suggests, a major copper mining center. Long since mined out, the area has now become a tourist hub with an abundant selection of outdoor activities is combined with the many indoor cultural and culinary experiences makes the area a drawing card for year round fun and memories.

Championship golf is one of the many outdoor experiences that can be enjoyed in Copperopolis. Saddle Creek Resort is an expansive golf community that welcomes the public and provides a terrific stay and play option. Home to a design by Carter Morrish, the son and disciple of noted architect Jay Morrish, the 18 hole delight is routed over rolling pasturelands and features some considerable elevation changes. Many of the holes are framed by stunning views of the surrounding mountains and have strategic demands navigating the holes. Nearly half the holes require your attention to avoid the ponds or gulches creating tricky hazards in this arid landscape. Boasting a fine collection of tricky precision holes and a few beastly giants, Saddle Creek is both a stern challenge and a pleasure to play.

Location: Copperopolis, California

Editor's Shot Maker's Picks: Saddle Creek

Feature Holes Descriptions:

The second hole at Saddle Creek ends the inviting welcome. The course's most challenging hole awaits, plays as a cape-style, dogleg right par 4. With water and a series of trench bunkers right and another large bunker through the fairway the tee shot must be shaped right to left to shorten the approach. The green is tucked behind two bunkers short and has a collection area left and water right making the approach a daunting shot. The risk / reward par 5 eighth plays downhill off the tee and is best played with a right to left ball flight to avoid the bunkers to the right of the landing area. If you catch a solid drive the distant green tucked behind a pond at the end of the fairway reachable in two shots to those daring enough. Either hit a layup to the bottom of the hill for a tricky wedge across the pond or take a rip and be a hero.

Hole 10

The opening hole on the back nine is another formidable dogleg right this time playing uphill and over water. A large bunker protects the right side along with a heavily sloped landing area. The sharp climb to the green requires and extra club to navigate the shelves and bunkers left waiting for anything a bit off line. The longest of the course's par 3 holes, the 14th, is a gigantic beast playing 243 yards from the tips. The barrel-shaped green sits tucked behind a long pond and has two large bunkers in front and one behind. The natural bail out is short right but a menacing bunker about 40 yards short makes even the bail out a tough task.

Your round at Saddle Creek can be part of a premier stay and play opportunity in the foothills of the Sierras.  The resort has a collection of villas located between the first and ninth holes featuring stunning views and superb appointments. The villas come complete with comfortable amenities, full kitchen, spacious ensuite and relaxing atmosphere. The Copper Grille is the dining location of choice for your stay. With a backdrop of the ninth green, the all-day clubhouse dining experience features a menu based on both local and international favorites.  Guests are also welcome to utilize the Sports Club with Olympic -sized pool.  Whether looking for a golf package or combining a stay at Saddle Creek Resort with some of the historical and cultural excursions Calavares County has to offer, you can't go wrong.  

Course Stats:

Drive Times: Oakland 2 hrs, Sacremento 1.75 hrs, Lake Tahoe 2.75 hrs

Contact:

Saddle Creek Golf Resort
1001 Saddle Creek Drive
Copperopolis, CA

95228

888-852-5787

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