With the grey rainy skies and winter blues behind us back on Vancouver Island, we started our 10 days of golf at the popular and impeccably maintained Timber Creek Golf Course in Roseville, CA just a few miles east of Sacramento up I-80. The clubhouse grounds resplendent with beautiful varieties of colorful flowers, bushes and shrubbery was a very welcoming site as we arrived.
Looking beyond the practice putting green to the driving range.
As we were playing on a Tuesday, we were part of the 1:00 pm shotgun start. Under pure blue skies, virtually no wind and for us the perfect temperature for golf, 18C or around 65F, we checked in at the Pro Shop and were greeted by Danny Kraker now in his third year at this Roseville gem, part of a Del Webb community of homes.
Myra and I both nail our drives down the middle on the opening hole Par 4.
Danny, in a very straight forward and friendly manner, pointed out where the range, practice green, restaurant and first tee was. Also to our delight, he informed us that we could take the power cart to our vehicle and that we would be called via the PA system when to head to the first tee. Adjacent to the Pro Shop counter, Head Professional Derek Zachman was in his office working away when we introduced ourselves and he greeted us with a similar level of kindness, warmth and professionalism as his colleague Danny.
The first testy water hole, ponds left and right of the Par 4 3rd green.
Having played and reviewed numerous golf courses which lay within subdivisions like this Del Webb layout, we know that in order to please and cater to its residents and golfing members the Pro Shop team has to be on their A game as this team was.
We had the good fortune to chat with Derek Zachman again outside for a few minutes and it was apparent to both Myra and me that all the smiling faces of the golfers getting ready for the 1:00 shot gun were evidence of a very well run and well-appointed facility. Although we were there to golf and review the golfing aspect, we strolled through the very busy and stylish restaurant down a hallway in the clubhouse that contained numerous activity rooms for the Del Webbers. Snooker, crafts, computer, fine arts, fitness you name your hobby they had a state of the art spacious, dedicated room or studio to where you could enjoy that hobby. The cleanliness and attention to detail from the Pro Shop interior, washrooms and all common areas was impeccable. The restaurant was very busy and the smell permeated out to the practice area which I am sure had more than just myself wishing that eating a second lunch was permissible.
A whopping Par 4 9th with water, water everywhere.
After a focused warm up on the range, chipping green and putting green, we headed to the first tee to begin our round. The practice facility is excellent and in close proximity to the Clubhouse and Pro Shop. The course was in magnificent shape, a credit to the greens keeping staff and also the designer. The18 hole layout was a tale of two nines, the front nine placing an emphasis on avoiding the numerous ponds that protected many of the greens while the back nine is carved through numerous stands of oak trees. Typically, of the quality of course that Timber Creek is and the variety of golfers that it caters to, the course would be a fairly easy walk void of any challenging uphill climbs.
Even without the leaves yet, the oak lined fairway on hole 13 is gorgeous.
Of particular note would be the bunker configurations, the quality of the greens and the level, closely nipped tee boxes. Although many of the holes were situated in between rows of houses, rarely if ever would you feel that they were crowding you.
One of the best holes on the course,the approach from 200 yards on the 17th.
The pace of play was record setting for Myra and me, more used to 4 hour rounds, we finished in 3 hours and 15 minutes struggling somewhat for the first 16 holes to keep ahead of what looked like one of General George Patton’s tank divisions coming down the fairway, 4 men each in their own power cart. As you can see by the pictures there are numerous great holes and Timber Creek is a very rewarding course which is very enjoyable to play. It caters to about 400 dedicated members and to a very appreciative public. Based on the impression it made upon us, we highly recommend coming for a round of golf and don’t eat lunch before you arrive.
Myra strolls up to the 18th green, capping off a great day.
www.timbercreekgc.com Call 1 916-774-3850
