Under yet again clear blue skies, we headed off to play the City of Roseville’s other public course, Woodcreek Golf Club. Built in the mid 90’s and designed by noted golf architect Robert Muir Graves the difference in design styles between Woodcreek Golf Club and its sister course Diamond Oaks was obvious from the first glance we had from the terrace outside the Pro Shop.
The very spacious and well stocked pro shop.
Displaying a wider, open layout the very brisk wind would present an added challenge to our day. The entire facility had a very tasteful look and feel, money well spent on providing public golf at a very high standard. The clubhouse is very versatile containing an ample sized Pro Shop, banquet room and the awesome Legends and Heroes Sports Bar.
Our day started on a positive note before we had even met any of the staff. Starter and Pro Shop staff member Jackson introduced the next group on the tee not only with clarity and precision, but included a warm welcome followed by each person’s name.
One of the most comprehensive and well designed driving ranges anywhere.
It was a great lead into walking in and letting him know he had a future as a broadcaster. As we shared a laugh about that and formalized who we were and why we were on site Head Professional Curtis Wood sauntered out of his office and welcomed us. What a great tandem to be greeted by. I mentioned how impressive the Pro Shop was. I think it is a definite option for making any golf related purchases, it had a great selection of bags, shoes, shirts and clubs plus a great hat wall.
Looking forward from the fairway to the first green.
Armed with a cart key which again like Diamond Oaks allowed for going to your vehicle and loading up your own gear, we headed to the range to warm up. This is probably the best practice range I have seen at any public course. On a nice day I could easily spend a couple of hours there.
Hole 6 a nice wide open landing area on this good Par 4.
Not only were the mats in great condition, there was everything from targets, range target nets, marker posts and distance flags. On top of that the PA system allowed you to hear who was up on the tee next and light pop music played in between announcements. There were also comfy looking arm chairs and couple of sofas should you have a need to just chill or you had some onlookers accompanying you.
From the left side of the fairway looking over the water to the Par 5 9th green.
We used the chipping green adjacent to the first tee and headed out a few minutes early which was appreciated. The wind was whipping around and it joined our twosome for the entire round.
The golf course had a very interesting mix of holes, some a bit quirky but never the less fun to play. The 5th a bizarre Par 5 not only had 20 – 30 wild turkeys roaming around the greens, but it had a massive oak tree situated about 70 yards directly in front of the green, various little marshy hazard areas and few power lines on route to the hole. As difficult a target hole as it is, I opted to rip a 5 wood from 230 yards out over the oak tree not knowing what was in store. When I came to my ball greenside I pitched it onto the green almost making eagle and then missing the 8 footer coming back, all in all a really good par.
Myra proudly posing after a another solid drive on the Par 4 15th.
We made our way around, really enjoying the various holes with the wind blowing so hard that on the 14th I used driver into it on a par 3.. The highlight of our day though was saved for the pretty par 3 17th where with a left to right cross wind Myra hit it to 5 feet, me to 20 feet and we both made par, hers just lipping out or it would have been the birdie of the trip so far.
Into the wind this Par 5 is a delicious monster, hole 16.
I was so excited I took a photo of our shots resting on the beautiful green and in my exuberance left the camera on the ground. When we finished putting out on the awesome Par 4 18th I went to get take a picture of the hole from the green back to the tee and couldn’t find the camera. We didn’t let it affect our putts and on a hole that the course guide said was a good bogey I just missed a birdie from 15 feet downhill and Myra rolled in a 10 footer. Myra finished with a solid 53 on the back nine after struggling on the front a little with a 59 so a total of 112 for her and 42 + 41 = 83 for me was a rewarding day for both of us. Myra and I often assess a course by the “return factor”. Would we play it again or if we lived where the course was located would we play it on a regular basis.
17 green, Myra’s is the tee shot 5 feet from the hole, beautiful greens throughout.
For Woodcreek we both agreed it was a double Yes.
We retrieved our camera from the 4 gents coming up 18 fairway behind us and made a point of offering to buy them a beer for that saving rescue of my Canon E 410.
We settled in at a table in the Legends Sports Grill ordering a cold O’douls from the friendly hostess, Mercy, and then said thanks again to the 4 fellows; Ray, Gary, Jim and Bill.
Ray opted to join us for a beer and the other three set off, but not before we talked a little about local golf and also the scores of courses we have reviewed across North America. They were envious of the many states and provinces we play in and I joked “Someone’s got to do it”.
The happy 4 some of golfing friends that followed us.
Again like thanking Kevin in the pro shop at the end of the round, this day was as much about the great and kind people you meet as it was the great holes and shots we enjoyed.
Plan a day out at Woodcreek as we did and maybe we will see you there upon on our return next year, it’s fantastic!
