I was lucky enough to see Meadow Club a few weeks ago with club historian Mike Purvis. Mike was a fantastic host and wealth of knowledge about all things Mackenzie, especially Mackenzie's first course in America. Jim O'Neal's staff is first class and I was lucky enough to chat with GCA's own Sean Tully, newly named head super of Meadow Club.
Not many places in the world are as pretty as Northern California, especially once you get over the Golden Gate bridge. And not many place once you get over the bridge are as special as the remote parts of Marin County.
Meadow Club is nestled in a valley near the small town of Fairfax, CA. This was Mackenzie first course in the U.S. It was a collaboration between Hunter and Mackenzie which lead to a very fruitful partnership in the Western U.S. Recently Mike DeVries has come in a done a fantastic job taking the course back to what it looked like many years ago (minus a few (a lot) of tree growth). Bunkers and green complexes are simply fantastic. The 7th hole could be the best hole in the Bay Area. Certainly the best setting in the Bay Area.
The course sits down in a valley which is pretty flat given the rest of the surrounding terrain and must have been impossible to get to back in Mackenzie's day!
Simply a magical place!
Hole #2
Hole #3
This is one crazy green that I was too busy putting on to snap a good picture :-(
Hole #4
I love the ridge that you have to hit over. Reminds me of Crystal Downs or Bandon Trails #4
Hole #5
Long one shot hole.
Hole #6
A very small creek/ditch runs up the right side of this landing, which is very hard to see from the tee.
Hole #7
Definitely one of the coolest holes in Northern California. The second shot really can’t be any more beautiful. A magical setting.
Hole #7 approach
Hole #8
Hole #9
Space, space, width!
Hole #11
170 yard par 3
Hole #13
Shares a fairway and central hazards with #15. A new bunker was being added the day we played. Again, lots of width but trouble if don’t hit your spot.
Hole #16
Another fantastic hole. A diagonal tee shot over a ditch to one of the best green complexes on the course.
Hole #16 approach
Hole #17
A natural saddle valley off the tee to a double plateau green. I am sure this green closes out some matches!
Hole #18
Like hole #7, this hole has a pesky little ditch that can grab any misplaced tee shot.