Stevinson Ranch

[A_Clay_Man]

http://www.stevinsonranch.com/

It's been a long time since I was there but the more I learn about GCA from this site, the more my memory appreciates this design.

If you haven't golfed there yet, I recommend the drive. If you have, could you tell me how far off my memory is?

[THuckaby2]

I don't think your memory is off at all, Adam - but just what are you asking about?  How far it is out there, or how good the course is?

It's WAY out to the east from San Jose and San Francisco - just about 2 hours drive from either.

BUT it is worth the trek for sure - it is one hell of a great course, with a lot of what is valued in this group quite well-represented... ie there's a redan, an alps, etc.

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Even GyroGib places Stevinson Ranch in his Top 20 or so, from a recent thread.  High praise from our best architectural curmudgeon.

[A_Clay_Man]

TomH- I was refering to the course not the drive. I am slightly shocked by your viewing it as that far. Maybe its the demands placed on your time but from a guy who could care less what time it is, driving to SR was well worth the trip.

We took the lads there and played the wrong tees, so it was a bit of a struggle. But thats part of the designs greatness is its ability to challenge a wide range of levels of golfer and giving them the options to play shots within their ability..

[THuckaby2]

Adam:

Shocked about what?

I really thought it WAS that far from SJ or SF.  The last hour or so is on very small roads....  Hell, maybe one can get there quicker - I just remember it taking me that long to get out there.

And I also said it IS worth the trek.... and it is a great course... see above?

Hey, driving two hours to play golf is nothing for me, hell it's often standard operating procedure.  But I'm a certifiably insane golf addict.  Normal people would want to know it's two hours from these big citites.  

TH

[ed_getka]

Adam,
  Your memory serves you well. For my money Stevinson Ranch is the best value within 2 hours of me, for the quality of architecture you get. At the expensive end of the spectrum, for me Pasatiempo is the benchmark.
  Any plans to be over this way for some golf?

[Mike Benham]

Adam,
  Your memory serves you well. For my money Stevinson Ranch is the best value within 2 hours of me, for the quality of architecture you get. At the expensive end of the spectrum, for me Pasatiempo is the benchmark.
  Any plans to be over this way for some golf?

Ed - but for you, Stevinson Ranch is only an hour fifteen away ...

[Dan Kelly]

From the course's Web site: "Designed by John Harbottle III and George H. Kelley, the Savannah Course is a throwback to the early days of golf architecture in America, importing the character and traditions of the great Scottish Links courses."

True, or false?

[THuckaby2]

Dan K.:

I'd say it's true.  For once marketing isn't all just marketing.  

TH

[A_Clay_Man]

Obviously true.

 It has many wonderful qualities including wind. For a dead flat site this course has plenty of width and lots of short game interest. Fairgreens and chipping areas which allow for more bounce and roll. The greens are very well contoured and inspire imaginative shotmaking. Another physical strength is the playability after severe rain. The savanah grassed flats are under water, but it takes a deservingly wayward shot to find the fragile drowning grass.

Ed- I only have desire to make it up the coast. I would consider going all the way to see Slagbert, too and who knows, maybe Vancouver. But alas commitment is a foe for life.

[Michael Dugger]

I thought Stevinson Ranch was by Robinson?  Is there another "Savannah" course.  Which one are you guys talking about, or am I missing the mark?

[THuckaby2]

You must be thinking of something else, Mdugger.  SR was definitely done by Harbottle/Kelley.

TH

[ed_getka]

mdugger,
   I believe there is a Robinson Ranch in SoCal. Stevinson is Harbottle for sure.
Dan,
  Not really links like Scotland, but is firm and fast generally. Ground game is definitely in play at Stevinson. Some really fun holes at Stevinson on a dead flat site. The holes were obviously built there, but for me it doesn't detract from the fun at all.

[Kevin_Reilly]

From the course's Web site: "Designed by John Harbottle III and George H. Kelley, the Savannah Course is a throwback to the early days of golf architecture in America, importing the character and traditions of the great Scottish Links courses."

True, or false?

True, as opposed to this "Dornoch-inspired" course: