Grizzly Ranch, Portola, CA

[Lou_Duran]

I'm planning a visit to Reno/Tahoe this summer and would like opinions on Grizzly Ranch.  I've played quite a few Bob Cupp courses and think highly of his work (Beacon Hall, Hawks Ridge, Old Waverly, Sunriver Crosswater, Pumpkin Ridge, Reynolds Plantation, etc.).  Grizzly Ranch is a bit out of the way in a busy schedule, so I would appreciate some guidance.  Thanks in advance.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Lou, that is way out of the way!  Played there years ago when I used to go near Quincy in the summer.  I don't remember anything remarkable about the course, either way.  For you, it would just be judging it in terms of travel time, etc, from wherever you are based in the Tahoe/Reno area.


Try to get to Clear Creek - that would be an easy recommendation.

[David_Tepper]

Lou -

I have played there 3-4 times over the past several years. I don't know where you are traveling to or from. As Kevin mentions, it is quite a drive from route 80.


It is a nice course with some good and not so good holes. I have played very little golf around Lake Tahoe, so I can't really compare it to the courses in the general area. It is a very tough course to walk, with some long green to next tee distances.


Whitehawk Ranch is another pretty good course not too far from Grizzly Ranch.

DT

[Tim Leahy]

Portola, the nearest town to Griz Ranch is about 50 miles from Truckee near the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, 110 miles from South Shore LT, but you have to drive around the lake and it can be slow traffic. If your staying South Shore I would second Clear Creek if you have access and definitely play Edgewood on the lake.
There are many tree lined courses closer and just as nice as GR, such as Incline Village near North Shore that also has a fun executive course. I am pretty sure you have access Lou and I would play Lahontan and Martis Camp in Truckee, two fine privates before driving an hour more for GR.
That said the Graeagle area is a nice quiet area for a long golf/fishing weekend with five nice 18 hole courses, Griz Ranch, Nakoma Dragon, Whitehawk, Plumas Pines and Graeagle Meadows within 20 miles and plenty of rental cabins.

[Lou_Duran]

Thanks guys.


According to Maps, GR is about :50 from the Reno-Tahoe airport where I am coming in, but in the wrong direction to Lake Tahoe.


I hope to play three or four times book-ending four nights and three full days at Yosemite.  Like many places since Covid, courses appear to be very busy and my access is not nearly as good as it once was.  Both Martis Camp and Lahontan are limiting play to members in 2021 (and, I'm assuming, accompanied guests) while one or both complete some renovation projects (don't know if they had a bad winter).  I am working on Clear Creek, but I am running out of time to make hotel reservations in that busy market.


I've not been to Lake Tahoe- it was my wife's suggestion- but I suspect that we can find stuff to do if golf does not work out.  Now I have to find hotels without having to take a second mortgage on my house.  Lodging within Yosemite is full, so we will be doing a lot of driving, unfortunately.


From what I gather, GR may not be worth the extra effort.  Looks like an hour up and another hour down to north Lake Tahoe.  A lot of driving for our day of arrival.


Question: is there much to see in Yosemite from the west gate near Groveland? 


Thanks again.

[Kalen Braley]

Lou,

Even if the golf is limited, Tahoe is excellent, especially in the summer time.  With activities on the lake, scenic hikes/drives, and night time shenanigans in the Casinos, there is no shortage of stuff to do.

My cousin was just out there last week, and safe to say I was very jealous, especially with this non-stop heat we've been having out West, the lake looked amazing.

P.S.  Your bigger problem at Yosemite will be the crowds and especially so this summer as everyone is itching to get back out there. If you want to see Yosemite like you see in pictures, gotta go in the off-season and hope for good weather.

[Lou_Duran]

Thanks Kalen.


We're planning on spending a day and a half in the valley starting at the west gate, and the rest of the time selectively at west, south, and east parts of the park.  We were able to get three-day passes to the park, and if it gets real busy, we'll just take it easy and consider it a primer for a future trip. 

[Tim Leahy]

Thanks Kalen.


We're planning on spending a day and a half in the valley starting at the west gate, and the rest of the time selectively at west, south, and east parts of the park.  We were able to get three-day passes to the park, and if it gets real busy, we'll just take it easy and consider it a primer for a future trip.

There is a cool course very near Groveland called Pine Mountain Lake, W F Bell design, that is open to the public. Tree lined and challenging with changes in elevation. I played there many years ago and they had chimes that would go off on the hour that played Stephen Foster tunes because he stayed there.
Near Sonora is a RM Graves course Teleli that is hilly and is run by the Black Oak Indian Casino and not too far off your path.
Not far from the Reno airport and just off the 580 south is a good 36 hole complex called The Club at Arrow Creek. It is listed as private but I think they have public access. Also Montreux is near there the Nicklaus course with a PGA stop, private but if you show some interest in a vacation home they may even comp you.

[Pete_Pittock]

Lou,
An alternative might be Copper Valley (formerly Saddle Brook) in Copperopolis, CA. Might cut out much driving. Been a long time, it was sort of en-route to the Kings Putter at Stevinson Ranch. Kyle Henderson set up the Tahoe area Kings Putter.  Make sure Glacier Point is on your Yosemite itinerary. Watch out for earthquakes.