News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


mark chalfant

  • Karma: +0/-0
Castlewood (Billy Bell) Oakland Area
« on: February 13, 2008, 05:17:57 PM »
From website photos this  vintage course east of Oakland, CA. has lively terrain  and  a great vatiety of interesting  par threes and  par fours plus quite a few uphill approaches. Also some  drop shot  par 3s with  a robust penalty for going over.  Has anyone played Candlewood  ??
« Last Edit: February 13, 2008, 05:37:49 PM by mark chalfant »

Kyle Henderson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Castlewood (Billy Bell) Oakland Area New
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2008, 06:35:45 PM »
The Castlewood Hill course (1926) was my first taste of a private golf course a couple of years ago. The par 3s are quite good and feature a lot of variety. #4 is and uphill through a shoot of trees. #6 is short a short iron slightly down hill with a large drop off to the left. # 12 is a shot to mid-rion slightly uphill. # 17 is straight down hill and approach shots must land short of the green to hold the surface unless the ground is sopping wet.

Of the par 4s and 5s, the course is definitely short and tight as a rule, but there are options on each hole. Few holes require driver, but advantages can be gained with long hits off of the tee, especially if you're looking for flat ground on your second shot.

The entire course has that classic, old-timey feel which is hard to articulate. There are many houses on the course, but they aren't too intrusive. The course is on the side of a hill and features some tricky lies and quick greens. The thick forest of old,  specimen oaks and panoramic views from the upper holes are sure to please. It's a little more than 6,200 yards total from the tips.

The club also has a newer "Valley Course" that was built in the 60's by William Bell Jr. It's a pretty standard test. Longer and flatter. The best holes are on the periphery where the ground has more movement.

Neither course is mind-blowingly high in quality, but the Hill course certainly bears a look for someone visiting the East S.F. Bay.

I'd give it a 4 on the Doak scale on a lenient day.

http://www.castlewoodcc.org/default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=248503&ssid=105330&vnf=1
« Last Edit: March 13, 2012, 02:21:33 AM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo