Designed by Scotsman William Watson in the early 1920’s, the golf course at Orinda Country Club possesses the usual hallmarks of the golden age – undulating fairways constructed without the aid of heavy machinery, green complexes that frequently allow for running approaches, and peripheral encroachment by trees, housing developments and road construction during the ensuing decades. Fortunately, though the efforts of a sensible greens committee, Orinda CC has recently benefitted from a number of positive changes to the golf course under the direction of architect Todd Eckenrode, shapers Brett Hochstein and George Waters, and Superintendent Josh Smith.
Here are a few shots I took to chronicle the current state of affairs at Orinda CC, in rather wretched mid-day light conditions. I will try to point out the salient features of the work that Todd, Josh and the rest of the illustrious restoration/renovation team have completed.
Small photos of the previous iteration of the course can be found here:
http://orindacc.org/web/pages/course-tourThe course tips out at a shade under 6400 yards, but has plenty of teeth for most amateurs.
Not much has changed at the 1st, a 354 yard par 4 that drops precipitously from the hillside-hugging clubhouse
The 1st green, a blind approach unless one drives dangerously close to the fairway's edge, has been expanded/recaptured, with new fescue surrounds providing fast, firm, tight turf to test one's short game. This theme is repeated to fantastic effect throughout the round.
A view from the green's right side, to demonstrate the steepness of the approach. Ring the bell before heading to the second tee.
The 2nd, playing 321 yards uphill, has benefitted from tree removal/thinning. A fairway bunker around 80 yards short of the green has been removed from the left side.
Mounds and non-native trees no longer frame the back of the second green. The bunkering has been reshaped, and the surrounds now allow for running shots to feed on from the green’s left edge.
The par 3s at Orinda are all outstanding now. The 3rd still stretches to 260 yards, but is now much more compelling due to the improved bunkering and the tightly-mown mound just short of the surface that must be correctly negotiated by those approaching with longer clubs/low trajectories. Previously, the green was wide open at front and center, with bunkers protecting both front corners.
At 458 yards in length, the 4th is a very short par “5” by modern standards, but the tee shot is played up a significant slope before the hole turns to the right. A single bunker now guards the inside of the dogleg, where two traps previously sat. Significant tree removal has taken place here as well.
The fairway contours have also been sculpted to lower the saddle and improve visibility for the approach.
Again, the greenside bunkering has been spruced up and the surrounds reshaped and regrassed to facilitate the ground game.
The 5th (354 yards) has not been significantly altered recently. Tree work has opened up the tee shot a bit – in fact, the angle of this picture from the right side of the tee box makes the corridor appear narrower than it truly is.
The short iron approach up the hill is old school in all the right ways.
A view of the boomerang green from behind demonstrates the closely mown banks at the green’s rear (previously, dense rough covered this area). While I did not find myself on the wrong side of the green with my official ball, I did wander over to examine the possible predicaments when prompted by my host. Kiser claimed it was impossible to putt from one section of the green to another over the bank, but I was able to cozy my only attempt at this putt within a few feet of the cup. It’s a fun shot to try, but not one likely to produce many good scores.
The 6th (569 yards) tee shot is a fantastic tester over a road to a fairway angled off to the left.
A well-shaped drive will cut off quite a bit of distance and yield a much better angle of attack on the left-sloping fairway – hooks are hard to avoid, and trees down the right side will provide a stern test for those who find themselves out of position for their second shot.
Positioning further up the fairway is also essential for establishing a clear angle of attack to the green, though a slope on the right is available to kick one on.
The 7th (337 yards) clings tightly to the course’s heavily-treed northeastern property line, with bunkers set to punish those who play too far away from the foliage. The sand traps were reshaped, and the farthest fairway bunker was pushed even farther from the tee to challenge bombers, during the recent makeover. Cart paths are being removed on the right.
This view from the 8th tee provides a good sense of the significant side slope which characterizes the 7th fairway. The 7th green has been expanded and the contours refined to improve the number of pin locations and recovery options
The 8th (120 yards) is much improved, with a shaved bank can now found at the green’s left and rear where bunkers were previously positioned. Mounds and redwood trees that framed the rear portion of the green were thankfully removed. It’s a short hole, but missing the green is a card killer.
Number 9 (432 yards) bends to the right off the tee. A slight cut down the left center of the fairway will yield this pictured approach shot. The cart path is unfortunate, but plenty of turf remains left of the green to help ease a controlled fade onto the putting surface. Much like the 5th, this hole lays softly on the preexisting slopes and required little shaping to present a compelling series of golf shots.
A look back from behind the green at the cambered, dog-legging fairway
