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A week of rainy and cold weather had left Hiddenbrooke a bit overgrown, and delayed some aerating/sanding activity. . . BUT that did not diminish the golf round at all. The starter and staff had given fair warning, specifying the greens that might not yet be perfect, but the fairways were well mowed, the trimming of overgrown and (now luxurious) foliage and flora, lifting and lightening of all the sand traps had been accomplished. Three bands of fairway, light rough and deep rough mowed and trimmed; greens mowed and rolled -- and the recently sanded ones had been swept that morning. These folks take immaculate care of this course; they are accommodating and friendly -- even giving me a reduced rate when GolfNow's reservation had not been transmitted to the pro-shop computer. Prime experience -- and a great day of golf!

Blue Rock Springs West is one of my favorite courses in the East Bay of San Francisco: I play it every trip west, which is annually. What makes it interesting -- and frustrating -- is that it has a split personality!
The front nine is a traditional layout, with moderate ups and downs, hazards strategically placed and accommodating fairways. The back nine feels like a mountain goat layout, with wide fairways, but steep terrain that challenge the distanced-impaired golfer.
Although I had the best round of my early season there, it was a struggle. . . but, it being golf, I enjoyed it! The fairways and greens are in good shape (recent rain had helped the earlier dry conditions); some of the tee boxes are a bit beat-up, but not naked.
Granted, it is early in the season, so maybe not everyone is in the groove yet, but Staff seems to have changed, as they lean toward efficiency more than friendliness. . . that is the opposite of what my previous experiences have been. Things will mellow as time smoothes the operational glitches, I suppose.
All in all, BRS-West delivers a prime golf course and a perfect day. . . and for me, a great start to a young season!

Metropolitan had been recommended to me by a friend, so I went off by myself to play at this links-style course. The course surprised me: located directly under the flight path of Oakland International Airport, golfers are 'buzzed' by planes large and small landing on the runways beyond. I had expected to be uncomfortable with all the noise, but found that -- unlike ANY course I've ever played -- the noise of the planes, the airport itself, the nearby construction, the highway traffic outside the fence, were all kind of energizing...there was a vibrancy to the environment that was good to feel in a city that has had tough times. The course itself is long and wide, but not without lots of challenges, including rough gorse at the edges, several environmentally protected areas and some twists and turns to the fairways that make planning your shots a necessity. New to the place, it was a challenge. . . but I went home and made another tee-time there right away.

Blue Rock Springs (West) is a favorite course; I play it every year that I visit California. The staff and crew are accommodating and friendly, the lunch is fresh and the folks are friendly. The course is an old-style course, with variants in elevation, hole placements and length of fairways. Greens are moderate in size, and some are downright tricky -- placement from the fairway can be critical. Good condition this year with all the rain, though there were some muddy spots and carts were restricted on several holes.