nixonthomas

Despite no rain for many weeks, the course was surprisingly soggy in many areas. I hit one drive that almost plugged. Many areas left intentionally overgrown.

I really enjoy this course, but avoid it often simply because the cost to play makes it a poor value when compared to other courses in the area. Poppy Ridge and Callippe are good/very good courses near by costing more than $50 less per round.

Our threesome got out just before a tournament. Had a twosome in front of us walking. They were painfully slow. By 14 it looked like they were laboring. We discovered that didn’t matter. As it turned out, we weren’t going anywhere even if they let us play through. The foursome of walkers in front of them were 3 holes behind! When we called the pro shop, we were told that no Marshalls were on the course Sundays. 5 1/2 hour round.

I booked this last minute, so I guess I should have known something was amiss. I arrived early, paid and went to the range. No hint that a teen tournament was in progress. I discovered that unpleasant fact just before I teed off. Of course all the kids were walking and being followed by their parents. This delayed my tee time 15 minutes. Not a major inconvenience. However, the front nine took almost 3 hours. At the turn, I discovered that the kids must have stopped for lunch. Three foursomes were lined up at 10 and two foursomes (not in the tournament) we’re waiting behind them. I wasn’t willing to wait another half hour to 45 minutes (it was now 3:25) to tee off on 10. The pro shop would not refund or give a rain check. The guy did offer me a free cart on my next round. I still paid for 18 holes and got a slow 9. I certainly not against tournaments, but If I had been told there was going to be a teen tournament, I would not have booked or would have eaten the booking charge and saved $60. Six to six and a half hour rounds are ridiculous. Enough said.

I love playing Wente. For some reason I always play well there. The problem is the price. We have many excellent courses, including Poppy Ridge and Callippe near by which are far more reasonably priced. Wente charges close to double the price without being twice is good. I decided to give into convenience Sunday and pay the extra price, but if I had my druthers, I’d have gone somewhere more reasonably priced.

We tee’d off at 10:00. Finished at 4:00. Marshall tried, but group in front of us kept falling a par five or more behind. So frustrating as they could care less that everyone was backed up behind them. I know it’s the weekend, but 6 hours? I won’t be back.

Not really a fair assessment as the greens were aerated with excessive sand, but the rest of the course was in great condition. Love this course but $120 for a course you can’t putt on was hard to swallow.

The course was in pretty good condition given the amount of play it receives. Greens were a bit uneven but still very good.

The fairways were in remarkably poor condition. Grass appeared dead. Sand traps were hard as concrete and completely un-raked. Greens were challenging. Really disappointing.

Areas were so soggy you couldn’t hope to stand and hit the ball. Other areas we just dirt. Sad. I use to like this course.

The course was in terrible condition. The tee boxes lacked even a semblance of grass and the greens we overgrown and unputtable.

Rough was high, but that wasn’t a problem. Sand traps are hard as rocks. That is a problem. Paying almost a hundred dollars and not being allowed to finish was a big problem. Teed off right around 3:30 and was informed on the first tee that the carts had to be be back by 7. Our foursome moved quickly, but There was no way we could finish the round in 3 1/2 hours, so, although there was sufficient sunlight to finish, we weren’t allowed to. I like the course, but I could have played elsewhere for less and actually finished. Covid protocol was excellent.

As always, Chardonnay offered up a great time on a fun course. Hard to complain about anything except the wind and the carts.
Can I blame the for the wind? Probably not. The carts, however, could use some updating.

I was dismayed to discover that the greens had been aerated two weeks prior but were still unputtable. I was not told of this when I checked in and no discount offered. Numerous times I found myself in the middle of the fairway with my ball resting on dirt! Grass was thin and spotty. I'm being generous with a "fair" overall condition rating. Perhaps it will be better in a month or two, but, other than perhaps the greens, I doubt it. Played the Palm course. Can't speak to the condition of Cypress.

Fairways were in decent condition. From the looks of it, no one who plays the course has a divot tool. Ball marks all over the greens. I suspect it's not the staff's fault as most appeared fresh, but by the end of the day they were all over the greens. Made it difficult to get a smooth putt. Very windy by the bay and airplanes landing fly right over your head.