East Bay recommendations

[tw422]

Heading to Stockton next week for some business and looking for a course to play on the way through. I live in Marin but don't venture over to the East Bay often. Not worried about pricey green fee's and prefer a good layout with excellent conditions. Any suggestions? I have a meeting in Alamo late afternoon then headed to Stockton early evening so anywhere within 30-40 min drive of Alamo is fine. Is TPC Stonebrae private?

[kdphan]

Stonebrae is private.

 

I was looking to join the club but their communication has been less than non-existent.

 

If you're heading toward Stockton, then there are a few courses on the way in Livermore. Poppy Ridge is always in great condition. Wente is close by Poppy Ridge as well.

 

Your location says Philly, and you're living in Marin?

[tw422]

Stonebrae is private.

 

I was looking to join the club but their communication has been less than non-existent.

 

If you're heading toward Stockton, then there are a few courses on the way in Livermore. Poppy Ridge is always in great condition. Wente is close by Poppy Ridge as well.

 

Your location says Philly, and you're living in Marin?

 

Thanks for suggestions - Poppy Ridge looks good. How is Wente compared to Poppy?

 

Yea, forgot to change my location. I live in Mill Valley.

[kdphan]

Stonebrae is private.

 

I was looking to join the club but their communication has been less than non-existent.

 

If you're heading toward Stockton, then there are a few courses on the way in Livermore. Poppy Ridge is always in great condition. Wente is close by Poppy Ridge as well.

 

Your location says Philly, and you're living in Marin?

 

Thanks for suggestions - Poppy Ridge looks good. How is Wente compared to Poppy?

 

Yea, forgot to change my location. I live in Mill Valley.

 

I think they're equally impressive, although i've always liked Poppy more. If you're an NCGA member, the greens fees are cheap.

[tw422]

Stonebrae is private.

 

I was looking to join the club but their communication has been less than non-existent.

 

If you're heading toward Stockton, then there are a few courses on the way in Livermore. Poppy Ridge is always in great condition. Wente is close by Poppy Ridge as well.

 

Your location says Philly, and you're living in Marin?

 

Thanks for suggestions - Poppy Ridge looks good. How is Wente compared to Poppy?

 

Yea, forgot to change my location. I live in Mill Valley.

 

I think they're equally impressive, although i've always liked Poppy more. If you're an NCGA member, the greens fees are cheap.

 

Great, thanks and yes I'm an NGCA member. That's great to know.

[duffer987]

Second Poppy. Very solid course, you earn a score there with good ball striking, especially when the wind is up.

 

Assuming 580, it's definitely the best option IMHO. I think Wente is only worth the price when getting a Golfnow deal. Good course with a lovely resorty setting, but I'd rather pay $80 at Poppy than the same at Wente.

If you take 4, Roddy Ranch is one of my favorite layouts in the Bay Area, but without Poppy's budget it is very susceptible to drought conditions.

[tw422]

Booked at Poppy (NGCA member rate was too good to pass up). Will check Greenskeeper.org on conditions and thanks for the suggestions.

[Longhorn8319]

Poppy Ridge is a great track. Also consider Callipe in Pleasanton. I've always had fun at that course.

[Metro-PA]

Poppy is a good choice.... You should enjoy it. Another option, for another time, would be Bridges in San Ramon. Just a couple miles out of Alamo.

[Spicoli]

Ya Bridges. It's brutal.

 

Honorable mentions... certainly not optimal conditions but...Boundary Oaks in Walnut Creek....Tilden in Berkeley. Franklin Canyon in Martinez.

 

If you want to play a par 6, try Chabot in Oakland. Great views of the bay on few holes.

[tw422]

Played Poppy. Wasn't blown away but price was right. Conditions were ok - fairways were 6.5/10 and greens were 8.5/10. Would go back but not my first choice.