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Sunridge
Golf Club
Review
By Doug Saunders, golf writer
Every golfer who becomes enthralled with this crazy game holds visions of what they would like to do to certain golf holes. We all have desires to change a bunker, relocate a tree, or set a tee in a different spot at the places that we play. But for Bill Wellman of Las Vegas that chance came in a bigger way than most could imagine. Wellman, a civil engineer and heavy equipment contractor fell into the opportunity to design and build his own golf course. His creation, Sunridge Golf Club, is carved out of the hillsides and sagebrush along the Carson River and is a treat to play.
This 18-hole golf course fans along a hillside that borders a large housing development, Sunridge, where Wellman was hired to provide roads and infrastructure. Over the course of a few months Wellman and a financial partner reluctantly became the owners of the property and operators of the golf course.
"The original plans for this land called for more housing but I felt that adding a golf course could make the commercial portion more attractive to future investors", said Wellman. "To secure permits we reduced the density of housing plans, worked with Fish & Game on wetland issues, and dealt with archeological diggings as this was an important Paiute Indian encampment. Then it just took a lot of hard work."
The hillside offered a chance to build a golf course with numerous elevation changes on holes, unique in Northern Nevada. After the survey stakes were set Wellman brought in area PGA professionals for some advice.
"We took our clubs and two buckets, one with sand to set up the tee locations, and one with beer to help us through the heat", Wellman said. "We hit shots to the greens stakes to determine how the holes would play. This was the most fun part of course design."
Sunridge Golf Club is an intriguing mix of open meadow holes, challenging water holes, and dramatic hillside holes that have drawn both praise and criticism. Some feel it's one of the great challenges in Northern Nevada while others will think that the designer is just this side of sadist. But it still draws many golfers back to play these challenging holes.
The par 72 course features five sets of tees and plays from 5,357 yards to 6,914 yards from the tips. The blue tees, at 6,482 yards, are the perfect spot for the solid player. Throughout the course the stunning views of the Carson Range and the Sierra Nevada Crest add to the drama of the golf course.
The first five holes are on the flattest part of the golf course and the rock-faced lakes add the challenge and fear. The potential here for scoring is good with generous landing areas off the tees.
The personality of the golf course changes on the way to the sixth hole, a 346-yard par 4. Here, the ridge extending down the right side of the hole can wreak havoc with your game. This hole requires a blind tee shot to the right followed by a short iron shot to a raised green jutting out from the ridge. Bunkers surround this undulated green and the wind can play tricks here. The only consolation here is the fact that Wellman considered fronting the green with a pond but backed off.
This hillside puts drama into the final three holes on the front side but serves as a warm-up to the back.
The closing nine is a series of holes where big lakes factor into the first four holes while the final five holes climb into the rocks and sagebrush. This side has recently been reworked to soften the edge but this is one players won't soon forget.
The fun really begins on No. 14, a 406-yard par 4 that one of the most contentious holes on the course. The downhill shot drops over 100-feet to a split fairway with distance being deceptive. A big hit here can roll through the fairway so a play to the right side to compensate is the proper shot. Experience makes this shot easier over time, the challenge a major factor guaranteeing return visits. The second shot is then uphill to a sloped green where par is exceptional. Take the ball and run!
The par 3 15th holes is just 120 yards and features a shot from the edge of a cliff to a green resting atop another ledge. Any less than well-struck shot ends up down in a grassy swale well below the hole. The downhill 16th is another hole where distance and alignment take experience to judge. The correct play is right allowing for the ball to follow the contour of the adjacent hillside.
Did we mention a 19th hole? While Sunridge has a comfortable snack bar and plenty of local conversation in the clubhouse upon completion, 18-hole tie-breakers can be resolved on a par 3 19th hole, a downhill lob with bunkers and water that definitely makes you want to give it a go. Like the entire course, a bit quirky, but definitely memorable.
THINGS I LIKE - The blend of meadow holes and dramatic hillside holes keeps you guessing and wanting more. This is one course that you can usually show up and play in less than four hours
THINGS I DON'T LIKE - the driving range is disappointing, with ragged mats and targets. The overall conditioning while good can be spotty on certain holes.
DIRECTIONS - From Carson City take Route 395 south past the big box stores to Mica Drive and turn left. Follow this road to Long Drive and find clubhouse on the left.
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Carson Valley
Dayton Valley
Eagle Valley East
Eagle Valley West
Empire Ranch
Genoa - Lakes Course
Genoa - Resort Course
Silver Oak
Sunridge
Sunridge Golf Club
100 Long Drive
Carson City , Nevada 89705
775-267-4448
Course Spec
Holes: 18
Slope: 138
Rating: 72.7
Par: 72
Length: 7,054
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