Sunday 17 July 2011

Meadow Club - MacKenzie's first American Design

In brief, Meadow Club is quite possibly the most delightful setting I have come across in my short golfing “career”. Just 45 minutes from the bustling downtown San Francisco, there is not a house or building to be seen when playing the golf course. It is set at the base of a valley, with lush green fairways against the backdrop of long brown rough.

The course was matched by the service – impeccable! A big thank you must go to Meadow Club's Head Professional, Jim O’Neil, who kindly allowed use to visit Meadow Club on a fine and sunny Friday afternoon.
It was a long but great day to begin the trip. Lunch at 1pm, putting green and driving range at 2pm, 1st tee at 2:45pm, dinner at 7:30pm and last to leave the Club at 10pm. We were joined by a member of Meadow Club (lucky man) by the name of Brad and his guest, Jeff. They certainly helped make the experience all the more better. We had a great chat about all things golf, particularly about the upcoming Clubs we are visiting.
After putting out on 18, we joined Brad’s family- his wife, twin boys and daughter. Naturally, we discussed the differences in the American and Australian language. I think I taught the kids a few words and phrases they can take to school on Monday. Dinner was kindly shouted by the guys- their hospitality to two, well not complete strangers was greatly appreciated.

For those that don’t know much about Meadow Club, this was Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s first American course and has been recently restored to bring back the early design and playability that was somwhat lost over the years. With a gradual “tree management process”, the Club is looking out removing 20-30 trees a year, finally get the course looking more like the one that opened back in 1927- a Meadow.

Result: Father defeated Son 3&2

No comments:

Post a Comment