Grizzly Ranch is located 45 minutes from Reno, just outside of Portola, Calif. I was very excited about playing this course for the first time. All I had heard were comments on how beautiful and challenging this course is. I was expecting a beautiful course that has great views, tree lined fairways and is challenging yet playable. For the average golfer to enjoy their round, the suggested tees are the Copper tees.

The first hole is a 390-yard par 4, slight dogleg left, with a waterfall, stream and natural wildlife off the tee. The fairway is fairly open with a bunker guarding the left side. You want to aim your tee shot to the right of the fairway bunker to set up a nice second shot to the green. Play your approach shot to the right side of the green, as the green is protected by two bunkers guarding the left. Be careful. The fairway narrows as you approach this fairly large, wavy green.

Hole No. 3 is the No. 1 handicap hole on the course. It is a 567-yard par 5. The tee shot is a blind tee shot into an open fairway. Even the big hitters will be challenged to reach the green in two on this hole. The safe second shot is to lay up as close as possible to the ravine, giving you a clear approach shot to the green. Favor the right side as the fairway slopes right to left, pushing shots hit to the right side back toward the middle. Your approach shot requires all carry into the green, which is guarded by bunkers in the front and back right sides of the green. Do not be afraid to hit too much club as the green has hills behind it to hold your shot. Being short on this approach shot is not an option. Pin placement is important, as the green is a large, bi-level green.

Hole No. 7 is a 482-yard par 5, which plays like a small "W." Play your tee shot to the middle of a narrow fairway, which is lined by trees on both sides. Big hitters who are tempted to go for the green in two should take caution. The green is elevated and is guarded by a bunker in the front middle side of the green. Shots that fall just short of the green run the risk of rolling back down into the valley in front of the green. The safe shot is to play your shot down to the valley prior to the green to set up a short approach shot over the bunker. The green is elevated and large in size with a ridge that runs from the front middle to the back right side. Make sure to hit your approach shot to the correct portion of the green to give yourself an opportunity to score on this hole.

The front nine finishes off with a 389-yard par 4, from an elevated tee box. The fairway is very narrow, with water playing off the left side up through the green. Play your tee shot toward the right side of the fairway to set up a safer approach shot to the green. On your approach shot, you want to play into the right side of the green to avoid the water and bunker guarding the left side, in addition to the green sloping right to left.

The back nine starts off with a 365-yard par 4. The hole is an uphill, slight dogleg left. You want to play your tee shot down the middle/left portion of a fairly open fairway. The green is a large, bi-level green. Pin location is important to being successful on this hole.

Hole No. 12 is a 611-yard par 5. This hole is a monster and is arguably one of the most difficult par 5's I have ever played. In addition to the length, the fairway twists and turns its way to a well-protected green. You want to hit your tee shot as close to the middle as possible. The fairway plays fairly narrow with rough on both the left and right sides. Be careful not to hit your tee shot too far as your ball will find its way into a ravine. The second shot is a fairway or long iron over the ravine into another fairly narrow landing area. To make matters worse, the hole played into the wind on this day. The third shot is another long shot into an elevated, well-protected green. Less than two well played shots will leave you having to lay up on your fourth shot prior to going for the green. The green is long but narrow and must be approached through the air. You will want to play your approach shot toward the right side as the left side is out of bounds. To make things more interesting, there are two bunkers lining the right and back side of the green.

The course finishes up with two interesting holes. The first is Hole No. 17, which is a 415-yard par 4, slight dogleg left. There is a creek 222 yards off the tee box, so you will need to play a fairway wood or long iron off the tee. Wind will play a factor on club selection on this tee shot. There is a large open landing area to set up your approach shot into the green. The green is a large, bi-level green with a small valley separating the two tiers. You do not want to miss going into this green left.

The final hole on the day is the signature hole on the course. It is a 498-yard par 5, slight dogleg right, with a fairly open fairway. Play your tee shot to the middle/left portion of the fairway. Big hitters might think twice about going for the green as they may have to carry the water down the left edge of the fairway and in front of the green. The safe second shot is toward the fairway bunker and toward the right side of the fairway. Pin placement is important as it is a large, bi-level green, with a bunker protecting the front right side and water protecting the left, making it difficult to putt from the wrong side of the green.

Playing from the Copper tees made for a fun, yet challenging round of golf. The playing tip we received prior to playing was the course played as "what you see is what you get." With this, I decided to play "hit at the pin" with my approach shots, and hit careful tee shots, attempting to keep the ball in play.

Grizzly Ranch was picturesque, challenging, and a lot of fun to play. The course required accurate shots, and was at times not forgiving when hitting less than a perfect shot. The fairways were fairly open, but when you missed, you found yourself in native grasses and wildflowers. Luckily it was fairly easy to find your ball. It seemed most of the greens were large in size and very wavy. They were average speed and extremely readable. The greens seemed to break less than it appeared. If you have not played Grizzly Ranch before, make sure to play this course soon and take advantage of the limited outside play being allowed. This is a course that may become entirely private in the future.

Grizzly Ranch is a beautiful challenging course, located in a mountainous valley. This unique residential golf community has homes and lots built around the course, yet they are built back so as not to obstruct the views from the golf course. The homes do not come into play except for a couple holes, giving the entire area the mountain cabin look and feel. All ability levels will enjoy playing Grizzly Ranch for the beauty and charm of the course.

- - The Facts on Grizzly Ranch - -

4375 Grizzly Road

Portola, CA

(530) 832-4200

www.grizzlyranch.com

Designer: Bob Cupp

Golfweek – "1 of top 40 new courses since 2005"

Golf the High Sierra –

"Best course you've never heard of"

Date played: Monday, July 21, 2008

Dress Code

Men are required to wear shirts with collars and sleeves, slacks or shorts of mid-thigh length or longer.

Women are requested to wear appropriate blouses, slacks, golf skirts or shorts of mid-thigh length or longer.

Rates

Membership: Resident, non-resident and national memberships are available, with dues varying on the level of membership

Limited outside play: Weekdays after 11 a.m. and Weekends after 12 p.m. Please call the Pro Shop for tee times and rates



Lessons/Clinics/Events: Reserved for Grizzly Ranch members

Next Week's featured course is Lakeridge Golf Course located in Reno, NV

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