Not too distant from the bright lights of Stateline, Nev., the Lake Tahoe Golf Course sits amongst the floodplains of the Lake Valley State Recreation Area, just a few miles from the lake’s southeastern shore. The grounds were constructed at the junction of Angora Creek and the Upper Truckee River just below Fallen Leaf Lake and the Desolation Wilderness area of Eldorado National Forest. The two waterways connect to form the largest tributary flowing into Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Golf Course | Alex Green
18 Holes | Par 71
Yardage | 3,702 to 6,741
Slope | 115 to 124
Rating | 67.1 to 71.3
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“Driveable par 4s, pronounced dog legs for the fade or draw,
forced carries, forced layups and all too relevantly
located bunkers and trees are just a few of the challenges.”
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The front and back nines were built separate in 1958 and 1962, respectively, and were fashioned by Western golf design legend William Bell. Sitting just above lake level, the expansive valley is scenically surrounded on all sides by panoramas of 8,000- to 10,000-foot mountain peaks. Originally used by the Washoe Tribe, the land was eventually home to logging and dairy farm operations. At one time even a drag racing strip occupied property in the meadow. In the late 1970s, several developments were proposed for the land, but in 1984, The California Department of State Parks purchased the property and has since worked to restore the waterways to a sustainable state, while simultaneously protecting the pristine nature of the course itself and maintaining the environmental integrity of the surrounding habitat.
The course is a par 71 and plays 6,741 yards from the gold tees, starting and ending with a par 5. The plains as a whole are relatively flat on a large scale of things, yet each hole rolls from tee to green subtlety up and down in relation to the lay of the land. An old course adage is that the highest points of elevation are the apexes of its ached bridges. This makes the place walking friendly and also easy to spot your landing zone most of the time. It is not terribly long in distance, and often feels pretty scorable. However, a sudden case of the shanks can easily leave you with an unplayable lie.
The fairways are usually wide enough to place a well-hit ball, but edges of the rough tend to give way to a body of water or the tall and thick native foliage. The greens are spacious, well balanced and notably quick. Driveable par 4s, pronounced dog legs for the fade or draw, forced carries, forced layups and all too relevantly located bunkers and trees are just a few of the challenges you’ll encounter on this gem of a championship layout.
There are practice facilities onsite, with a full driving range, putting and chipping greens. For those more inclined to kick a ball around than to hit one, the course doubles as a foot golf course every night after 5 p.m. Ask about the Friday night pasta bar and live entertainment, weddings, tournaments, corporate events and group or private lessons with PGA director of instruction David E. Gilpin.
For more information or to book a tee time, call (530) 577-0788 or visit laketahoegc.com.
