Time for nine: You may have heard the phrase used before. Golf Digest, along with Professional Golfers’ Association of America and U.S. Golf Association, started a campaign with this initiative in 2013. The idea came from an awareness that nine-hole golf courses were becoming more and more popular because less and less people had the time to play 18 holes. Ponderosa golf course, Truckee’s publicly owned, nine-hole course, is the perfect place to make time for nine.
Par 35 | 9 holes
Yardage | 3,022
Slope | 119-123
Rating | 66.6-73.6
Ponderosa Golf Course opened in 1961 as an affordable, publicly owned golf option for the area. It is now owned by the Truckee Tahoe Airport District and is managed by the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District. My golf partner David “Day Day” Gosiewski and I found the course to be quiet and serene, which was a pleasant surprise considering its central location.
Ponderosa offers three sets of tee boxes, which I always appreciate as a female golfer. Greens and sand traps were well maintained, even in the early season.
The fairways are nestled between tall, established pines, with mountain views visible on many of the holes. Hole 5 was my favorite; it really has a beautiful view of the Sierra. Hole 3 was also fun to play. It’s a short hole, with the flag fairly elevated; a fun par 3. Gosiewski nearly had a hole in one, but settled for an easy birdie.
Ponderosa is a great golf option for players of all levels. This would be the perfect place to teach kids the game. Season rates for kids and juniors are $125 and $200, respectively. TDRPD also offers a number of golf clinics for kids, as well as kid-geared, golf outings on Mondays. Rentals clubs are available, as well.
I look forward to playing Ponderosa again in the evening. The course is known for its twilight rates of $25 after 2:30 p.m. I can only imagine how nice the course must be while viewing the Truckee sunset. I also want to go back and enjoy the nice patio area next to the snack bar. It seems like a great place to catch some rays and enjoy a beverage after a quick 9 on a hot summer’s day. | (530) 587-3501 or ponderosagolfcoursetruckee.com
