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“WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CORI BRETT?”
September/October 2013
“CARSON CITY DIVINE 9”
Eagle Valley Golf Course
When I was invited to play nine golf courses in one day, I thought it was a joke. But we set out at dawn on a cool
fall morning and raced from course to course to finish by dusk. What made it all work? We only played two holes
at each course. Amazingly, I got enough of a look to form a distinct impression of each one.
The “Divine 9” are scattered around Nevada’s capital, Carson City. It’s in western Nevada, just east of Lake Tahoe
and the California border. With the discovery of the rich Comstock Lode in 1859, adventurers flocked to Carson
City to make their fortunes in the silver mines. Today Carson City is a recreational bonanza, especially for golfers a rare combination of quality golf at affordable rates. Here’s a quick rundown.
Eagle Valley Golf Course welcomes players with two courses and an upbeat vibe. The fairly flat, parallel fairways
of the East Course make it great to walk. The newer West Course is tucked away at higher elevations and
presents a bigger challenge, with a 125 slope rating from the forward tees. Wide twisting fairways run along
brush-covered hillsides. I found my lost ball hiding in a field of fragrant fresh sage. Reasonable green fees
accommodate junior tournaments and school team competitions, and encourage seniors and super-seniors.
Silver Oak Golf Course winds through the Silver Oak master planned community, with scenic views of the valley.
Wish I had time for a lesson with Head Professional Robert Mason - he was voted “Carson City Golf Professional of
the Year” in 2013. Watching golfers finish up, I checked out the colorful 1950-60’s memorabilia inside, from
“Route 66” to replica gas pumps and neon beer signs.
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An Arnold Palmer Signature course, Dayton Valley Golf Club has played host to PGA Tour Qualifying since 1995.
With lakes on 10 of the 18 holes, and thick rough waiting to bury the ball, it’s as challenging as you might expect.
The course is impeccably maintained and in great shape, with velvety fairways and well-manicured bunkers.
Named for the little mining town of Empire City, Empire Ranch Golf Course has 27 holes that play through
environmentally protected wetlands and lakes. The Comstock, River and Sierra nines provide varying
combinations of play. Near Hole #2 on the Comstock nine, the historic Red House stands as a landmark to the
now-vanished town.
Course topography at Sunridge Golf Club makes it a challenging round, even with the two forward tees playing at
reasonable distances of 4,814 and 5,357 yards. Sloping fairways, forced carries, and steep hills are some of the
reasons, although views of the Carson Valley are spectacular from the highest tee boxes.
Genoa Lakes Golf Club
Genoa Lakes Golf Club earns its high rating by having top designers, a gorgeous setting, charm and class
throughout both courses and clubhouses. The Lakes Course, a Peter Jacobsen and John Harbottle III design, is the
annual host-site of U.S. Open Qualifying in northern Nevada. It’s laid out in the broad Carson River basin, along
wetlands that put a premium on accuracy. The Sierra Nevada Mountains form a scenic backdrop. Deer wandered
across fairways during our early morning round. The majestic Lakes clubhouse is my favorite and has the beststocked golf shop.
The Resort Course, Genoa Lakes’ second course, lies about two miles away and climbs into the foothills with more
than 300 feet of elevation changes, rugged terrain and great views. It’s co-designed by Johnny Miller and John
Harbottle III. The Alpine Room made me want to burst into song -“Sound of Music,” specifically – with its thick
carved furniture, cozy fireplace, and delicately painted wooden trim.
Carson Valley Golf Course is a pretty course, lush with vegetation and tall cottonwoods, planted by settlers over a
century ago, that shade fairways along the banks of the Carson River. This family-owned course has been popular
with locals in the know since 1965. It’s a fun round, playing from 4,677 yards to 6,020 yards. Players are
encouraged to “Tee It Forward.” Golf is a family affair for all ages, and junior tees have been set at 3,511 and
1,967 yards.
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Carson Valley Golf Course
A visit to 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort will soothe sore muscles. It’s located in rural Genoa. On the way
I was slightly detained by a line of cows crossing the road into another pasture. The cowboys politely tipped their
hats. Genoa (pronounced Gen-OH-a) was the first settlement in Nevada and a Pony Express stop. The Genoa Bar
and Saloon still looks authentic to the 1850’s era.
David Walley’s has five mineral springs, a pool, sauna and steam, and a newly remodeled full-service spa. Guests
stay in comfy one- and two-bedroom units with kitchens and fireplaces. The restaurant offers unusual game
dishes like Wild Boar Rack and Antelope Chops, plus an extensive, international wine list.
Downtown Carson City is a completely different experience than the peaceful Carson Valley. We stayed at Carson
Station Hotel Casino, a Best Western right on the “main drag,” with some of the nicest hotel staff I have ever met.
It’s close to the historic capital district, restaurants and nightlife. One of the most fun restaurants is Red’s Old
395 Grill, with great BBQ, crazy stuff hanging from the ceiling, and a lively atmosphere.
In a nutshell, Carson City and Divine 9 combine to offer a casual destination with a variety of golf and lots of fun
attractions, at affordable rates. And it could become even more affordable if Lady Luck happens to favor you at
the gaming tables.
www.divinenine.com, www.visitcarsoncity.com, www.visitcarsonvalley.org
“Escape with Cori” on assignment to exotic and fun golf destinations. First-hand impressions from an experienced
golf travel writer and AWGA member. www.coribrett.com. Copyright Cori Brett 2013 – do not copy or cite in
whole or in part without permission.