COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. -- Saddle Creek Resort – the gated, 900-acre Castle & Cooke community in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills – today announces its expanded practice facility will open in September, featuring new Zoysia turf target greens, additional driving stations and an enhanced short game area with new chipping and putting greens.
The Carter Morrish-designed layout will host the storied 2006 Northern California Open Championship September 24-27, as the state’s best players will match wits and games against the 6,826-yard circuit. Leading up to and following the tournament, the Tour-level practice facility will be utilized and enjoyed by members and resort guests.
“Our members are committed to improving their games and the expanded practice facility provides the forum for honing both their short and long games,” says Saddle Creek General Manager Bill Troyanoski. “Guests of the resort now have a place to not only warm-up, but to work on their games during weekend and extended stays.”
The dense, cushiony Zoysia target greens have a unique texture and contrast reminiscent of the various native grasses used throughout the course. During winter months, the dormant Zoysia set against the deep green rye grass will provide a series of well-defined targets. The new short game area – allowing for full shots up to 90 yards – offers a wide-variety of chipping and pitching options.
In addition to the expanded practice facility, Saddle Creek recently completed a major enhancement project, as the course’s 100 bunkers were completely remodeled with new drainage, liners and sand. A new turf management program has the course’s bentgrass greens and rye grass fairways, tees and rough in optimum condition heading into the peak fall golf season.
The considerable re-investment in the golf course by owners Castle & Cooke has paid tremendous dividends. For the third consecutive year, Saddle Creek ranked among the Top-10 courses in California in Golfweek’s “America’s Best Courses 2006” ratings, appearing at No. 9 on the prestigious list. It was also included on Golfweek’s Top-100 listing of “America’s Best Residential Golf Courses.” Saddle Creek was included in the 2006/07 ZAGAT listing of “America’s Top Golf Courses” and was named one of “The 101 Best Golf Experiences in the West” by Fairways and Greens magazine.
For more information about Saddle Creek Resort, call 800.611.7722 or visit www.saddlecreek.com .
About Saddle Creek
Designed by Carter Morrish and opened in 1996, the Saddle Creek Golf Club is framed by the Sierra Mountains and challenges players of all levels with five sets of tees, 100 crystal white sand bunkers and handful of shimmering lakes. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other. Saddle Creek’s thoughtful design and sublime conditioning have led to numerous national accolades, such as being rated one of the top four semi-private courses in Northern California by Golf Today and as one of the best golfing experiences in the Western United States by Fairways and Greens magazine.
Saddle Creek Resort’s diverse and award-winning real estate blends resort and residential atmospheres. Custom homesites start at $300,000 and residential opportunities range (home and lot) from the $600s to more than $1 million. Boasting views of small lakes and oak-covered hills, these picturesque homes serve as countryside retreats and make for the ideal escape for residents in the Bay Area, San Jose and Sacramento -- all between 1.5 and two hours away.
Each neighborhood at Saddle Creek is carefully planned to complement and augment the golf course. Architectural design guidelines ensure each home is unique and blends with the overall residential theme. New real estate releases for 2006 include: Quail Creek, estate and custom homesites with beautiful views of the nearby hillsides and valleys (from the low $300s) ; Luxury Custom Homes, offered by Castle & Cooke and Vista Homes with elevations available upon request (from the mid $1,000,000s); and Copper Glen - The Foothill Collection of Country Homes, featuring six plans and 19 elevations (from$675 to $790) with club membership incentives for early buyers .
Residents and guests of Saddle Creek can also enjoy the beauty of the Quail trail with miles of hiking trails and mountain biking and nearby skiing, snowmobiling, and the nearby Lake Tulloch. Also of interest are the sports club, featuring a 3,000-square-foot facility offering yoga and aerobic classes, a large pool, kids’ wading pool and a Jacuzzi spa. The Lodge at Saddle Creek features a fully-stocked bar and an extensive wine list, stunning vistas and the nationally-recognized culinary operation at the acclaimed Copper Grille.
Castle & Cooke, in their goals of enhancing the overall communities where they have ongoing developments and operating facilities, are adding to the Saddle Creek Resort experience. Currently in development, Copperopolis Town Square will bring an exciting new dimension to Copperopolis with its traditional town square, specialty shops, boutique art galleries, restaurants and many other businesses and that complements a retail focused mixed use town that sets alongside a beautiful creek and lake.
Saddle Creek Resort, as well as Coyote Creek Golf Club outside of San Jose, is owned and operated by Castle & Cooke, Inc. that, along with its affiliated companies, has operations in over 24 states. The company’s diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and ownership of public warehouses. The company’s real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, Lake Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, and Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California. The company also owns two of the world’s highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana’i in Hawaii.
CONTACT:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
803.547.2118 (o)
704.519.8381 (c)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
