Page 26 - Copy of template for newsletter MARCH 2020

Play It Again, Sam

By Member Michael Ahern

As a new member who enjoys learning about golf course architecture I have become
intrigued with the history of SGC and the 177 heavenly acres we share together.

The rolling terrain, the massive oaks, the turtles in their ponds, and the sweeping

vistas of the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains are indeed spellbinding and can

thankfully provide a much-needed distraction from the double bogeys that can

plague my game.

When asked about the course by folks who have not had the privilege to play SGC

my short answer is "Sonoma Golf Club is an ever challenging but fair test and
a pleasant walk". However, as every golfer playing SGC on a regular basis knows,

like a fine wine, our course possesses subtle complexities.

Former Golden State touring golf professional Steve Shaffer wrote "SGC offers

shot-making choices that excite golfers swinging graphite and titanium just as

it did when they were carrying hickory and persimmon." I agree with Mr. Shaffer's

assessment, and I'm glad I'm not trying to flex hickory shafts these days given my

mighty 90 mph swing speed.

SGC's classic golden age design and thoughtful modern era renovations share

design elements with some of the world's great golf courses. One example is in our
course routing. Englishmen and SGC architect Sam Whiting crafted an ingenious

routing on our magnificent property. A clockwise front nine around the outer

edge of the property followed by a counterclockwise back nine inside. Same as
we see at Muirfield.