2016 BEST Golf Course Santa Rosa Golf Country Club

"If you get frisky, try to hit it too hard and pull it a little bit left, you’ll hit a cow." —Brent Stromgren

Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club is a place of rich heritage. Settled on quiet, spacious grounds, the facility features restaurants, event halls, plush sitting rooms and a large back balcony overlooking the main attraction: a sprawling, vibrantly green golf course.

 “The club was originally formed in 1916,”says Brent Stromgren, the club’s membership director. “That’s when the first organizing group got together.”  The golf course was built subsequently, starting with just nine holes. “[The club] was incorporated in 1921, but we have people who joined and became members before then. It was an evolution,” he says.

Today, the evolution continues. ClubCorp, an international club network that owns more than 300 clubs worldwide, recently acquired the club. According to Stromgren, the organization has plans for improvements. “Initially, we’ll begin working on the golf course,” he says.  “We’re getting all new bunkers with brand new drainage. It’ll look fantastic when it’s done, with nice white sugar sand. It’s going to be beautiful,” he enthuses.

Alistair McKenzie protégé Jack Fleming originally designed the course, which has hosted to a number of professional qualifying tournaments over the years, including the US Amateur and the US Open. “We have some really good, challenging holes out there,” says Stromgren. “So we’re well respected in the golfing community.” But which is the most difficult? “The most challenging hole on the course would be our third,” Stromgren smiles. “That’s the number one handicap. It’s a long par four that plays uphill; it’s always into the wind. It also has a very challenging green—and if you get frisky and try to hit it too hard and pull it a little bit left, you’ll hit a cow.”

ClubCorp also has plans for reinventing of the club’s bar and grill, expanding the pool area and fitness center, and ending with “a complete remodel and renovation upstairs.” But for now? “We’re working on a new menu,” he says. “I think that will come out very soon.” Keeping the crowd favorites, of course.

Above all, says Stromgren, it’s the atmosphere, not the amenities, that’s the main selling point. “People join for the golf course,” he allows. “Our course is in great shape, and it’s walkable. But the reason people stay is the people. It’s the camaraderie—the friendships that are forged. You can walk through the grill at night, sit down at a table, start talking to any member and they’ll welcome you like a friend. That’s what really matters out here.”

Meanwhile, the club is always eager to welcome new members. “We’re 100 years old and people are still just discovering us.” Stromgren says. “But really, we have so much to offer; a great golf course, year round, all the amenities and all the new developments coming.” That, he says, is what’s most exciting. “The infusion of energy, money and vision from ClubCorp is going to take this place to the next level.”