By KATIE WATTS / Petaluma Towns Correspondent
As the days grow warmer and summer approaches, golfers’ thoughts turn to the greens. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening at Petaluma’s three public golf facilities.
Petaluma Golf Center, 200 Stony Point Road, 778-0696, petalumagolfcenter.com
This golf practice facility at the north end of town was closed for a while last year because of problems with deteriorating nets. But owner Tony Mindel said he has been “working hard to bring this place back.”
Although replacing the nets has been a long process, “everything’s going well, and we’re excited,” he said. “We get a lot of regulars, some coming in every day, even rainy Tuesdays in February.”
Mindel describes the range as a family place, a spot where seasoned golfers and just-starting-out kids are equally welcome.
Mike Jones hits balls at the Petaluma Golf Center driving range. (Chris Chung / Press Democrat)
“Retirees, older folks, regular golfers — everyone comes. It’s affordable.”
Affordable is just that: $5 for a bucket of golf balls. “People are price conscious. They know they can come here, bring their kids, and for five or 10 bucks, have a great experience.”
Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
As golf enthusiasts seek convenient and weather-proof alternatives, indoor golf facilities provide a compelling solution.
While traditional outdoor ranges like the Petaluma Golf Center offer open-air practice, indoor golf venues offer year-round accessibility and protection from the elements. One such facility, www.chgolf.com.au, caters to golfers of all skill levels, providing state-of-the-art simulators that replicate real course conditions with remarkable accuracy.
Whether it’s fine-tuning your swing, testing your skills on famous courses worldwide, or enjoying a fun outing with family and friends, indoor golf offers a versatile and immersive experience that transcends traditional practice settings.
Rooster Run Golf Course, 2301 E. Washington St., 778-1211 or roosterrun.com
Opened in 1998, Rooster Run Golf Course is a 7,001-yard links-style course with undulating hills, six lakes and the area’s only island green.
“It’s a good layout,” says head golf pro Rob Watson. “We’ve got an all-grass driving range. A lot of people don’t like to hit off the mat.”
Another draw, he believes, is that it’s out in the country. “We get a lot of wildlife … some swans have made it their home, and there are many types of ducks.”
For female golfers, there’s a popular new class called Range & ‘Ritas (margaritas) and the equally popular Nine and Wine, a nine-hole league. With summer almost here, junior golfing camps are coming up.
The Rooster is a friendly place, Watson says. “People are treated really well here, greeted by their first name.”
Rates start at $10 for juniors and peak at $58 for weekends, with discounts for members and Petaluma residents.
Adobe Creek Golf Course, 1901 Frates Road, 765-3000 or adobecreek.com
Adobe Creek was hit hard by the recession and closed in December 2010 after its owners filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It opened again in July 2011 under new ownership and is operated by the folks at Rooster Run.
“We’ve weathered the storm,” says Watson.
Adobe Creek was purchased in April 2011 by Sonoma County builder Bill Gallaher, former owner of Santa Rosa’s Oakmont Golf Course and a founding member of Fountaingrove Golf & Athletic Club, also in Santa Rosa.
The new owner returned the course to its original “high quality condition,” Watson says, making improvements that included reshaping some of the sand traps, taking others out and making the rough less, well, rough.
“People are impressed with the work that’s been done. It’s the best it has ever been, every bit as good as Rooster Run.”
Adobe Creek also offers links-style golfing and an all-grass driving range. The 18-hole, 6,886-yard course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., opened in 1990 and features a few trees and rolling fairways.
Just as at Rooster Run, Watson talks about the same friendly spirit and welcoming attitude. “It’s a fun environment.”
Rates start at $10 for juniors and peak at $52 on weekends, with discounts for members and Petaluma residents.
