In addition to the wonderful courses in San Francisco (five of which are public and maintained by San Francisco Recreation and Parks), our close proximity to twenty-five world-class golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula, as well as fifty-two courses in Alameda (4), Marin (8), Napa (4), San Mateo (18), and Sonoma County (18), makes living in the Bay Area a thrill for golfers of all budgets and skill levels.
Though my free time is limited working in real estate, golfing is how I spend the majority of that free time now that I am no longer raising young children, taking care of two octogenarians, or volunteering hundreds of hours on multiple Boards. It is a complex, nuanced sport that also involves walking up and down hills for seven and a half miles. I have met new clients on the course and golfed with many colleagues and past clients, which makes it more integrated with work than cycling was. It's also less dangerous, and thankfully, I haven't yet been hit with a golf ball.
Located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco's Presidio Golf Course is renowned for its spectacular forest setting of eucalyptus and cypress, as well as its challenging play. Once restricted to military officers and private club members, today the 18-hole course is open to the public. I typically golf at Presidio at least once per week.
Widely considered the top public golf course in San Francisco, TPC Harding Park is an ideal alternative to its more exclusive neighbor along Lake Merced, the Olympic Club. Owned by the City of Francisco and managed by the PGA, TPC Harding Park offers the 18-hole Harding Park course and the nine-hole Fleming. I was honored to represent my real estate partner, W Real Estate in the Asian Real Estate Association of America's annual golf tournament in August 2022.
Cliffs, Fleming, Gleneagles, and Golden Gate Park are all nine-hole courses, and all are public except Cliffs, the Par 3 course at the Olympic Club. I have golfed Cliffs and Fleming. Both are great for a quick round and terrific views.
Two courses I highly recommend if you have access are Stanford Golf Course, and the Lake Course at the Olympic Club. I won the round for four at Stanford at a fundraiser benefiting the Curry Senior Center. The course is open to current Stanford University faculty/staff, students, members, alumni, and their guests. It's an incredible location flanked by oak trees and equestrian property. A friend and client hosted me on the incredible Lake Course, which has hosted six U.S. Opens, and most recently its first U.S. Women’s Championship in 2021.
Last week, I golfed the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay (pictured) for the first time, and it was a treat. Featuring two championship 18-hole courses adjacent the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, it is listed as one of the World's Best Golf Resorts by Travel + Leisure magazine.
This upcoming March, I look forward to golfing in a tournament on behalf of my office at the newly-renovated Lake Merced Golf Club. The Meadow Club and Mayacama Golf Club are also high on my list to experience in 2023. Having had a fantastic time golfing 27 holes at Corica Park Golf Course this year, I'm looking forward to getting back to their newly renovated North Course. If you're looking for a great overnight nearby, be sure to get a room at the Lodge at Bodega Bay and golf the Links at Bodega Harbour.
Our 2022 W Real Estate company tournament and picnic was hosted at the charming nine-hole Healdsburg Golf Club at Tayman Park. We frequently have all-office meetings at the Windsor Golf Club, which I have not had the opportunity to golf yet. Both are public and relatively inexpensive considering the quality of the course.
South to the Monterey Peninsula, I helped produce a week-long golf retreat 15 years ago for the AMB Property Corporation at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay which gave me the opportunity to become familiar with Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay. I have yet to play either. I attended my first AT&T Pro-Am Tournament in 2022 and enjoyed walking the entire Spyglass Hill Course with two friends who were playing in the tournament. I also golfed the stunning Tehama Golf Club in 2022 with dear friends from Dallas. On my list to experience are Cypress Point, Del Monte, Monterey Peninsula, Pasatiempo, and the Preserve Golf Clubs.
It's easy to be passionate about golf, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to exercise outdoors in beautiful locations. I'm always happy to take out clients and friends, often need a partner for tournaments, and appreciate immensely the relationships I've developed on the course in the last couple of years. Please reach out if I can answer any questions, provide recommendations, or you want to get out on the course.
