Inside the course: Sonoma Golf Club
Oct. 29, 2008
The final event of the Champions Tour season will take place at Sonoma Golf Club. Learn more about this venue:
| Fast facts |
| Original architect |
Sam Whiting (1928) |
| Course redesign |
Robert Muir Graves (1991) |
| Course superintendent |
Jason Goss |
| Number of Champions Tour events as host venue |
5 (including 2008) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 29 (out of 30) in difficulty on the Champions Tour in 2007 |
| Yardage history |
7,029 yards (2003) |
| |
7,086 (2004) |
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7,116 (2005) |
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7,111 (2006-present) |
| Grass |
Perennial ryegrass; Poa annua (tees, fairways, rough); Poa annua (greens) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
12 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
76 |
| Water hazards |
4 |
| Course tour |
Click here |
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| Course record |
|
Player
Jim Thorpe
|
Year
2003 |
Round
1st |
Finish
WON |
|
| 2007 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
 |
The par-3 204-yard 4th This par 3 demands pinpoint accuracy. O.B. is left and bunkers guard both sides of the green. If the pin is back add one-to-two clubs. This green falls away at the front and a ridge runs through the middle. Be very careful, three putts are common.
2007: 0 eagles, 9 birdies, 82 pars, 25 bogeys, 0 double bogey, 0 others. |
| Easiest hole in 2007 |
 |
The par-5 541-yard 16th Intimidating tee shot. Trees left and a large bunker right. Favor the right to open the dogleg. Bunkers and wastelands on both sides make your second shot a challenge. Your apprach shot is to one of the largest greens on the course. Beware! Over is a sure bogey or worse.
2007: 9 eagles, 59 birdies, 43 pars, 4 bogeys, 1 double bogeys and 0 others. |
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| Sonoma GC |
2007 rankings |
| 1 |
4 |
386 |
3.879 |
11 |
| 2 |
5 |
552 |
4.672 |
16 |
| 3 |
4 |
409 |
3.94 |
8 |
| 4 |
3 |
204 |
3.138 |
1 |
| 5 |
4 |
431 |
3.922 |
9 |
| 6 |
4 |
417 |
3.966 |
7 |
| 7 |
3 |
219 |
3.095 |
2 |
| 8 |
5 |
596 |
4.733 |
15 |
| 9 |
4 |
345 |
3.819 |
12 |
| 10 |
4 |
425 |
3.914 |
10 |
| 11 |
4 |
359 |
3.759 |
14 |
| 12 |
4 |
427 |
4.043 |
3 |
| 13 |
5 |
587 |
4.517 |
17 |
| 14 |
3 |
215 |
2.983 |
5 |
| 15 |
4 |
436 |
4.026 |
4 |
| 16 |
5 |
541 |
4.388 |
18 |
| 17 |
3 |
142 |
2.767 |
13 |
| 18 |
4 |
420 |
3.974 |
6 |
|
| Course origins |
Sam Whiting and Willie Watson designed the golf course in 1928 as a walking golf course, situated at the base of the Sonoma Mountain. The course sits on 177 acres with views of the Mayacama Mountains and Sonoma Valley vineyards.
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In 1991, architect Robert Muir Graves enhanced the original design elements with modern construction techniques. The layout insures gentle uphill, downhill and sidehill lies with upwind, downwind and sidewind holes. The course also has visually pleasing green complexes.
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The signature hole at Sonoma Golf Club is No. 7. A par-3 with a lateral hazard along the entire right side and back of the green welcoming players from the tee. Bunkers and oaks protect the left side of the green, while a bunker and creek protect the right side. No. 7 measures 219 yards form the Black tee.
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| The prior site of the 1922 Valley of the Moon Golf Club was recently discovered on the property. -- Source: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America |
|
| Tournament course history |
| Hyatt Dorado Beach (East) |
Dorado, Puerto Rico |
1990-1993 |
| Dunes Golf & Beach Club |
Myrtle Beach, S.C. |
1994-1999 |
| TPC Myrtle Beach |
Murrell's Inlet, S.C. |
2000 |
| Gaillardia G&CC |
Oklahoma City, Okla. |
2001-2002 |
| Sonoma GC |
Sonoma, Calif. |
2003-present |
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