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 A blissfully brisk early morning chill eventually gives way to a sun-drenched mid-afternoon, and as you stand in the fairway on the par-5 16th hole at Edgewood Tahoe, annual site of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, you’d swear those piercing rays of sunshine prohibiting you from tracking your ball as it sails toward Lake Tahoe are being beamed down directly from heaven.
But it’s just another day in one of America’s most scenic regions, an area known for world-class skiing, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities and unsurpassed natural beauty that aspires to plant its flag at the golf destination summit.
Known as the High Sierra, the region encompassing the cities of Reno and Carson City covers a diverse geographical area extending from the south shore of Lake Tahoe to the far reaches of California cow country in Graeagle. Here you’ll find dozens of dramatic championship-caliber courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones and Johnny Miller.
Playing golf in the Reno-Tahoe area is an adventure in variety that spans the full spectrum of scenery, going from desert links-style layouts just outside of Reno to rugged mountain tracks in Truckee, the majority of which are often set against a backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains.
A renaissance of sorts is underway in Reno, where a revitalized downtown is transforming the image of northern Nevada’s largest city from a gambling getaway to a more clean-cut urban chic environment. But if you’re in town looking for trouble, don’t fret, the Rat Pack spirit is still alive in “The Biggest Little City,” where visitors can always find an unsavory dive bar or late-night poker game.
The city annually hosts a PGA Tour stop, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, at Montreux Country Club, the centerpiece of a high-end private community. The public golfer will find plenty of places to play here including ArrowCreek, D’Andrea, Wolf Run and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Lakes course at the Resort at RedHawk.
Further south is the state capital of Carson City and its surrounding valleys, home to the golf course conglomerate known as the Divine Nine. Outposts like Genoa appear to have been cryogenically frozen during pioneer days and thawed back into existence for travelers and history buffs to enjoy. On the way to Genoa, the first settlement of the Nevada Territory, golfers would be well served to drop by the Genoa Lakes Golf Club, a 36-hole facility that features not so subtle elevation changes and spectacular panoramic views.
Take time to stroll through the grounds of the state capital building and Nevada Supreme Court, a park-like setting that’s more reminiscent of Savannah, Ga., than the Old West. The grab a bite to eat at one of Carson City’s authentic dining establishments like Red’s Old 395 Grill or The Firkin and Fox.
Finally it’s time to get a glimpse of the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe, a deep alpine expanse of liquid sky that has beckoned vacationers to its shores since the days of the Washo Indians. Tahoe’s most famous layout is found straddling the Nevada-California border. Edgewood Tahoe and its postcard-perfect finishing stretch of 16-17-18 is a bucket list type of course that every serious golfer should visit at least once.
Climb from the south shores of Tahoe to the resplendent Incline Village to experience one of the Reno-Tahoe region’s best kept secrets – The Championship Course at Incline Village, another Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece. Bombers will enjoy bashing their ball through the thin air and everyone will marvel at the amazing views of Lake Tahoe from above.
 Your next stop should be the handsome and historic city of Truckee, Ca., home to a unique combination of cross-town courses that makes it absolutely imperative for golfers to play 36 holes before leaving. Jack Nicklaus’ Old Greenwood and the sublime Coyote Moon are mountain monuments to the game. If you’re looking to “Stay and Play,” check out the brand new Ritz-Carlton Highlands Lake Tahoe overlooking the Village at NorthStar.
Finally finish out your trip in Plumas County, an out-of-the-way spot so secluded and clandestine that cell phone service can’t be guaranteed. Local favorites include Plumas Pines Golf Resort and Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club.
For more information on the area, including help planning a golf vacation, visit www.golfthehighsierra.com , the premier Web site dedicated to the Reno-Tahoe destination.
Photos Courtesy of Rod Hanna
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