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While it's not on the radar for the most tourists, Truckee, Calif., is a small jewel of a town nestled high in the breathtaking Sierra Nevadas, surrounded by shimmering Lake Tahoe, world-class skiing at Mt. Rose, and Reno, N.V., "the biggest little city in the world." Small-town charm and hospitality keep visitors coming back, while golfers can chose from a remarkable array of options nearby.
Tahoe Golf offers two spectacular courses taking advantage of the pristine setting and beautiful scenery. Old Greenwood and The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing are both Audubon International Gold Certified Sanctuaries, and were conceived and designed to leave a small ecological footprint and consume as few resources as possible. As part of the larger development, acreage to the east was donated to the Truckee Land Trust; about 250 acres were preserved with hopes that it never be developed.
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"The golf course sits on the north and south side of a wetland area," says Jason DeHerrera, director of agronomy for Tahoe Mountain Club, which owns both courses. DeHerrera started at Old Greenwood, then worked as an assistant superintendent at Gray's Crossing. He was promoted to the superintendent position before taking the helm overseeing both courses.
Summers are dry and the water levels in the wetlands are seasonal; nonetheless they are considered environmentally sensitive. "The golf course was built around two streams that run through the property west to east," DeHerrera explains. "The course was laid out with the thought of preserving the streams."
The water flow through the streambeds also varies throughout the year. No matter what the speed and velocity of the flow, though, they are important for wildlife. In addition, as a critical component of the area's watershed, it is necessary to closely monitor the water quality.
"We test the water where it enters the course, in the middle and where it exits," DeHerrera says. "We monitor it three times during the season and through any major rain events. We want to make sure that it doesn't affect our neighbors downstream. Water is a big deal up here!"
Fertilizer and pesticide inputs are kept to a minimum. "We definitely focus on an organic program," DeHerrera says. "We're fortunate because this area is basically arid and the temperatures are mild, so there isn't a lot of disease pressure or insect problems."
The wetland area of the course is basically left alone. "We have signage posted on the boundaries to insure that golfers don't drive through them," DeHerrera notes. "We don't allow any maintenance equipment there, either. It was understood when the project was under construction that the wetlands would be preserved."
The golf course construction actually enhanced the area. "There were areas that were actually dump sites, with old refrigerators and stuff around," DeHerrera says. Now the local wildlife feels right at home.
"It's a unique golf experience. When the course was built, they didn't move a lot of soil around and used the natural lay of the land when they formed the holes," DeHerrera says. "Golfers say it's like taking a walk in the woods...while you're playing golf at the same time!"
About the author
Helen M. Stone is a freelance writer based in Hayfork, Calif., and a frequent GCI contributor.