It’s July, for most of us that means summer break, celebrating the 4th, but for the world’s biggest celebrities it means that it’s time to brush up on their golf game and head to Lake Tahoe to tee it up in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship!
For 50 years golfers from all over have discovered that making a trip to Lake Tahoe to play the venerable Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is a great way to beat the heat back home in the summer. The recent addition of the deluxe 154-room Edgewood Lodge in June of 2017 along with a new 9th hole has turned the 18-hole public facility into an even better “must visit” place where golfers can enjoy the same VIP service and exquisite conditions that celebrities experience every July.
Located on the southern tip of Lake Tahoe—called the jewel of the High Sierras—the George Fazio design offers a challenging, but fair test through meadows and pine forests. There are trees not only bordering the hole but even a few in the fairways that must be avoided with tee shots and approaches. Water comes into play on 14 holes.
Just as important, especially on the closing holes, are the panoramic views of the blue waters of what is the second-deepest lake in America along with the snow-capped Sierras in the distance.
Building the lodge did result in George’s nephew Tom returning to make changes to the 9th hole, which used to be an inland hole with a sharp dogleg to the right. The tee was moved behind the former left green on No. 8 (there used to be two greens on that hole that were alternated). Golfers now get a glimpse of the lake from the tee. While 30 yards shorter, the winds off the lake now must be considered more when making club selections.
“It’s a dramatic improvement,” said Director of Golf Randy Fox. “It now provides a nice balance with finishing holes on the lake for both nines.”
While most of this hole is in Nevada like the rest of the course, a right-handed golfer stands the chance of hooking his drive off the tee into California. The state line angles from the left of the tee (as you play the hole) to include a portion of the left side of the fairway as you approach the green, maybe 80 yards short where a marker on the beach denotes the border.
Playing at more than 6,200 feet of elevation, golfers experience cooler temperatures (70-85) than back home during the summer and can expect to see the ball carry farther (10 to 15 percent) at the higher altitude. Who doesn’t need this help most of the time, especially off the tee?
The course can play from 5,343 yards from the red or ladies tees to 7,529 from the back tees. Remembering the higher altitude, playing from the whites at 6,339 will not be a backbreaker for the average golfers. One suggestion since the par 3s play about the same length from the whites, consider playing two of them from the blues. Also, take an extra club on the 167-yard No. 12 as the green is elevated and guarded by a deep bunker, just getting out can create a problem. Pars and even bogies are good on a nice variety of par 4s, but birdies can be made on the par 5s, especially Nos. 4 and 18 that play under 500 yards from the whites.
In its storied history, the course has played host to numerous major events, including the 1980 U.S. Public Links with Jodie Mudd as the champion and the 1985 U.S. Senior Open won by Miller Barber with the only score under par.
The course is closed during the second week of July every year for the American Century Golf Championship where many get a glimpse of the beauty of the facility from their television sets.
Don’t forget that after your round, you can stop by the Brooks’ Bar & Deck, selected by the editors of Golf Digest Magazine as one of the “Best Golf Pubs” in the world, and have a fantastic view from the patio of the golf course, the lake, and the Sierras. There’s a sprawling deck, a vaulted wide-beam ceiling, and long-paned windows. Brooks’ also offers a breakfast buffet and a wide array of choices for lunch and dinner
If you have the necessary “Benjamins” and want to be spoiled, I highly recommend that you consider also staying at the Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe, only a short walk away from the clubhouse, if you want an exceptional lodging experience. The standard room rates are around $350 and range to $800 depending on seasonality. Various packages and specials are offered throughout the year.
Designers captured the spirit of storied lodges of the Great American West when it opened in June 2017, being named “Most Beautiful Hotel in Nevada” by Architectural Digest.
The Great Room features 38-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows offering scenic views of the lake and the mountains. The grand staircase was fabricated from local wood logs, and the carved limestone wall was created by a Bay Area stone carver. Walnut was used for the paneling of the great hall ceilings and the other walls. The patterns and colors of the deer head art were designed to represent the Native American history of the area.
I was blown away by all the amenities during my one-night stay. The room had an in-room fireplace, a terrace with a seating area, a mini refrigerator, and a soaking tub (a great place to relax after a round of golf). I bypassed a chance to make a trip to the casino so I could enjoy all that was offered.
The Coffee Bar is open at 6 a.m. for the early risers, and there are two great places to dine–the Bistro from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and an hour longer on Fridays and Saturdays and the Edgewood Restaurant, opening at 5 p.m. and offering creative dishes along with a diverse wine list. If possible, reserve a table just before dark to catch the vibrant Sierra sunset.
There are fire pits outside the lodge en route to the swimming pool, which offers water warmed to the 80s all year, and a 40-person hot tub. Poolside cabanas are also available for rent by the half day or full day.
Nestled in a private yet expansive area in a peaceful, inviting atmosphere on the second floor is the spa that provides guests serenity, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
A state-of-the-art fitness center, open 24/7, is located on the third floor, offering the latest equipment, including an adaptive motion trainer, elliptical, stationary bikes, glide functional trainers and weight and strength training machines.
The lodge offers courtesy shuttles from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day to the casinos across the street or to other nearby attractions in the summer and the Heavenly Mountain Gondola in the winter when visitors want to go skiing.
Direct flights are available to Reno then you drive an hour to find a mountain paradise that blends natural beauty with exquisite comfort.