NOT FOUND: haggin oaks.jpgI was out today and trying to decide, “Where do I want to play today?” when I realized there is a course right here in Sacramento that I have never played. I have played the public, the resorts and the most of the private courses in the area, but I had never played one of the more popular tracks in all of Sacramento. I had never played Haggin Oaks, until today. There are two courses in the Haggin Oaks golf complex; The Alister MacKenzie course and the Arcade Creek course. The MacKenzie course was designed by Alister MacKenzie; yes the same gentleman who designed Augusta National, 73 years ago. In 2001, the city put $6.5 million into renovations at the MacKenzie course, improving irrigation and rebuilding the 18th and 9th greens to fit the original Alister MacKenzie design. In doing so, they created an island among the three freeways, I-80, Business 80 and Watt Avenue that encircle the complex. The escape is so complete that after you clear the first tee, your only reminder of the world outside is the occasional passing of a freight train just outside the northern border of the 350-acre layout. There are no houses, no buildings and no reminders of the outside world once you're underway. Here, the stately oaks average over 100-years-old, the bent grass fairways and teeing areas are lush casting a brilliant green luster from tee to green.
This course starts off with holes that allow the golfer to get loose without losing many strokes. You will find this course gives you the chance to let your “grip it and rip it” game open and still score well. The true test here comes on your approach shots as the greens are small and tend to run pretty fast. You’re not putting on linoleum but you are not on a shag carpet either. Where MacKenzie makes its mark is the reading of these speedy greens and playing to the proper pin placement. Course management is essential in setting yourself up for scoring opportunities. There is a great deal of open space on this course so there is minimal trouble with trees (which has been my biggest problem). The MacKenzie course gives every golfer the opportunity to face whatever challenge they feel up to facing and utilize every club and shot in their arsenal.
The MacKenzie course is a course that is suitable for the beginning golfer and the scratch golfer alike. Whether you are young or old; male or female; a serious golfer or just out for some fun with your friends, you will find this course enjoyable and a very good challenge.