Bennett Valley Golf Course

Bennett Valley Golf Course is an 18-hole public, municipal course owned by the City of Santa Rosa in the heart of California's Sonoma County wine country. Opened in 1969 at the base of Bennett Peak, the par-72 layout is threaded by Matanzas Creek and framed by native oak, redwood, and pine, giving it a mature, tree-lined character that appeals to golfers of every ability. Affordable green fees, a full practice facility, and an on-site restaurant have made it one of the busiest and best-loved public courses in the North Bay.

Quick Facts

Course History

Bennett Valley Golf Course opened in 1969 as the City of Santa Rosa's municipal golf facility, built on gently rolling ground at the base of Bennett Peak in the valley that shares its name. Over more than half a century it has grown into a community institution, hosting generations of local golfers, junior programs, and city and club tournaments while remaining an accessible, everyday course rather than an exclusive club.

The course continues to operate as a City of Santa Rosa asset under professional management, with ongoing investment in the clubhouse and the on-site Iron & Vine restaurant. It remains fully open for daily public play, tee-time bookings, events, and weddings.

The Design & Architecture

Credited to architect Ben Harmon, the par-72 design plays to 6,532 yards from the Blue tees and is defined by tight, tree-lined fairways where tall redwoods and mature oaks put a premium on accuracy off the tee. Matanzas Creek meanders through the property and comes into play on several holes, adding a natural hazard to the strategic, scenic layout. Five sets of tees ranging from 4,429 to 6,532 yards let the course flex for beginners, seniors, and low-handicap players alike.

Signature Holes

The round opens with a par-5 1st of 482 yards from the Blue tees — a genuine scoring chance that regulars treat as a birdie hole, and a gentle handshake before the tree-lined corridors tighten. The front nine, which carries most of the property's elevation change, also serves up the toughest two-shotter on that side in the 444-yard par-4 2nd and the longest of the four one-shotters at the 208-yard par-3 8th.

The flatter back nine begins with the 493-yard par-5 10th, the longest hole on the course's inward half, and its sternest test comes late at the 428-yard par-4 17th before the 477-yard par-5 18th offers one last chance to close with a red number. Throughout, Matanzas Creek winds through the layout and mature oaks and redwoods pinch the driving lines, so position off the tee matters more than raw power.

Playing the Course

From the Blue tees the course carries a rating of 71.1 and a slope of 118, presenting a fair but engaging test that rewards positioning over raw length. The generally walkable terrain, mature tree canopy, and creek crossings make for a pleasant, shaded round, and players consistently praise the value, friendly staff, and solid conditioning. A full practice facility with a driving range (natural grass tees and artificial mats) and a large putting green lets golfers warm up before heading out, and the Iron & Vine restaurant provides a place to gather afterward.

Know Before You Go

• Public municipal course; tee times can be booked online at bennettvalleygolf.com or by phone at (707) 528-3673.

• Five sets of tees ranging from 4,429 to 6,532 yards accommodate all skill levels.

• Practice facilities include a driving range with natural grass tees and artificial mats plus a large putting green.

• The on-site Iron & Vine restaurant offers dining, and the facility hosts events and weddings.

• Located at 3330 Yulupa Avenue in southeast Santa Rosa, at the base of Bennett Peak in Sonoma County.