Petaluma Golf & Country Club

Established in 1922, it occupies an elevated site overlooking the Petaluma Valley and ranks among the county's oldest golf facilities, known for its tight, tree-lined fairways, small greens, and mature oaks.

Course History

Petaluma Golf & Country Club officially opened on September 24, 1922, founded by a group of local business leaders. One hundred acres of land were donated by G.P. McNear, who served as the club's first Board of Directors president. The historic clubhouse was designed by noted local architect Brainard Jones, whose homes can be found throughout west Petaluma.

The original nine holes were redesigned during the Great Depression and have seen various enhancements over the decades, including a renovation by golf architect Gary Baird in 1983. More than a century after its founding, it endures as a family-oriented private club in Sonoma County.

The Design & Architecture

The nine-hole layout plays to a par of 35 over roughly 2,815 yards from the longest tees. Routed across rolling, elevated terrain, the course is defined by tight fairways framed by mature oak trees, small and well-protected greens, and panoramic views of the surrounding wine-country countryside. The 1983 renovation credited to Gary Baird refined a routing whose origins trace back to the club's 1920s beginnings.

Playing the Course

Accuracy off the tee is rewarded here more than raw length: the narrow, tree-lined corridors and compact greens place a premium on precise iron play and a sharp short game. From the men's tees the course carries a rating of 33.5 and a slope of 113. On-site practice facilities include a driving range, putting green and practice bunker, and a golf academy supports players looking to sharpen their games.

Know Before You Go

• Private club - access is generally limited to members and their guests.

• Nine-hole layout, par 35, playing about 2,815 yards from the back tees.

• Located at 1500 Country Club Dr, Petaluma, CA 94952; phone (707) 762-7041.

• Amenities include a driving range, practice facilities, a golf academy, and an outdoor swimming pool.