Edgewood Tahoe

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course has hosted several USGA championships, but today it is best known for providing stunning views for TV and entertaining shots by stars in the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. (Tune in this year July 17-22.) Situated on the Nevada side of the South Lake Tahoe border with California, it finishes with three unforgettable holes on the lake’s edge. Any of the high-rolling celebrities who enter will tell you Edgewood Tahoe is the biggest star of their tournament.

Course

Everyone loves the par-3 17^th that runs alongside the lake, 107 yards to carry the bunker in front of the green. But Edgewood has long intimidated the average woman player, measuring 5,567 yards from the forward pine cones with a whopping 136 slope. Two par 5’s in particular frustrate the short hitter – the 469-yard third hole, capped by an approach to an elevated green, and the gorgeous 451-yard 16^th, which is downhill but often plays into the prevailing wind off the lake. Ouch!

Even with pristine playing conditions that seem almost miraculous considering the course gets snow as late as June, long still feels long. But, 2011 brings some forward thinking at old Edgewood, which has moved many of the forward tees up, on the par 5s, yes, but even some par 3s (each of which is unique and memorable). A good estimate for the length now: 5,100 yards. And the altitude helps.

Ambiance

From the arrival at the bag drop to a lakeside parking lot where you might want to linger after the 19^th hole, Edgewood offers everything a woman golfer could want: Friendly staff, a pro shop that seems to have nearly as many women’s clothes as men’s, a wonderful 19^th hole on the deck, generally beautiful weather and always beautiful scenery -- and, what a concept, two stalls in the on-course rest rooms! The course is very walkable – you could even call ahead for a caddie – and then you’d be justified in ordering the signature milk shake at the turn.

Value

Edgewood’s rates range from $140 on an early season weekday to $240 peak season weekend, but twilight rates drop $50-70. These include range balls, GPS-loaded carts, great service and an obviously carefully maintained course, and seem fair for a destination course. The way to go, however, is to click on the course “stay and play” button at EdgewoodTahoe.com for a package that includes a night at one of the South Shore hotels and a round of golf; these were starting at $235 a person in June.

Woman appeal

Plans are in the works for lodging on an adjacent property the developers have purchased, and that will just take Edgewood over the moon in its overall golfer appeal. It’s already got GottaGoGolf’s Fab for Women rating.

This article first appeared in the July 2011 edition of GottaGoGolf Magazine.