Reno Golf: The top 5 courses to challenge any duffer

With 25 major golf courses within an hour's drive of the Reno area, there's certainly no shortage of world-class links for avid golfers. While every course has something special to offer, here's a look at five that have consistently made local lists as the best around.

Edgewood Tahoe

This scenic golf course is a fair test of golfers of all ability levels. Golf Digest calls it one of "America's Top Golf Courses;” its rich past and present includes hosting the U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Public Links Championship, and the annual Celebrity Golf Championship, featuring big names in sports and entertainment. The19th hole, Brooks Golf Bar & Deck, is one of Golf Digest’s 50 best 19th holes in America.

• Course Designer: George Fazio

• 18 holes; 72 par; multiple tees; yardage, 5567 to 7445; slope, 136 to 144; ratings, 71.3- 75.5.

• Weekday (Mon – Fri) $140 - $220; Weekend (Fri – Sun) $160 - $235; Twilight Weekday, $100 - $160; Twilight weekend, $120- $180

• Rentals, restaurant/bar/practice facilities

• Lake Parkway, Stateline, Nev., (775) 588-3566



Resort at Squaw Creek Championship Course

Surrounded by Sierra peaks at the base of Squaw Valley USA, this links-style course offers a challenging field of play. By preserving natural wetlands and wildlife habitat, it is recognized as a Certified Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International year after year.

• Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

• 18 holes; 71 par; three tees; yardage 5097 to 6931; slope, 132 to 143; ratings, 69.0 to 72.9.

• Sun – Thurs, $90 - $100; Fri & Sat, $100 - $115; Twilight, $60

• Rentals, lessons, restaurant/bar

• 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, Calif., (800) 403-4434



Championship Course

After the $13-million renovation in 2003/2004, this course was named one of Nevada’s top ten best by Golf Digest. Offering tightly cut fairways bordered by towering pines, it demands accuracy and distance. Face bunkered greens and water hazards on nearly every hole.

• Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

• 18 holes; 72 par; multiple tees; yardage, 5218 to 7106; slope, 129 to 144; ratings, 69.7-74.1

• Weekdays & Weekends, $164 - $174; Twilight, $99.

• Incline Village residents and guests receive special rates; play both courses for $199.

• Driving range, rentals, restaurant/bar, bar carts, practice facilities, golf shop

• 955 Fairway Blvd., Incline Village, Nev., (866) 925-4653



Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Minutes from South Shore casinos, this is Lake Tahoe's best championship golf value. The spectacular 18-hole course challenges golfers of all levels. Rates vary for walking or driving; walk the back 9 for just $25. Take advantage of the practice facilities and driving range.

• Course Designer: Larry Mancour

• 18 holes; 71 par; multiple tees; yardage, 6160 to 6741; slope, 116 to 126; ratings, 68.8 -70.8

• Riding $80, walking, $55; Twilight riding, $60, walking, $45.

• Driving range, rentals, lessons, restaurant/bar, practice facilities.

• 2500 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., (530) 577-0788



Old Brockway

A Lake Tahoe golf tradition, it is the site of the first Bing Crosby Golf Tournament in 1935. Built by Harry Comstock and Scottish architect John Duncan Dunn, the course offers 3,400 yards of quality golfing, including two par-5 holes. Tight fairways and postage stamp greens are reminiscent of bygone golf eras. Family-owned, and through organic management practices, it was the first 9-hole golf course to become an Audubon cooperative sanctuary.

• Course Designer: John Duncan Dunn

• 9 holes; 72 par; yardage, 349 to 414; slope, 113 to 125; ratings, 66.9 to 69.8.

• 9 holes, $40; 18 holes, $68. Twilight, $30. Carts extra. 9 holes, $17; 18 holes, $26.

• Driving range, restaurant/bar.

• 7900 N. Lake Blvd., King's Beach, Calif., (530) 546-9909