LAKE CHABOT GOLF COURSE
Bay Area Bargain for Spring!

A favorite of local golfers since 1923, Lake Chabot Golf Course is situated in the Oakland Hills with stunning panoramic views of the city of Oakland, the Bay Bridge and the Lake Chabot area. On a wonderful clear day, you can see several other cities, landmarks and bridges. It's beautiful, it's quiet, and it has lots of wildlife and ample sunlight. The company has recently completed extensive course and property improvements that have taken it to another level. Thanks to the incredibly diligent and efficient sheparding of Steve Harker and Touchstone Golf Services, the course reopened on April 7, 2007.

Who doesn't know about the great par 6, 18th hole at Chabot Golf Course — 673 yards and the most unforgettable challenge in the Bay Area. As long as I can remember, the 18th hole at Chabot has always been one of my most memorable moments. After all these years, I still look forward to my first par at 18! How many of you would admit that?

San Leandro's own Pat Hurst and Tony Lema played a lot of their early golf at Lake Chabot so I thought I would visit its new incarnation. In thinking about its revival, some years ago I was fortunate enough to play in a pro-am which the incomparable Gloria Armstrong and her crew put together. I was lucky enough to finally meet Pat Hurst, along with Gloria Armstrong and other legends in women's golf. It was such a pleasure just to be in the presence of players who forged the way for women's professional golf. I was teamed with Patty Lopez, the pro from Monarch Bay. I don't know how I helped but we placed in that tournament and, amazingly, the 18th hole was no challenge for them! I was in awe all day long!

When Lake Chabot closed some time ago, many regulars held their collective breath over what might happen. I was equally saddened because early in my own golf experience I often played the incredibly well-kept secret 9-hole course up behind the clubhouse to hone what few skills I had. The gossip ranged from new housing to private course to closing indefinitely. But lo and behold, the City's Office of Parks & and Recreation wisely decided to restore the course for the thousands of residents and their children who love the game and all it has to offer. According to Audree V. Jones-Taylor, the director of Parks and Recreation parks and recreation for Oakland, "Golf course and facility improvements [are] complemented by the addition of golf instructional programs and playing opportunities that make golf affordable, accessible, enjoyable and convenient for players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including juniors, women, seniors and inner-city youth." That just about says it all.

All the enhancements dreamed about through the years, including more fertilization and improved irrigation, landscaping and turf conditioning on a constant basis, as well as sorely needed cart path improvements, have vastly improved the playing experience. Something as simple as cart paths without potholes can improve any course.

Golf course amenities always include a clubhouse, the last bastion of comfort for the golfer who vows to come back another day. It's the traditional 19th hole, a place to restore our egos and try to figure out just what went wrong. If you're an average golfer like me, you know exactly what I mean. And if you have played Lake Chabot the last few years, you often found yourself leaving the clubhouse and going down the hill to soothe those scorecard woes. Well, the 19th hole and all its amenities are also back at Chabot.

In addition to golf course improvements, the revitalization project included the remodeling of the historic Spanish-style clubhouse, adding all new carpeting, furnishings, paint and improved interior design. Food and beverage service has also been enhanced through renovations to the snack bar, renamed the Chabot Café, which features a new menu, comfortable seating and expanded banquet and catering capabilities. Adding to the fresh new presentation of the course, a friendly new staff composed of experienced golf, operations, maintenance, food and beverage, and customer-service professionals have been recruited to provide outstanding service at every turn. Check it out for special events as well as business meetings, golf tournaments, wedding receptions and fundraisers.

As far as spring bargains for this course, the good news is that the green and cart fees remained the same, which maintains Lake Chabot Golf Course as one of the better golf values in the Bay Area.

Golf Fees Seniors 60 and older: $17,
residents and nonresidents, Monday-Friday, all day. Carts: $13 per golfer,
$8 senior and twilight cart fee — spring special.

Monday-Friday, $22, residents;
$26, nonresidents.

11450 Golf Links Road, Oakland;
phone (510-351-5812)
or go to www.lakechabotgolf.com.