Diablo Was Grande...Sevillano Is Next...

Blue skies greet us this Saturday morning in Corning, CA.  The temperature is set to heat up.  Yeah to that!

When we left you in the previous blog, we were heading off to play the Troon associated 'Diablo Grande' Golf and Country Club that is nestled in the green hills immediately east of Patterson, CA.  It was a demanding day on the links course but one not to forget.

WEB LINK:   Diablo Grande

The secured entrance into Diablo Grande.

Hector and I were greeted at the secure gates to the private facility where we were issued a day pass.  The 'Ranch Golf Course' is surrounded by houses and the 'Legends Course' - our choice for play - is surrounded by green hills.  This is a beautiful area.

After hitting a few practice balls, we were greeted by the statue of Gene Sarazen - the old time golf pro and co-designer of the 'Legends Course' - on our way to the starting hole.

This links style course is demanding.  There is trouble every which way.  The key to playing well is to keep one's golf ball in the short grass and away from the numerous fairway bunkers and natural rough.

The opening hole.

Looking back at the first class club house.

Hector was in full form for play and he did well on the front nine.  I, on the other hand, had more trouble finding my swing rhythm, for the first few holes....but I did smarten up and equaled Hector's score on the back nine.  

Stunning rolling hills surounded us and several vineyards could be seen too.

Hector found himself in some easy rough.  He played this shot brilliantly.

We both found our balls in the rough, near the water to the right, but we're able to land the green.  A demanding Par 5 hole.

The greens on this Legends course are fantastic.  They read true.  Find the line and your ball will track towards the hole.  In our case, we felt the greens keepers had placed smaller than normal cups because our putts would often rim the cup and not fall in.  We'll have to check into that!!!  LOL

When we started the round, it was breezy and a bit cool....but the wind breakers did come off part way into play.

We had a good day on the course.....and marveled on the fact that we did get to find this gem and that we did get to play it.  And.....we plan to play it again in the years going forward.

We're not certain on the reason 'behind' this statue but she greets everyone who arrives at this gated and private resort.  This photo was taken on our way out.

While we were at golf, Jeanette and Diane toured the area around the small city of Patterson, CA.  They enjoyed a good day of browsing and came home with some fresh strawberries too. Amazon.com has one of its ginormous warehouses here.

Diane in front of the Museum in Patterson

Jeanette and Diane found one of several almond patches that make this area famous.

Almonds are grown here and there are numerous almond specialty stores in every town and small city.

Chico got to spend the day out with Diane and Jeanette.

The strawberries that we got to enjoy.....

Our planned route yesterday (Friday) was to head further north, on I-5, to northern California.  We had set our sights on the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, CA, but, while working the radios between our rigs while driving, we opted to stop and check out the Rolling Hills Casino and RV Park in Corning; just south from Red Bluff and Redding.

 Rain greeted our Friday morning.....

Sacramento

Several heavy downpours greeted us on our drive north.  We no longer have any desert dust and sand on our truck  and 5th wheel.

Rolling in to Rolling Hills Resort.

Without reservations, we got one of the very last spots available in the RV Park.  Yea to that!  Not only that, we discovered another golf course of note.  Fueling our desire to play it, Jeanette and Diane chose to take a walk and, unknown to us, booked a 10:00 am tee off for today (Saturday).  While they were at the clubhouse, I was on the telephone to the clubhouse and, as it turned out, I booked an 11:00 am tee off.....!  Once back at our site, Diane and Jeanette told us about booking the golf and that's when the laughter began.  I called back to cancel the 11:00 am tee time in favour of the 10:00 am time.  So.....Hector and I will be playing the Sevillano Links At Rolling Hills, CA.

For the golfing enthusiast....or the curious....have a look at the Sevillano WEB site.  A John Daly Signature course, it offers some incredibly challenging golf holes.....!  And, we're up to the challenge.

WEB SITE:     Sevillano Links | Northern California Golf Resort | Rolling Hills Casino 

The clubhouse at Sevillano

Jeanette captured this photo of Diane looking out on the links golf course.

Although not in our original plans - but with golf now on the agenda - we have opted to stay two nights here before continuing our drive into Oregon tomorrow (Sunday).

These last minute RV plans have sure wielded some pleasantly unplanned golf for Hector and I.  What a gift that is!  On the other hand, Jeanette and Diane (non-golfers) have the opportunities to tour the areas while Hector and I play our round.  It is win-win!  The ladies were quick to book us our golf so we know they had their own agenda!

Oh, yes, we had often heard from RVers who've traveled through here that the Rolling Hills Casino buffet is a must have.  Well, we did just that, last evening.  The theme was 'sea food'.  We did partake in the food fare. No regrets whatsoever!  The buffet was as good as folks made it out to be.

All right!  On with our day.

Thanks for dropping by.