(COPPEROPOLIS, Calif.) – Saddle Creek Resort – the gated, 900-acre Castle & Cooke community located in the scenic foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains – has been named to Golfweek’s prestigious list of "America’s Best Residential Golf Courses" for 2008, marking the fourth-straight year the Carter Morrish-designed course has appeared in the rankings.
In selecting Saddle Creek, Golfweek cited the course’s relationship to the overall community plan, the variety, conditioning and playability of the layout, and "how pleasing and interesting the course is as an experience."
The residential ratings are derived directly from Golfweek’s annual list of America’s Best Courses, published each March since 1997.America’s Best Golf Courses are ranked by more than 350 raters throughout the country, who judge on the basis of 10 evaluation criteria. Rankings are calculated using a statistically rigorous process.
"To be recognized by Golfweek in such a competitive category is an honor for our staff, residents, members and resort guests," says general manager Bill Troyanoski. "The architectural integrity of Saddle Creek’s residential component actually adds to the overall golf experience."
Adds long-time head professional Chris Bitticks, "Saddle Creek is the ideal blend of strategy, challenge and enjoyment. It hosts the storied Northern California Open featuring the state’s best players, but also hosts thousands of resort and member rounds, annually. It is this balance, in addition to the harmony between the golf course and residential components, that we believe appeals toGolfweek raters."
Situated in the rolling foothills of the Central Sierra region, golfers are afforded stunning vistas of the towering Sierra Mountains to the east, while an ethereal collection of shimmering lakes, native trees, indigenous grasses and 100 bunkers provides a challenging, thought-provoking experience from tee to green. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other.
Saddle Creek’s thoughtful design, challenging-yet-fair setup and sublime conditioning have led to numerous state-wide and national accolades including:
Golf Digest, "4 1/2 Stars"
Golf Digest, "Best New Upscale"
GOLF Magazine, "One of America’s Most Underrated Courses," 2007
Golfweek, "Best Residential Golf Course," 2007
Golfweek, "Best You Can Play" No. 8 in California
T+L Golf, "America’s Best 100 Courses for $100 or Less," 2002
Fairways & Greens, "Top Golf Experiences of the West"
ZAGAT Survey, "America’s Top Golf Courses," 2007/08
The course has lauded in golf and lifestyle publications from coast to coast, including Private Air, Calabasas, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune, San Jose Magazine, Gentry, Southland Golf and more. For more information about the Saddle Creek Resort and the community visit www.saddlecreek.com or call 800.611.7722
About Saddle Creek Resort – a Castle & Cooke Community
Saddle Creek Resort’s diverse and award-winning real estate blends resort and residential atmospheres. Custom homesites start just under $300,000 and residential opportunities range (home and lot) from the $600s to more than $1 million. Boasting views of small lakes and oak-covered hills, these picturesque homes serve as countryside retreats and make for the ideal escape for residents in the Bay Area, San Jose and Sacramento — all between 1.5 and two hours away.
Each neighborhood at Saddle Creek is carefully planned to complement and augment the golf course. Architectural design guidelines ensure each home is unique and blends with the overall residential theme. Recent real estate releases include: Quail Creek, estate and custom homesites with beautiful views of the nearby hillsides and valleys (from just under $300,000); Luxury Custom Homes, offered by Castle & Cooke and Vista Homes with elevations available upon request (from the low $1,000,000s); and Copper Glen – The Foothill Collection of Country Homes, featuring six plans and 19 elevations (from $650,000 to just over $800,000) with club membership incentives.
Residents and guests of Saddle Creek can also enjoy the beauty of the Quail trail with miles of hiking trails and mountain biking and nearby skiing, snowmobiling, and the nearby Lake Tulloch. Also of interest are the sports club, featuring a 3,000-square-foot facility offering yoga and aerobic classes, a large pool, kids’ wading pool and a Jacuzzi spa. The Lodge at Saddle Creek features a fully-stocked bar and an extensive wine list, stunning vistas and the nationally-recognized culinary operation at the acclaimed Copper Grille.
Castle & Cooke, in their goals of enhancing the overall communities where they have ongoing developments and operating facilities, are adding to the Saddle Creek Resort experience. Currently in development, Copperopolis Town Square will bring an exciting new dimension to Copperopolis with its traditional town square, specialty shops, boutique art galleries, restaurants and businesses that will create a retail-focused, mixed-use "country town" set alongside a beautiful creek and lake. Castle & Cooke recently introduced 15 luxury "Town Lofts," offering unique town-living overlooking the vibrant retail element of the town square. Each loft is individually designed to take advantage of sight lines and surrounding vistas. Units range from 1,000 to just over 2,000 square-feet. For more information about the Town Lofts and pricing, call 866.276.4235.
Saddle Creek Resort, as well as Coyote Creek Golf Club outside of San Jose, is owned and operated by Castle & Cooke, Inc. that, along with its affiliated companies, has operations in over 24 states. The company’s diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and ownership of public warehouses. The company’s real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, LakeSherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, and Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California. The company also owns two of the world’s highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana’i in Hawaii.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
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