I am a inactive member because I moved away from Sonoma county. When you resign, the club returns your entrance fee (which I believe is $200K currently) but only before they get someone to join and take your place. There is a special rule that prior to them reaching full membership, it takes 4 people to join before they’ll return 1 persons entrance fee. I’ve been waiting about 5 years and the return of my entrance fee is still far off. The problem is that there is not enough people in Sonoma county that can afford to join. The course is outstanding ( as you show here quite well with your pictures) and there is no shortage of people who would join if it were not for the steep fees. But, there is also quite a few people on a resignation list that are being held hostage waiting for a return of their hefty entrance fees. That is why it concerns me that they may turn away someone because they don’t have a reference or don’t like how they look. And the way things are going economically, should they go belly up, I have a lot of money to lose.

But that aside, I have some fond memories of this place. Jack Nicklaus designed the course and played it on opening day. I (and other members) got to walk the course with him as he played it. Picture yourself talking to one of the greatest legends in golf while he prepares to hit his next shot. And he was very hospitable. He would answer any question posed to him. He’d tell you what strategy you should use and why he designed a hole the way he did. It was a once in a lifetime treat.

As for the course, it wipes you out with all of the hilly landscape. Number 15, which you have a couple of pictures of on this page is a tremendous par 5 that has an enormous elevation drop. And 18 can be a bear when you’re trying to navigate around that lake.

The late Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame owned this land before he died. His wife sold it to the company that developed the course. It’s a beautiful piece of property. The local newspaper whined about the fact that only members would see that beautiful land. Actually that is not true. If you know someone who can get you on it, then you too can enjoy it. And I’ve entertained a lot of friends on this course.

Maybe Mayacama should do a bit of advertising, it was such an awesome experience and I’d hate to see it hurting for business. Do you go there often?