The East Course at Blue Rock Springs Golf Club is the newer of two 18-hole layouts at this Vallejo municipal facility. Designed by Robert Muir Graves, the East course opened in 1993 and is the newer of the layouts with sweeping views of the North Bay and Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County. The companion West Course, originally laid out by Joe Mortara Sr. and Jack Fleming, dates to 1941, giving the property a span of more than 80 years of golf history. The facility is managed by KemperSports.

On the course

The East routing plays through hilly terrain in the foothills above Vallejo. From the blue tees the course measures 6,162 yards with a rating of 70.0 and a slope of 127 , numbers that understate the difficulty because the par-70 layout plays longer than the yardage suggests due to elevation change and persistent wind off San Pablo Bay. With several elevation changes and greens protected by sand bunkers, the East course can be challenging. Fairways are generally wider than on the older West Course but with fewer mature trees, exposing tee shots to the breeze.

Who it suits

The signature stretch begins at the fifth, the No. 1 handicap hole. The number 1 handicap hole is actually a fairly short par-5, the 488-yard fifth, but don't let the yardage fool you into a false sense of security. Going for it in two certainly carries some risk with the fairway narrowing as you get closer to the green. The most difficult part of the hole is the kidney shape green with severe sloping from front right to back left, making two putts a challenge.

Down the stretch are some tough par 4s and a tricky 167-yard par-3 16th where wind and elevation change factor heavily.

The East suits players who enjoy a shotmaker's test on uneven ground and don't mind walking hills. Beginners and seniors looking for a flatter, more forgiving round will likely prefer the West. On site amenities include a driving range, short-game area, putting green, pro shop, and Cafe Rock in the clubhouse.

Architect: Robert Muir Graves · Opened: 1993