Callippe Preserve opened on November 11, 2005 as the City of Pleasanton's municipal course, and it takes its name from the federally endangered callippe silverspot butterfly, whose native grassland habitat is protected in sanctuaries along holes 11 through 14. Brian Costello of JMP Golf Design Group routed the course through the Happy Valley hills south of downtown, and it earned quick acclaim: Golf Digest ranked it among America's ten best new public courses in 2006, and Golfweek later listed it among the nation's top 50 municipal courses.

On the course

The par-72 layout runs 6,748 yards from the black tees at a 72.4 rating and 131 slope, with five tee sets down to 4,788 yards. It plays as two distinct nines: the front covers gentler valley ground while the back climbs into the hills, adding elevation changes and views of Mount Diablo on the northern skyline. Happy Valley Creek threads the property and crosses the closing par 5 three times, demanding three placed shots on one of the East Bay's most strategic finishers, and 59 bunkers keep the shot-shaping honest.

Who it suits

Reviewers consistently praise the conditioning, noting smooth, medium-fast greens and healthy fairways, and green fees stay sensible with discounted rates for Pleasanton residents. The course is walkable, though the hilly back nine is a genuine workout, and its popularity means weekend pace can stretch, so a weekday morning is the sweet spot. Mid-handicappers get a fair, strategic test from the middle tees, while the 131 slope from the tips gives low handicaps plenty to manage.

The practice setup is among the better ones in the Tri-Valley: a driving range with more than 30 stations off grass and mats, open sunrise to sunset, plus two putting greens and a short-game area with chipping and practice bunkers. PGA professionals offer lessons and junior camps, and the clubhouse houses a golf shop and the Vista Restaurant. Choose Callippe if you want a modern, environmentally minded municipal course, an Audubon-certified sanctuary that plays like a daily-fee layout with real teeth from the back tees.

Architect: Brian Costello · Opened: 2005