Mare Island Golf Club
Vallejo, California
About Mare Island Golf Club
Mare Island Golf Club traces its origins to 1892, when the first holes were laid out for officers stationed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and Golf Digest, identify it as the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River. The course occupies roughly 170 acres on the southern end of Mare Island, a peninsula in Vallejo bordered by San Pablo Bay and the Napa River.
On the course
For most of its life the course operated as a nine-hole layout serving the naval base. After the shipyard closed in 1996, jurisdiction passed to the city of Vallejo, which brought in Pacific Rim architect Robin Nelson to add a second nine. The new holes opened in 2000, returning Mare Island to a full 18-hole, par-70 routing measuring about 6,150 yards from the back tees. The result is a course of two distinct characters: the original nine plays tight and traditional, with tree-lined fairways and small greens, while Nelson's nine takes a links-style approach with rolling ground, wider fairways, and larger green complexes.
Who it suits
The property's military past is still visible on the ground. Ten former ammunition bunkers are scattered through the course — one houses the maintenance facility and another serves as the turn shack. The clubhouse occupies Building 658, a 1936 WPA-era structure that once served as a Navy time-signal and radio monitoring station and was among the buildings on the West Coast to receive word of the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941.
The course suits golfers drawn to history, bay views, and a walkable mid-length layout rather than length or championship conditioning. The course closed in February 2019 after the operator fell behind on taxes, and the 170-acre site was sold to a developer later that year.
Architect: Robin Nelson · Opened: 1892
Course Details
- 18 Holes
- Par 71
- 6,100 Yards
- Practice Facilities: Driving range · Practice green · Pro shop
- Phone: (707) 562-4653
Notable Facts About Mare Island Golf Club
- Development of the Mare Island Golf Club began in 1892, making it the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. It was built for the naval base at Mare Island, which closed in 1996 before jurisdiction transferred to the city of Vallejo.
- In the year 2000, nine new holes were re-introduced by Robin Nelson, giving the course two distinct layouts: a traditional tree-lined front nine and a links-style back nine with rolling hills and larger greens.
- As a reminder of its military days, there are ten ammunition bunkers scattered throughout the golf course property; one houses the maintenance facility, and a second serves as the turn shack.
Book Tee Times at Mare Island Golf Club
Mare Island Golf Club is an 18-hole par-71 public golf course in Vallejo, California. Check the live board above for current availability and rates. Compare live rates and book online through Golf The Bay.
More Golf Courses in Vallejo
- Blue Rock Springs Golf Club (East) – 18 holes, par 70, 6,162 yds
- Blue Rock Springs Golf Club (West) – 36 holes, par 71, 6,014 yds
- Hiddenbrooke Golf Club – 18 holes, par 72, 6,815 yds
More Golf Courses in North Bay
- Blue Rock Springs Golf Club (East) – Vallejo, 18 holes, par 70, 6,162 yds
- Blue Rock Springs Golf Club (West) – Vallejo, 36 holes, par 71, 6,014 yds
- Crystal Springs Golf Course – Burlingame, 18 holes, par 72, 6,634 yds
- Hiddenbrooke Golf Club – Vallejo, 18 holes, par 72, 6,815 yds
- Indian Valley Golf Club – Novato, 18 holes, par 72, 6,374 yds
- McInnis Park Golf Center – San Rafael, 18 holes, par 72, 6,014 yds
- Mill Valley Golf Course – Mill Valley, 9 holes, par 28, 1,519 yds
- Northwood Golf Club – Monte Rio, 9 holes, par 36, 2,893 yds