Wild Wings Golf Club opened in 2005 on roughly 82 acres of Yolo County farmland five miles west of Woodland. The course was designed by Todd Eckenrode, the founder of Origins Golf Design, and is one of his earlier solo routings in Northern California. After ownership and operational changes, the club reopened on May 1, 2009 and has operated as a daily-fee public facility ever since under the Wild Wings County Service Area.

On the course

The routing is an unusual full-length nine: 3,157 yards from the back tees to a par of 36, with an uncommon mix of three par 3s, three par 4s, and three par 5s rather than the standard 4-4-1 configuration. Each green carries two pin positions, so players going around twice for 18 holes face different targets on the second loop, producing a composite par of 72 at 6,314 yards. Bentgrass greens and wide, undulating Bermuda fairways sit on largely open Central Valley terrain, with greenside bunkering on every hole and water in play across roughly 13 lakes and ponds spread through the property.

Who it suits

Because trees are sparse and fairways are generous, the course rewards aggressive driving, but the bunkered greens and frequent water carries put a premium on approach play and putting. The greens have been recognized locally, including "Best Greens in the Valley" from the Sacramento Bee in 2006 and 2007 and repeated "Best Golf Course in Yolo County" honors from the Woodland Daily Democrat. With its modest yardage, walkable layout, and two-pin format, Wild Wings suits casual players, beginners working toward a full 18, and Sacramento-area golfers looking for a quick, low-key round within 20 minutes of downtown.

Architect: Todd Eckenrode · Opened: 2005