Rancho Solano Golf Course

Fairfield, California

Designed by Gary Roger Baird, Rancho Solano celebrated its Opening Day in March 1990. It is nestled in the hills of Fairfield and offers well-manicured fairways, large, tiered greens and challenging holes for every level of golfer.Water is a factor on holes 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the front nine and holes 11, 12 and 14 on the back nine. Despite being an open course, club selection is important, especially on the challenging par 3’s. Rancho Solano is known for having some of the largest greens on Northern California courses.Two of the most challenging holes are on the back nine. Hole 11 is a par 4, but club selection is important because a long drive could end up in the lake. A carefully placed second shot onto the green, which hugs the water’s edge, is not as easy as it looks. Sand traps exist on the backside of the green should a golfer decide to extend the margin of safety. The large green adds to the challenge of scoring a par.Hole 12 is a picturesque par 3. Another small lake guards the front of the green and sand traps protect the back of the green. All tee boxes require the golfer to hit over the lake; there is no room to bail out on the right and very little room to consider a shot to the left. Getting on in one is satisfying; scoring par remains a challenge because of another trademark ‘large, two-tiered’ green.Finishing your round with a birdie on the 18th hole is possible if you maneuver beyond the undulating fairway. This hole`s green provides one last challenge on Rancho Solano`s golf course.