Carson City, Carson Valley swings into the Divine 9 golf season

Course improvements, packages, online accessibility and savings are springing up around the Carson City and Carson Valley’s Divine 9 Golf Courses.

Spring and summer golf excursions for individuals and groups to Nevada’s capital city and the High Sierra are convenient, fun and affordable with the co-op power of nine Carson City/Carson Valley golf courses and nine lodging properties.

Golfers will find a world of diversity with both high desert and open valley courses, featuring meandering rivers and creeks, sage-brush lined fairways, elevation changes, generous fairways – and tight ones, too, along with the spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada. As Ben Wright, the noted golf broadcaster who recently visited remarked, “…it would be shameful if you missed out on such a great area.”

Here’s what’s new at Divine 9 courses:

— Carson Valley gets a new back tee box on their 12th hole, as well as a widened fairway this year. Known for its family friendly atmosphere, it will once again be running junior camps and clinics for ladies and couples. The course has been named “Favorite Golf Course” for the past seven years by the area’s Record Courier newspaper.

— Dayton Valley is hosting the PGA Tour Qualifying event for the 17th consecutive year, in mid October the longest in the country, a relationship that makes the course a popular spot for tournaments. This spring marks the return of real estate sales to Dayton Valley. Visit www.DaytonValley.com.

— Eagle Valley East added nine tees on seven of their holes, making family play even more appealing. The course has plans to remodel the range and add a chipping area this summer. Eagle Valley West has a fresh new look with a new banquet facility and outside covered patio. The course additionally removed some sagebrush and underbrush to improve aesthetics and pace of play.

— Empire Ranch is celebrating its 13th anniversary and luckily for golfers, that represents savings with no rate increases for 2010 and new value-added packages. Staff additions include pro Shelley McGill. She’s a former member of the US women’s ski team and ripped freestyle moguls prior to being an instructor at Timarron Country Club near Dallas, Texas and Diamente Country Club in Hotsprings Village, Arkansas. McGill is hosting Ladies Clinics 10-11:30 a.m. the first three Fridays in May for just $25 per session, including lunch. She enjoys the newly expanded menu at Mallards (she recommends the French Dip) and the interactive new website platform offers online bookings for events and tee times.

Set against the scenic eastern slope of the Sierra, The Lakes Course at Genoa Lakes is a links style designed by John Harbottle and PGA Tour pro Peter Jacobsen. The Nor Cal PGA Junior Tour recently stopped at the Lakes Course with top high school players throughout the state competing.

The Resort Course at Genoa Lakes reversed its nines to feature a more subtle introduction to the course and a more challenging finish; it also helped with pace of play. It features a variety of elevation changes, visually tight fairways and numerous water hazards for a memorable challenge.

Silver Oak launched a new website, www.silveroakgolf.com, which features specials, events and online booking capabilities. A special birthday promotion offers free green fees to the player on their special day. A new fleet of golf carts has also been added.

Sunridge Golf Club has new owners, Wes Hull and John Heldman. Their combined 30 years in the industry harkens from been experience at Sunridge as well as Spyglass in Monterey and Somersett and Timilick in the Lake Tahoe area.

The Divine 9’s member lodging partners include Carson Valley Inn, Best Western Carson Station, Hampton Inn & Suites, The Plaza Hotel, Hardman House, Gold Dust West, Carson Nugget, Holiday Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott – all feature golf packages for individuals and groups.

To sample each of the Divine 9 courses, there’s the Divine 9 “Ticket To Paradise”. It includes golf at each courses for $245, a 55 percent savings. The pass is valid through December, 2010. Play any time from noon on Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays, with scheduled tee times available up to 72 hours in advance. The “Ticket To Paradise” is also transferable, making it a unique gift idea for birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

About the Divine 9 Courses
With a total of 70,000 yards 30 minutes from Reno and Lake Tahoe the Divine Nine offer year-round, affordable, scenic play for all skill levels. After playing a round of golf take time to enjoy what the Carson Valley has to offer such as, historic tours, Nevada-style gaming, and fine dining. To arrange a tee time or find out more about golf packages call (800) 638-2321 or go to the website, www.DivineNine.com.