Sonoma Wineries:
Northwood
Golf Course
Northwood Golf Course just west of Guerneville was designed in 1928 by the Scottish architect Alister MacKenzie, who became famous for Augusta National, Cypress Point and other legendary golf courses. Continuously since the twenties, Northwood has hosted politicians, world leaders and corporate magnates from the excusive nearby Bohemian Club camp, and mere mortal golfers, too. Hundreds of towering redwoods and firs stand on the fairways in misty magnificence above the river, impervious to golf balls bouncing off their trunks, their long arms drooping over small greens well guarded by mounds and bunkers.
A teenaged caddy at Northwood in the 1940s, Rich Quistgard recalls carrying Bing Crosby’s golf bag. Not a bad player, Crosby asked for his “niblick” (today’s nine-iron); his “mashie niblick” (a seven iron) and his “spoon” (a three-wood). In those days, the usual tip for a caddy was $1.25. When called away by a phone call after only three holes, the gracious Crosby handed the wide-eyed Quistgard a twenty dollar bill.
Another big tipper was the American baritone, John Charles Thomas, who walked the Northwood fairways while singing arias from “La Traviata”.
Continue your Break from Wine Tasting with a Side-Trip to Armstrong Grove State Reserve »
The article on this page is adapted from the book, Backroads of the California Wine Country by Karen Misuraca (www.karenmisuraca.com), published by Voyageur Press.
Photo Credit: The pictures on this page are by Lisa Moore. www.studioponderosa.com