Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw combine to create one of the most revered course design teams in the world today. They are known for blending their designs into the natural surroundings that they are given to work with. There is no better representation of this philosophy than Clear Creek Tahoe located in Carson City, Nevada. Built in 2009, Clear Creek Tahoe is basically a state park which happens to contain a world-class golf course.

For Wisconsinites who have made it to Coore/Crenshaw’s latest design at Sand Valley Golf Resort, imagine that layout dropped into the middle of a national forest and you will get a good sense of what Crear Creek is like. Instead of the massive sand dunes lining the fairways of Sand Valley, imagine large pine trees staring at you along the way. Playing Creek Creak Tahoe is akin to taking a driving tour of a national park, only you get to stop and play an amazing collection of golf holes at the same time.

There are many features that cannot be ignored: Giant boulders and rock outcroppings pop up without warning. The 3rd hole has a 200 foot drop from the tee shot to the fairway on an amazing dogleg right hole. And there are a couple of tee shots where you are hitting over the road that brings you into the course. If you like large greens with tons of slope, you will love Clear Creek Tahoe.