AETNA SPRINGS' SIXTH (Courtesty of Larry Lambrect)
At the end of April, I was fortunate to get out to Aetna Springs in the northern Napa Valley for an afternoon of golf and a quick chat with Dick Rudolph, the course’s superintendent. I worked for a few months on the construction crew at Aetna in the fall of 2006 and I look back very fondly on this project partially because it was such a beautiful place to work but mostly because Dick Rudolph has to be one of the nicest people in all of golf. It was absolute pleasure working with him. Dick has done a great job getting the course in shape and Aetna is one of the prettiest places in the world to play nine holes. (video after the jump)
Another reason that I look back fondly on Aetna Springs is that I am very proud of the final product. Golf has been played on this ground since the late 19th century. Tom Doak was brought in to spruce up the nine holer in anticipation of it being included within a larger club with another eighteen hole course down the road. The decision on whether that project can proceed may come later this week. Currently, Aetna Springs is a fun little course that plays through amazing old oaks and over a plethora of creeks. There are some very good holes on the property.
The new clubhouse is small and understated. It fits into the hillside in an unobtrusive manner, just a stones throw from the old Aetna Springs Resort. The resort is now in unfortunate if picturesque disrepair and features some great historic buildings, one of which was reputedly designed by Bernard Maybeck, architect of the Palace of the Fine Arts in San Francisco. I am frequently amazed at all of the cool things that we can miss merely by staying on on the beaten path. Aetna Springs is one of those places, and I highly recommend going out of your way to try and check it out.
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