A perfect way to start the new year is with something new (and something old).
The best of both worlds collide at Eagle Vines Golf Club in Napa, a course that would be worth the drive even if it weren't only 20 miles from Vacaville.
Eagle Vines took 10 of the best holes from Chardonnay's private Shakespeare Club, then hired Napa Valley product Johnny Miller to create eight new holes.
The result is a solid, if difficult, combination that will make you want to come back for more. Throw in the fact that the price has dropped almost $30 since the track opened last June, and you've got a course that you may want to play more than occasionally.
Make sure you bring the big dog. The course measures 6,309 yards from the white tees, and at least some of the holes are bound to be into the wind. But most of the fairways are generous, and the only real tree trouble comes early in the round.
Only one big oak is really in play on the first hole, but Miller put it ... or kept it ... in a place that makes the short par-5 a real test. The hole doglegs left around the tree, and most players won't be able to get past the oak on their drives, so decisions abound right off the bat.
Miller also put two bunkers in front of an undulating green, making par a good score on this opener.
The rest of the front side was taken from the Shakespeare track, and the holes are among the toughest on the course. No. 2 is the hardest, a 413-yard (from the white tees) dogleg-left par-4 with a narrow fairway, a creek left, a huge bunker right and three bunkers protecting a long but narrow green.
No. 3 is no cakewalk either, a dogleg-right par-5. The par-5, hard-par-4, par-5 start may have you looking at your scorecard in disgust, but there are respites.
The next five holes can all be had, although they present challenges. The best is No. 6, a short, downhill par-3 to a huge island green that remains the signature hole.
The front nine ends with another long par-4 that doglegs right around a bunker to a long but narrow green. Be happy with par.
The 10th is a Miller design, one of seven on the back side. The long, uphill par-4 doglegs around two more bunkers but is wide open off the tee.
The 11th and 12th are the last of the Shakespeare holes, and are two of the best you'll find anywhere.
No. 11 is a par-5 with water left off the tee and right at the green. The approach is guarded by water short and right, and bunkers left and long.
No. 12 is a long tough par-3 with water left and bunkers right.
The rest of the course is made up of Miller holes. The highlights include the 14th, a long par-4 with a creek just short of the green that forces players to choose between a layup and a long approach.
No. 16 is a par-5 that measures 610 yards from the back tees and plays into the prevailing wind.
And the finishing hole is a long par-4 with water right and a bunker left in front of one of the smallest greens on the course.
Positives abound here, including proximity and conditions. The fairways on the new holes have grown in since the opening, so the new holes mesh fairly well with the old.
There is good variety of up and down, left and right, with bunkers, water and other hazards. And while you need your A game most of the time, you can let it rip off most of the tees, and the fairways and greens offer generous landing areas.
The greens are huge, and the Shakespeare greens rival even Miller's in size and slope.
Players stayed away when the course opened, primarily because of the $95 weekday green fee. But that price has dropped all the way to $59, including a cart, range balls and a very helpful yardage book.
The $85 weekend rate is $20 less than when the course opened, but still prohibitive. But you do get what you pay for.
A new clubhouse should be done soon, which should make the facility even more attractive.
Directions - Take Interstate 80 west to Highway 12 north. Turn left on South Kelly Road.
Eagle Vines Golf Club
Napa
Yardage: 5,652 (Red) to 7,283 (Black)
White Tee Rating/Slope: 70.5/122
Fees: $59 Weekdays, $85 Weekends (with cart, range balls and yardage book)
Driving distance from Vacaville: 20 miles
Telphone: 257-4470
On the net: www.eaglevinesgolfclub.com