Imagine waking up every morning to a perfect summer day in a hidden gem in the middle of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Now factor in a world championship, and an out-of-this-world 18-hole golf course designed by two of the greatest golf designers. Let’s continue this fairytale story and add a lake house that sits on a private beach, with its own pier and floating dock located on the breathtaking South Lake Tahoe Shore.
Now pinch yourself. Clear Creek is that dream come to life.
Although it is just a 40 minute drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, you will feel as though you are hundreds of miles from any other civilization the moment you set foot on the stunning grounds of Clear Creek. Its 1,576 acres are surrounded by six million acres that make up the largest national forest in the lower 48 states.
Clear Creek’s golf course was designed by two-time Masters winner Ben Crenshaw and noted course designer Bill Coore, whose collaborations have received numerous accolades, including the #1 spot on GolfWeek’s “Top 100 Modern Golf Courses” in 2016 for their work on Sand Hills Golf Club. The team, also responsible for Bandon Trails, Kapalua, Friar’s Head, Hidden Creek, and the restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, have infused their newest course with the perfect balance of nature and challenging play using the strategy of using the terrain’s natural attributes to dictate the design and contour of the course. The environmentally conscious among golfers will be pleased that little earth was disturbed as the course was laid out amongst the land weaving along the massive pine trees that separate each hole.
The Par 3 2nd hole is 178 yards of uphill drives with bunkers on both sides
“Our task at Clear Creek Tahoe was to create an enjoyable variety of holes on this unique piece of property,” explains Crenshaw. “This site fits perfectly with our philosophy of creating golf that feels natural, and not contrived.”
The par 71 course stretches out to just over 7,000 yards from the furthest set of tees. The first hole is a manageable 515 yard par 5 that might lure you into believing that you are going to set the course record. However, don’t be fooled. The course will quickly demand your full attention to post a solid round. The signature par 4, 3rd hole is absolutely shocking, putting the player on top of the world when standing on a tee box sitting over 200 feet above the green located 508 yards away. When hitting your tee shot, the ball is seemingly in the air forever due to the dramatic elevation change. Each hole at Clear Creek is a once-in-a-lifetime event, enhanced by the immaculate conditions, undulating fairways, and strategically placed bunkers including some pot bunkers, a pond, waste areas, and perfectly manicured quick and tricky putting greens. While navigating your way through the course, there are many points where you will be distracted with extraordinary panorama views of the Sierra Mountains. Take advantage of the opportunity to pause, take a deep breath, and just take in all of the surrounding beauty.
“Our task at Clear Creek Tahoe was to create an enjoyable variety of holes on this unique piece of property. This site fits perfectly with our philosophy of creating golf that feels natural, and not contrived.”
Holes like the 7th landed Clear Creek on Golfweek’s Top 100 Modern Courses in America list
The Clubhouse Campus at Clear Creek is set to break ground soon. The 24,000-square-foot complex will include locker rooms, dining options featuring a seasonal and locally sourced menu offered by Chef Adriana Hyman, a gym, spa and wellness facility as well as a saline lap pool, hot tub, and bocce ball courts. In addition, a separate Family Recreational Center is in the works. This will include tennis courts as well as a family pool. There are also three hiking trails on property, two of which offer mountain bike access.
With everything Clear Creek has to offer, on the fairway and off, it will be hard to leave the property. That is, until you hear about the Twin Pines Lake House just a short drive away located on South Lake Tahoe. The historic property was built in 1936 by famed California architect Julia Morgan, who conceived Hearst Castle and countless other Bay Area landmarks. The house, exclusively available to Clear Creek members, is virtually in its original condition aside from some slight reconditioning, and set on 180 feet of shoreline leading to one of Lake Tahoe’s longest, most pristine beaches. In other words, it is the perfect setting for endless late summer and early fall days filled with paddle boarding, canoeing, boating, swimming or just unwinding on a lounge chair in the sand to take in the area’s majestic views.
Clear Creek was designed by Bill Coore and two-time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw
One big question for sporty types remains: Is Twin Pines a better lake house or ski lodge? “Both” is the correct answer, for when the temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, Twin Pines is transformed into the ideal cozy ski lodge. With a gondola ride up to nationally renowned ski area Heavenly Mountain just 4 blocks from Twin Pines driveway; it is the perfect home base for a day’s adventures on the mountain. Members keep their skis and boards at the house, get geared up and will be shuttled to the mountain. At the end of your day, you will return to the warm house, with the fireplace crackling and warm drinks waiting, the perfect end to a great day on Heavenly Mountain.
In addition to custom houses, there will be a total of 98 single family mountain cottages that will be part of the community’s turnkey builder program. The mountain cottages will range from 2,500-3,500 square feet in size and will be built on ½- to ¾-acre plots.
If you are ready to be a part of the Clear Creek community there are a few exciting options that are set to break ground in the near future. The master plan includes a total of 384 residential units that will all assure the ultimate in luxury, with the perfect mountain feel. The plans include 268 custom estate lots ranging from one acre all the way up to six acres in size. Each estate lot will feature custom-built houses and will offer spectacular view corridors of the golf course, meadows, and mountains as well as nearby Carson Valley.
Lake Tahoe is 191 square miles (122,200 acres) with shoreline length of 75.1 miles
In addition to custom houses, there will be a total of 98 single family mountain cottages that will be part of the community’s turnkey builder program. The mountain cottages will range from 2,500-3,500 square feet in size and will be built on ½- to ¾-acre plots. If you are seeking the optimal expression of mountain living for your primary or vacation residence, while enjoying Nevada tax benefits, Clear Creek Tahoe comes up a winner.
clearcreektahoe.com
Weekend Trips to Tahoe and Beyond
The Edgewood Golf Club is another one of Lake Tahoe’s must play courses. In addition to its panoramic beauty, the South Shore expanse is rated by Golf Digest magazine as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” The George Fazio-designed course also happens to have historic status, having opened in 1968. There are four holes that are just paces from the lake; in fact if you hit an errant tee shot on the famous par 3 17th hole, your ball will end up on the beach. Edgewood has played host to a variety of golf tournaments, including the U.S. Senior Open in 1985. For the past 25 years, Edgewood Tahoe has also been the home of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Each year in July, this star-studded event features some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Recent participants include Michael Jordan, Justin Timberlake, Ray Romano, and Steph Curry. edgewoodtahoe.com
Guests at The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa are treated to world class amenities and accommodations in their rooms and on the grounds
The Landing Resort & Spa, a couple blocks down the shore from Edgewood, is regarded by locals and regular visitors as South Tahoe’s premier lakefront hotel. All 77 modern guest rooms in the centrally located five-star resort are filled with posh amenities, while its in-house restaurant Jimmy’s is a local favorite thanks to its creative menu of Greek and California cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients and its inviting indoor-outdoor atmosphere complete with outdoor fire pits and live music. With beach access and proximity to “downtown,” The Landing is vibrant and action-packed during warmer months. During the winter, it is the ideal “lodge” perfectly suited for both the ski and aprés ski scenes. It is a quick walk to Heavenly Mountain, as well as stylish ski fashion shopping and imaginative casual dining options such as Basecamp Pizza, Azul Latin Kitchen (don’t miss the Thai curry tacos) and Echo at the Lake Tahoe Inn, which just rolled out the first Shabu Shabu in town, offering health-conscious skiers the perfect alternative to chili and chowder. Nearby Riva Grill is noted for its “Wet Woodies” rum cocktails, nightly happy hour specials, and live music.
thelandingtahoe.com
In 2015 The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and appeared in Condé Nast Traveller’s Top Resorts of Northern California list
