Chuck Corica Golf Complex
I don’t know how I never knew there were two courses in Alameda, but I didn’t. So the other day when I was on GolfNow I saw the Chuck Corica Golf Complex. I then went to the map and looked up the course. I figured it was some short 9 hole course. I was very wrong, it was actually two 18 hole courses, a nine hole par 3 course and a full driving range.
Earl Fry Course, $54 on GolfNow for a Saturday at 12:18, 5 hours 15 minutes to play.
Here is the map of the Earl Fry Golf Course
Earl Fry Golf Course, Reverse view of hole 5
Of the two courses, this is the preferred course to play. And now that I have played both, I agree that it is better. However it took way too long to play it. I actually played quite well but the pace of play is a real downer. There is water on 13 of the holes as well.
Earl Fry Golf Course, Approach to the par 5, 6th hole
Jack Clark Course, $37 on GolfNow for a Saturday at 12:15, 3 hours 35 minutes to play. Are you kidding me, a round under 4 hours on a public course!
Here is the map of the Jack Clark Golf Course
Jack Clark Golf Course, Hole 13
The Jack Clark course has much less water and trouble than the Earl Fry course. The layout just isn’t quite as good as the Earl Fry course either. But based on pace of play, its more enjoyable.
Both courses are fairly similar in that they are flat. There is zero elevation on either course. They both are lined with old growth trees, mostly eucalyptus trees.
The grass is Bermuda, which is a grass that grows laterally. Some might refer to it as crab grass. Bermuda grass is nice to look at and grows nicely but brings an added difficulty for golf. Regular grass makes nice rectangular divots where Bermuda divots seem to tear randomly. The key is the pick the ball of the grass with as little contact with the ground as possible. There is also an added level of difficulty when chipping on Bermuda as well.
As for the greens, I’d say they were decent. I would give them a higher review but there were a lot of unrepaired ball marks. But besides this they rolled nicely and don’t break too much.
I am giving both courses a good review for the following reasons. First, the value is good and the courses are also in good condition. Second, of all the courses in the area these are the best value/condition. Monarch Bay is no were near as nice and lack trees and the same goes for Metropolitan. Plus both Monarch and Metropolitan are at least $20 more to play on average. It has a similar feel / layout to Skywest in Hayward, but both courses are better. So if you are playing in the Oakland/Alameda area, choose one of the Chuck Corica courses over the others.