The Ridge Golf Course

The Ridge Golf Course opened in 1999 in Auburn, California, situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Sacramento. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the layout to work with the property's natural elevation changes and native oak woodlands, creating a course that moves through varied terrain characteristic of the region's gold country landscape. The routing takes advantage of ridgelines and valleys that define the topography, with fairways carved through mature trees and native grasses. Jones incorporated his signature strategic design elements throughout the eighteen holes, offering multiple routes of play and rewarding thoughtful course management. The layout features significant elevation changes from tee to green on several holes, and players encounter both uphill and downhill shots that require adjustments for the terrain. Water comes into play on select holes, and the bunkering follows Jones's style of framing landing areas and greenside approaches with clear visual definition. The course serves as a daily-fee facility and has become a recognized public golf option in the Auburn area. The property's setting in the foothills provides views of the surrounding hills and distant mountain ranges, particularly from the higher points on the course. The conditioning and playability reflect Jones's intent to create a challenging yet accessible design for a range of skill levels, with multiple tee boxes allowing golfers to choose appropriate yardages for their games.