Valley Gardens Golf Course

Valley Gardens Golf Course sits in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Scotts Valley, California, occupying rolling, wooded terrain characteristic of the region's coastal range. The course was designed by Bob E. Baldock, a prolific Northern California architect active from the 1950s through the 1970s who shaped dozens of public and private layouts throughout the state. Baldock's work typically emphasized playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating natural landforms and vegetation, and Valley Gardens reflects this approach with its tree-lined fairways and moderate elevation changes. The routing moves through stands of redwood, pine, and oak, with several holes playing uphill or downhill across the property's natural contours. The layout presents a mix of straightforward and dogleg holes where accurate placement matters more than distance, particularly given the tree corridors that define many fairways. Greens are generally modest in size and protected by bunkers and slopes that reward approach shots played to the correct level or quadrant. As a municipal facility, Valley Gardens serves a broad range of golfers from the Scotts Valley area and the greater Santa Cruz County region. The alternate tees referenced in the course name allow for varied yardages and different playing experiences on return visits, a common feature in public golf design intended to accommodate different skill levels and maintain interest for regular players. The setting provides a mountain golf experience distinct from the coastal links-style courses found closer to Monterey Bay.