Silverado Resort in the spotlight
It has been 50 years since the first foursome teed off on the Silverado Resort golf course. Since then golfers of varying abilities ranging from novice to professional have played one of Golf Digest magazine's top 75 golf resorts in America.
RESORT FACILITIES & INFORMATION: Silverado also offers 17 tennis courts complemented by a pro shop and professional staff. Rounding out the mix are 10 swimming pools, volleyball courts, basketball courts, jogging trails, 10-speed mountain bikes for rent and a 16,000-square-foot European health spa with 16 treatment rooms, an exercise facility and full service-salon.
GOLF FACILITIES: Construction of the Silverado golf course began in 1953 under the supervision of Ben Harmon. In May of 1955 the original 18-hole course opened and was the centerpiece of the resort's development for many years.
In 1966, son of famed golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Robert Trent Jones Jr., debuted his talents by redesigning and reconfiguring the facility to feature two distinct 18-hole championship courses.
The courses cover 360 acres and feature lush vegetation, ponds, lakes, three creeks, trees arching over the fairways and artfully placed traps and greens. Both courses are traditional in their design and allow for the natural flow of the Napa Valley to develop their character.
The 6,640-yard South Course challenges golfers with sidehill lies and more than a dozen water crossings. The North Course, on the other hand, stretches more than 6,700 yards but is occasionally more forgiving.
Silverado has been the site of both PGA Tour and Champions Tour tournaments. The North Course was host to the Kaiser International Open Invitational from 1968-1976 and the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic from 1977-1980. Winners of the tournaments were some of golf's most famous names, including Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw.
The South Course was home to the Senior PGA Tour event "The Transamerica" from 1989-2002. Among the winners were Tom Kite and two-time champion Lee Trevino. Billy Casper and Kermit Zarley, who was a winner on the North Course years earlier, also won on the South Course during the Transamerica Champions event.
A new pro shop will be completed in 2005. A staff of professionals is on hand to assist guests in improving their golf game.
Greens fees are $155 for in-house guests and $175 for golfers who belong to clubs with reciprocal agreements. From Dec. 1-Feb. 28, reduced offseason rates are in effect. Tee times can be made by calling 1-800-362-4727.
RATES: All rooms at Silverado Resort are suites. Each containing a full kitchen, dining area, living room with wood burning fireplace, master bedroom and bath and either a deck or patio. Junior Suites run $260-$290. One-bedroom suites run $300 to $360. Two-bedroom suites run $400 to $460.
GOLF PACKAGES: Silverado Golf Classic package includes accommodations for two, golf for two (space available Sunday-Thursday after 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Rates range from $325 per room per night to $500 per room per night.
The Golf and Spa Classic includes accommodation and one round of golf and one 50-minute spa treatment per night's stay. Rates range from $335 per room per night to $500 per room per night. (Same restrictions apply as above.)
March 10, 2006