Yes I am getting older but I can still play 36 in one day.

Again a birthday deal only having to pay for the cart.

After Rolling Hills I drove to Chico to play Bidwell Park a course I have not ... Continue »

Yes I am getting older but I can still play 36 in one day.

Again a birthday deal only having to pay for the cart.

After Rolling Hills I drove to Chico to play Bidwell Park a course I have not played in over 50 years.

This is truly a great public course that has stood the test of time. I know 9 holes opened in the 30's but no idea about the back 9.

Really two different 9's. Front very flat with little elevation changes but a back 9 with strong par 4's, great par 3's, elevation changes and beautiful setting in Bidwell park up against the hills.

Course does show its age in some ways. Older fairways that don't always give you a good lie + a good bounce on your kidneys in the fairways. So the carts are not the newest by any means.

Small greens that will test your game all round and while not big they are fast. And many greens elevated from the fairways and bunker guarded.

Older tee boxes that could use some leveling. But playable.

Fairways guarded by large trees and Chico creek that can ruin a drive. Or 2nd, or 3rd shot.

Traps are not the best but just OK.

Yes it is an older course but its got great bones and the layout is terrific.

Its a course that golfers who like tradition should play and one that they will not soon forget.

Highly recommended. Bring your GPS and some water.

Played Bidwell with a group of college friends on 8/16 and noticed I played/reviewed it about 2 years ago. Not much to add from my last review except for a couple of surprises. The fairways were rea... Continue »

Played Bidwell with a group of college friends on 8/16 and noticed I played/reviewed it about 2 years ago. Not much to add from my last review except for a couple of surprises. The fairways were really nice – bermuda lush. Bunkers were great with good, firm sand. The greens however were just aerated and sanded beginning on 8/12. They made no mention of this when we made the time which was pretty disappointing. As such, they were in repair and not puttable and had we known, we would have played elsewhere. There were still a lot of players which was surprising. Secondly, the marshall they had out there was a bit weird. When we got to the 3rd tee box, she drove up to us and asked if we were as bad as the group in front of us. What? I mentioned to her that the group in front of us were very good friends of ours and they were not playing slow at all. She backed off her comments. Then when we got to the 16th hole par 3, she reminded us that the green was open. Yes, we see that. She was bizarre and later found she was just hired. Well, good luck. Despite it all, we had fun but a lot crap going on here on this day. Get it together Bidwell.

Played Bidwell on 9/22 while traveling up to Chico to visit with some friends. I see I was the last one to review this course and I don’t really have a lot to add from about 2 years ago. There are s... Continue »

Played Bidwell on 9/22 while traveling up to Chico to visit with some friends. I see I was the last one to review this course and I don’t really have a lot to add from about 2 years ago. There are some improvements however. For one, the fairways are more lush than before and in pretty good shape. Areas off the fairways are still try but noticed these areas are improving also. Bunkers are in good shape. Good firm sand.

The greens were a bit chewed but rolled nicely. Some of the greens have some sizeable undulations and make putting a challenge.

It is a fun course to play and scenic as it sits adjacent to famed Bidwell Park. I would still suggest that if you are ever in the area, it is a must play.

Was traveling to Chico for a college reunion and played Bidwell on 11/7. The course is in the middle of Bidwell Park which is a very historic since it was established in 1905. Little known fact - in... Continue »

Was traveling to Chico for a college reunion and played Bidwell on 11/7. The course is in the middle of Bidwell Park which is a very historic since it was established in 1905. Little known fact - in 1937, sections of The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, were filmed in Lower Park. Ok enough history.

The course is a fun to play. It is lined with numerous trees, some of them come into play on approach shots. It is plenty long with some very long and challenging par 4's. Greens were great on this day. Rolled very true. There are a lot of humps on the greens which make reading them difficult. Drought conditions are evident with patchy fairways and very dry rough. Many deer roam the fairways but it is a very beautiful setting. Back 9 is definitely tougher. If passing through here, make it a place to play. Great staff in the clubhouse. Nice restaurant as well. Downside is there is no driving range but there is a practice area for practicing chips and sand shots. Very enjoyable.