Mountain View Golf Resort

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2015 at 8:50 AM

Challenging but a lot of fun. Course is in great shape and the greens run true and at a good pace.

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2012 at 10am

This updates my previous review from 2008.

Our group of travelling seniors played here 9-25-12, for $29, which included a "free" lunch. Without the "free" lunch, it would've been $25...go figure.

Anyway the course layout, etc. has not changed, but the ownership situation has, as they are no longer affiliated with Carroll Valley, which is on the other side of Fairfield, about 4 miles south. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the new ownership deal has brought some improvement to the course. Conditions today were very good, notably the greens, which were fast and true, although a bit firm and not especially receptive to holding long irons. The fairways were OK, but the bunkers were way too hard, and almost unplayable. The course should also rebuild many of the tee boxes, as they are not at all level.

The food/bar facilites have greatly improved, as there is a new "annex" to the clubhouse (which is still that neat old farmhouse); it has new restrooms, a new kitchen and a covered seating area. Quite a step up, AND, they now have their liquor license, so one can now get an adult beverage to soothe one's fevered brow! The staff is OK, not exactly country club level, but friendly and accomodating.

We recommend.

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, October 2008 at 10am

Our group of travelling seniors plays here several times a year, most recently on 11-4-08. Course is owned by the same folks who own Carroll Valley, which is billed as a golf resort. Mt. View is NOT a resort course. It is a basic, straightforward design, with a few challenging holes, and is what I would call a "neighborhood" type course.

Terrain is mostly flat, with challenges provided by abundant bunkers, both greenside and fairway, and lotsa trees. A few ponds and creeks come into play. No houses on the course, so it is fairly compact, and walkable. Front nine is very open, back nine a little tighter, and with more trees.

Notable holes are #5, a dogleg left par 4 around a large pond; #11, another dogleg left par 4 to a narrow chute on the second shot; #15, a pretty long par 4 dogleg right with OB on the right and a pond left front of the green, and the best is the last hole, a double-dogleg par 5, with water on the right side along the last 150 yards, all the way to the green. Many a good round has been sunk on that hole!

Design comments: tee boxes tend to be small, and many are crowned, making it difficlt to find a flat spot to tee up: fairways are generally wide and welcoming: greens are medium sized, mostly flat with some tilt, although a few are fairly well contoured, and all putt medium fast: bunkers are plentiful, and usually in good shape.

Conditions when we played last week were pretty good, considering the time of year, although the bunkers were a little too firm The amenities at the course are primitive: the pro shop is tiny, and in a 150-year old stone farm house; no snack bar, just a "roach coach" trailer outside, which is not staffed during the colder months. Staff is always nice, and very hospitable. Nice practice green, modest driving range.

We always take our post-round libations at Ventura-s, a pizza place/bar in the town of Fairfield, only about a mile from the course. Service is terrific and prices are very reasonable. We will go back to Mt. View (and Ventura-s), and recommend both.