Bee columnist's golf vacation on the road full of surprises

Last month's vacation was spiced by one of my favorite pastimes — golf on the road.

The quality of play may have lacked — OK, it lacked a lot — but the fun was maxed out. Some patience from my wife and daughter, combined with a desire to inspect both old and new golf destinations, resulted in a fascinating trip spanning the West Coast and Sierra.

A sad sight, the overgrown Meadowmont course in Arnold (closed for the first time since its opening in 1962), was balanced by an amazing sight. A tee time at Old Greenwood, the fabulous Jack Nicklaus layout in Truckee, was wiped out by...wait for it...snow!

Weather can be volatile in early June in the mountains, of course, but it's never normal when you should have replaced your clubs with skis. Alas, golf was out that morning, but an hour ride to the north toward Graeagle escorted us to a cold but playable afternoon at Plumas Pines. And so began our journey.

• PLUMAS PINES — Former Cal State Stanislaus star Brandon Bowling, the longtime pro at Plumas Pines Resort, greets his guests with a knowing smile. Plumas Pines lends an old-school vibe but actually spoils customers with full-service amenities, from the challenging 18-hole course to the award-winning Longboards Bar & Grill.

The wet conditions emphasized a long-held fact — Plumas plays a little longer than its yardage (6,421 yards from the tips down to 5,246 from the forwards). The back nine darts into the hills with fairways bracketed by tall pines. The 18th, a gradual 570-yard, par-5 turn to the left, affords a strapping finish. As always at Plumas, keep it straight. The green fees, $80 on weekdays and $95 on the weekends, can be stretched with play-stay-and-dine rates.

Not far from Plumas, Nakoma Golf Resort has reopened this summer. You might remember it as the punishing test which beckoned players with its tagline, "Send Me Your Heroes." Bunkers have been removed and fairways widened as Nakoma seeks golfers of all levels.

• SCHAFFER'S MILL — The former Timilick Tahoe has been renamed by new owners for George Schaffer, the Father of Truckee. The thoughtful Johnny Miller and John Harbottle creation opened to rave reviews in 2008 but has reorganized and — for the first time — is open to the public on a limited scale. It costs $135 on weekdays and $150 on the weekends, and the fee includes a shirt and cap.

The opening nine meanders through firs and Ponderosa pines at the base of a ridge, but the homeward nine showcases elevation changes and spectacular views. The Mill is bunkered beautifully, and the final three holes are all gems, especially the long 18th.

• GRIZZLY RANCH — Grizzly, another course that has opened its doors to public play, dazzles with its out-of-the-wayness and impeccable conditioning. Nestled in the deep forest where the Sierra and Cascade ranges meet, it's a big-man's course — 7,407 yards from the back — and expertly designed in 2005 by Bob Cupp.

A personal favorite is the par-5 12th, which asks for a precise drive between stands of pines and navigation of two hazards to reach the green. Warning: Head pro Van Batchelder puts meaning into the adage, "Never bet against a pro wearing a cowboy hat."

More information on many of the courses in the Reno, Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas is available by visiting golfthehighsierra.com.

• POPPY HILLS — A snappy 3½-hour morning round revealed Poppy, the headquarters course for the Northern California Golf Association, in gorgeous shape. Poppy, replaced a few years ago by the Monterey Peninsula Country Club's redone Shore course for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, often is punished for its location. It always will lose the easy comparison to exalted neighbors Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Cypress Point.