Livermore, California, USA
6th Hole / Par-4 / 389 Yards
Architect: Jay Blasi (2025)
Poppy Ridge is a new golf course on the site of an old one. The course was completely rerouted to take advantage of natural landforms and make the course walkable.
The 6th hole is a short/medium par 4 that plays from SW to NE. This hole crosses 4 holes from the previous course. The hole moves from right to left with a downhill tee shot and uphill approach.
Three big bunkers frame the far end of the landing area for the approach to the green. The fairway is 90 yards wide at its widest and 40 at the pinch point. The green complex is what makes the hole so fun.
There are large ridges in front, left, long and right with only a sliver of an opening at the front right. If you want to see the flagstick you will need to approach from the far-right side of the fairway. Within the ridges is a big punchbowl where shots can be played off the side slopes to get onto the surface.
The inspiration for the hole came from a golf visit architect Jay Blasi made to the North Island in New Zealand. He played a small country course called Waverly Golf Club. The course charges only $20 play and one places money in a dropbox. The entire course is maintained by one greenskeeper — the sheep do the rest.
The 12th hole served as the inspiration for the one created at Poppy Ridge. Waverly has no formal bunkers but the dramatic nature of the site is all the layout needs. The hole is called “Tom Thumb” and the par-4 is played to a punchbowl green that sits high up in a volcano-type setting.
The 6th at Poppy Ridge is loosely inspired by the 12th at Waverly.
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For more info go to:
Poppy Ridge | NCGA Owned Golf Course in Livermore, CA
