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<\/a>The ambiance and views of the Trinitas Golf Club are sublime as shown by the par-four 13th.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cBuild it and they will come\u201d was at the heart of entrepreneur and olive farmer, Mike Nemee’s golf course dream.\u00a0 His operating golf course called \u201cTrinitas\u201d has received many honors with some even likening it to some special places such as Augusta and other famous golf venues.\u00a0 Be that as it may, he and his course are under attack \u2013 a mean, vicious attack; one apparently not based upon either fact or truth.<\/p>\n
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Nemee like some before him decided to design and build his own golf course on a pristine property about twenty minutes outside of Stockton, CA.\u00a0 With no formal golf course architectural training and nothing more than an entrepreneurial spirit and a 6-handicap game, he became inspired by a property he purchased and penciled out a memorable course that today golfers enjoy.\u00a0 Trinitas is a gorgeous, sometimes quirky, but always fun and engaging layout that will test anyone.\u00a0 In fact, of the more than 2,550 courses I have played, my experiences walking and playing Trinitas rank with the best.<\/p>\n
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Trinitas might be described as a minimalist design as Nemee moved so little dirt that no grading permit was even required.\u00a0 No problems either with State environmental law or fish, game or wildlife concerns.\u00a0 (Nemee estimates that governmental agencies have made around sixty visits to the course.)\u00a0 He removed only six trees of the 6,000 oak trees and the 1,500 mature olive trees were left untouched.\u00a0 Nemee likes to say that more than designing the golf course, he discovered it on the property.<\/p>\n
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This Trinitas property is rather remotely situated \u2013 it\u2019s “out in the sticks” yet only about 20 minutes northeast of Stockton, CA and some major north-south highways.\u00a0 Mike and wife Michelle\u2019s parents each have a property adjoining the course and only a few homes adjoin two of the holes.\u00a0 Mostly the surrounding area is low-production agricultural land in a county that has little population or commerce.<\/p>\n
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Golfwise, I heartily recommend the course. \u00a0It is very challenging for the expert player who will often need to layup off the tee whereas it is quite playable for the average golfer \u2013 an uncommon trait.\u00a0 The rating\/slope is a healthy 73.3\/149 making it a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” at just under 6,700 yards from the tips.\u00a0 The greens putt superbly and the fairways are nice and tight.\u00a0 When you gaze beyond the golf course you are greeted by magnificent views of the local countryside and the Sierra in the distance, but you\u2019d better keep your attention to the task at hand, because Trinitas will punish you if you are careless.\u00a0 The par-threes are among the best anywhere and very different from each other.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Trinitas is more than a golf course, it\u2019s truly a golf experience, though still a Spartan one without other amenities. Nemee and his family share their residence with the maintenance equipment garage and the make-shift golf shop though a five-star hotel, spa, and golf academy were originally planned.\u00a0\u00a0 It all makes for an amazing story that is continuing, and it\u2019s survival is far from assured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The project began in 2003 and I first visited the site before it opened in 2007 and was so impressed that I wrote about it.\u00a0 Nemee\u2019s vision was a combination of being a steward of the land and nature as it is a member of the International Audubon Society.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once on the property, you will enjoy not only peace and quiet, but a plethora of wildlife. Visit, play the course, or chat with Mike Nemee and you come away with a heartfelt feeling that this is a wonderful project for the environment and golfers, as well as the struggling economy of Calaveras County that in 2011 has a 20 percent unemployment rate.\u00a0 Succinctly stated, Trinitas directly supports recreation, agriculture, and tourism.\u00a0 In fact, the project was listed in the Obama Stimulus Package, that is until the County said \u201cNo\u201d though the community as a whole (schools, sheriffs, veterans, firefighters, taxpayers association, unions, Chamber of Commerce) came out in support of them.\u00a0 Now the County is trying to halt olive oil production and sales together with any golf.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Nemee\u2019s are religiously inspired and you will discover all types of facility features that are inspired by the \u201cTrinity\u201d with 3\u2019s greeting you in the yardages, bunkering, mounding and other golf course features, and more.\u00a0 The course is really a special experience, a fantastic walk, and a facility worth the golf community rallying behind.\u00a0 And remember, I rank its par-3s among the best in California!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, Trinitas is really, really fun golf experience and it continues to be open<\/em>, though don\u2019t expect any fancy bar or restaurant (pack a sandwich).\u00a0 Their Trinitas olive oil is sublime.\u00a0 And if you meet Mike and Michelle Nemee, you will come away inspired.\u00a0 Go play Trinitas now; buy their olive oil and enjoy this unique golf experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trinitas is so good that it is worth a trip from anywhere in California.\u00a0 Also it is built to drain quickly so that it is a good place to play winter golf as well.\u00a0 If you enjoy \u201cpure golf,\u201d you will definitely want to experience Trinitas!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more information or to book a tee time, refer to www.trinitasgolf.com.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Below is a view of the par-four 16th hole from the teeing area.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a>The short little par-three 3rd hole is not only one of the best in California, it ranks with the best in the world!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Nemee steadfastly maintains that he has steadfastly followed the County\u2019s lead since the beginning.\u00a0 The County initially approved this all, but now has reversed itself reflecting a mean-spirited no-growth political agenda against not only the Nemee\u2019s, but golf.\u00a0\u00a0 The sad thing is that most of the people against it have never even set foot on the course or property.<\/p>\n<\/a>A good drive on the par-five 13th leaves you with this impressive challenge.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>\n