Silverado Resort & Spa (South course)

Silverado Resort & Spa (South course): Set among the gently rolling hills of Napa Valley's wine country, Silverado is home to two excellent, parkland style, championship courses - the North and South. Like its slightly longer companion layout, the South course provides plenty of golfing challenges and a pleasantly varied layout. At times the terrain is relatively flat, at others pleasantly undulating.

The good mix of straight and dog-legging holes on the South course are occasionally tree-lined, but more often played in an open setting where water hazards and a scattering of trees define the holes. Houses unobtrusively flank some parts of the course perimeter, although not to obscure picturesque views onto the surrounding Napa Valley hills. The fairways seem a fraction less tight and at times a little more forgiving than on the North course, although the South brings more water into play.

On the par-5 11th a small lake dangerously threatens the left side of the hole, while a pond must be crossed directly in front of the green at the par-5 13th. There's another pond to cross at the par-3 15th, while a creek meanders through the good-length par-3 17th. Although the rough beyond the fairways is not too penal, it is coping with the combination of water hazards, good bunkering and occasional Out of Bounds that will determine how well you score.

Although perhaps not quite as revered as the North, Silverado's South course has laid down a worthy challenge to the seniors on the Champions Tour for many years. And, in its pleasant and varied parkland setting, it will still thoroughly test your game.

Stay&Play at Silverado: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.