The Grass is Greener on Tahoe Donner's Side
Golf, Member News, The Lodge Restaurant & Pub, Trout Creek Recreation CenterBy Ali Dickson
After extensive renovations to the Tahoe Donner Golf Course in 2020 and 2021, golfers of all skill levels can look forward to a pristine alpine golf experience like never before. Tahoe Donner Golf Course Superintendent Ram Sena and Golf Pro Jeff Hwang have been eager to take the golf course’s recent improvements to the next level while honoring Tahoe Donner’s unique golf culture.
First reopened in 2021 after over $2 million in renovations, the Tahoe Donner Golf Course is back and better than ever. With established greens after their transplant in 2020, assimilation of new tees and fairways, better integration of new features and much more, stepping onto the course in 2022 will bring a unique alpine golf experience.
“Tahoe Donner has always been a destination,” says Ram Sena, golf course superintendent. “But now, we have the latest course renovation in this area. We completed upgrades like modifications to tee boxes and fairway renovations on holes 10 and 11.”
“Our biggest renovation was the greens replacement – it’s been huge. We completely resurfaced the greens and part of the green surrounds. Greens are where we spend probably 85-90% of our time, so we want to make sure the surface is perfect.”
On the course this season, be sure to appreciate the new and exciting renovations that include:
- Over 3.5 acres of fresh greens
- Reshaping of holes 4, 10, 11 + 12
- Fairways improved around holes 3, 10, 11 + 15
- Reshaped tee boxes on holes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 + 16
When it comes to Tahoe Donner golf, though, catering to the community is just as important as catering to the course. Jeff Hwang, Tahoe Donner’s new golf pro, shares, “My whole goal is to hear that, when someone says, ‘Where do you golf in Truckee?’ Tahoe Donner is at the top of their list. A lot of the golf experience is the service and the quality and what we have to provide the membership, as well as the professionalism of the staff and how people are spoken to when they walk in.”
THE MAN BEHIND THE GREENS 
It is due to the hard work of Ram Sena that Tahoe Donner’s golf course has become one of the most carefully managed courses in the community. Starting at Tahoe Donner in summer 2021, Ram brought experience from high-end golf clubs in Chicago as well as across California. His expertise in all-season golf allows him to keep an unforgettable course at Tahoe Donner through blazing summers and freezing winters.
“He put the course in some of the best shape we’ve ever seen it with the smallest crew we’ve ever had,” Jeff recalls. “Typically, his job would be to direct from the sidelines, but he has been on the course, hand mowing and working for up to 16 hours a day – six or seven days a week. With a crew of about half of what we normally have, the progress has been incredible.”
Especially with the new greens, Ram and his team have been crucial to ensuring that the membership plays on the best surface. Jeff explains, “When you put all new greens in, you don’t just lay it down and walk away. It’s like a baby – in the first couple of years, you’re going to get less sleep. Ram was probably on this property more than anyone in Tahoe Donner. If you talk to our members on the course, they’ll tell you that it’s probably some of the best conditions we’ve had as a golf course in 10 or 15 years. With such little time and such a small staff, it was quite a feat what he has done.”
JOIN THE CLUB
Have you heard? One of the best ways to get the most out of Tahoe Donner’s golf course and connect with the community is to join one of the many golf clubs! Jeff notes, “Becoming a member of a club helps to get people integrated into the golf course, because 30-40% of our daily play comes from those clubs. Our ladies’ clubs, nine-hole clubs and men’s clubs do a lot of that groundwork when it comes to getting members familiar and excited about golf.”
Whether playing to enjoy a social golf outing or improve your game, lifelong friendships and skills are gained when you join a golf club.
Tahoe Donner golf clubs include:
- Men’s Club
- Women’s Club
- Women 9-Holers Club
- TD Ladies Play 9 Golf Club
- Junior Golf Club
Learn more about Tahoe Donner’s social golf clubs and join in the fun!
While it certainly helps that Tahoe Donner’s course is newly renovated – and is only improving – the people that encompass the association’s golf culture have created an experience you can’t find anywhere else in Tahoe, thanks to the continuing work of James Murtagh along with Jeff and Ram.
“What the team is excited about now,” shares Ram, “is growing the culture that we can give to members as both a local destination and a club away from home.”
TAKE A SWING AT A LESSON
Tahoe Donner Golf Course
If you’re looking to get into golf or level up your skills, take advantage of Tahoe’s most recently renovated course and professional instructors. Add in quality rental gear, and you’ll improve your game in no time. Learn more about weekly skills clinics, private lessons and junior golf school.
A WHOLE NEW PRO SHOP
Quality courses deserve quality gear, and the Pro Shop at Tahoe Donner is stocked with new, top-of-the-line golf essentials from Callaway Golf in addition to custom orders. Having exclusively signed with Callaway, Golf Pro Jeff Hwang has firsthand experience when it comes to what gear makes for a great game of golf. Whether you need a ball, gloves, driver or advice, Jeff is able to tee you off in the right direction.