I was talking to Maria, a friend from work. We pretended to talk about work for a while, then she told me, "You really need to call my sister-in-law Nina at the Yolo Fliers Club- she wants you to do a story on the club."

I thought about it for a second and decided it really went against my morals. I told her: "But the Fliers Club is private - I'm all about the little guy. You know, Juan Q. Public. I can't do a story about a private club."

"She'll give you a free lunch."

"Okay, I'm there...Let me have her number."

So that is how it happened that InsideWoodland was invited out to play at the Yolo Fliers Club. I called Nina at the club and she arranged everything for me. She set up a prime tee time, 7:14 on Sunday morning. She sent me a letter in the mail and I was hooked up with everything- golf, cart, and lunch.

To get a partner I called another friend, Rick. He wasn't home, so I talked to his wife:

"Hey Lu, I wanted to find out if Rick wanted to play golf this Sunday."
"Oh, I'm not sure, I'll ask him when he gets home."
"Well, Rick is cheap- so tell him it's free."
"Well, if it's free, he'll probably play..."

Well, no problem- Rick was able to play. So the two of us went out to the Yolo Fliers Club on a Sunday morning for a round of golf. We're used to playing on public courses, so the whole private club thing was a new experience. And I enjoyed it.

Rick and I got out to the Course at about 6:45, and we walked into the clubhouse. The woman working at the clubhouse knew who I was right when I walked in (the whole non-member thing was probably a tip-off). She took me out to our cart, and got me set up, and pointed me to the first tee.

I asked her who we were behind, where we needed to be in the queue. She said, "Just go out there and tee off when you are ready."

Hmmm...maybe there is something to this private club stuff. We got to the box and tee'd off onto a wide open fairway. We were on our way to enjoying a great new course.

We were out there early - just as the sun was coming up.
We lost a lot of balls on those first few holes.

The course was started in 1919 - so they have plenty of mature trees.

This course is long for me, at 6,823 yards. There are four par 3's, four par 5's and ten par 4's. The picture above is a good example of most of the course. Fairly open fairways, bordered by trees. For someone who likes trees, they had a really good mixture of different varieties, with some of the big old oaks being the most stunning.

This is Woodland, so the course is fairly flat, but there were enough rolling hills and undulations to make it interesting. The most difficult parts of the course are the length, and the small greens.

The turf on this course was awesome, incredible, super-fly.
Rick is also looking very fly.

Every tee box was perfect. Every green was perfect. The fairways were in great shape. This private club thing really has something going for it. Because the course doesn't get as much play as a public course, everything is nice. And since they usually keep hacks like me off the course, nobody is out there tearing the place up un-necessarily.

Yardage Markers There are two main types of yardage markers on the course: The cypress trees (pictured left) are the 150 yard markers. They are on every hole. All of the sprinklers I came across had the yardage marked. All yardages given are to the center of the greens

The ninth hole, coming into the clubhouse.

Once again, this hole pretty much exemplifies what the Yolo Fliers Club is all about. It's a 360 yard par 4. I have a real struggle hitting the green in 2, so this course is really tough for me. (Actually, after 2 shots on this hole I was in the sand...so I had the distance..)

To have a nice course, you need to have the nice touches, and for that you need good people.

This is Rafael, he was making sure that the coolers were topped off with water, and that there was a good supply of cups at the break area on hole number 4. He told me he liked his job, because he got to do a lot of different things. I saw him cruising around in his cart and I thought to myself, "man, I wish I got to drive a golf cart around at work."

I think this is the only water hazard - but it was enough for me. I lost 3 balls here.

Unfortunately, you can't see it here. But the sand is sparkly!

Because my partner and I were pretty slow, we got passed by a lot of other people. In fact, we let 3 groups play through on the 3rd tee - after that there was nobody behind us for a loooong time (until the 14th). It was pretty nice, because I really hate playing with people right behind me. My bad game gets even worse..

This is Sachy - she and her husband were the first two to pass us up, and I think they were the happiest because
they had to watch our disastrous game for two holes. She told me that they play at the Fliers Club about 3 times a week.

This is Bob - he plays 3 times a week, his handicap is 21. He said, "It's a tough course because it's so long." Who plays out here? "A bunch of retired guys mostly. Federal and state workers, old farmers. We've got our doctors and lawyers too. Just a bunch of great guys."	This is Greg he's just powering through the ball on the 14th tee. I think he hit it straight too. His friends told him, "That was your best drive all day." He and his buddies were pretty good , they all smacked huge drives. It was nice, because as soon as they got on the fairway, we could tee off. No danger of us hitting out to them while they took their second shots.

It ended up that my partner, Rick (on the right), and one of the guys playing through (Bob) knew each other from
playing softball. You can read more about Bob in the 'After Game' section.

Dammit - when people told me that my swing was 'wooden' I thought they were just kidding. (But boy oh boy do I have some sexy legs...)

Debbie was just coming from the practice area, getting ready to play a round of golf. Her handicap is 20.6.

I stopped to talk to Debbie for a few minutes and told her I was writing a story about the course for a website about Woodland.

Debbie: "Oh...I live in Davis."
InsideWoodland: "Well, I make fun of Davis on the site."
Debbie: "Good, Davis deserves it.

Debbie is a fairly new member, she had joined up 8 months ago. I asked her how she liked the Fliers Club: "I love it- Everybody is nice." I asked her about the rental cart - she said that her husband has been looking for a new cart. She also mentioned that her husband was at risk of scuba-diving in the pond to collect the balls...

InsideWoodland: What is your favorite hole on the course?
Debbie: #17 (which is a par 5)
InsideWoodland: Why that hole?
Debbie: Because I always either par or bogey - it's just a lucky hole for me.

Then I got down to important stuff- I asked her what she gets to eat from the clubhouse. She usually orders the California BLT. According to the menu, it is: Crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on toasted bread.

I just hope it has mayo...a BLT without mayo is a travesty. Like ketchup on a hot-dog. It's a crime against food.

Well, I do think the Fliers Club is better than most courses I've played at. It isn't just the course, but it is the feel of the place. Part of that is because they have a jet in the parking lot. But there is more...

Every hole had a nice ball washer, and a trashcan. Drinking fountains, bathrooms, and other amenities are spread throughout the course. I didn't have to pee on a single tree while I was out there. And I'm sure the trees are happy about that. Probably the other players too.	Each hole has a little chart like this at the tee box. They are etched into stone. I just thought of them as headstones. But they are a better than what I've seen on other courses. (And better than most headstones in the cemetery.)

You may look at this and just see a pencil. But I see something more.
I see an eraser too...most courses don't include the eraser.

Golf History: No technology has ever lowered golf scores more than the eraser.

This is on the 9th tee. A menu, and a phone. You can call in your order to the bar to get some
food while you make the turn.

This is the private parking garage, where people keep their private golf carts. Privately.

This was our sweet ride the whole day. Number 18 - six times better than Dale Earnhart (R.I.P. Dale).

All day long I thought I heard guys whispering to their wives: "Stay away from them honey, they're driving a rental."

I really like women who bring me food.

This is Heather, she was our waitress. The clubhouse/bar was pretty comfortable, with nice chairs on wheels to roll around on. My only complaint was that the televisions were too distracting.

Steve - 11 handicap.

Steve has been a member for 7 years, he is also on the Board of Directors.

Hole number 7 is his favorite- that is the one with the small lake I hit three balls into.
Maybe he gets a cut on the used balls they sell in the pro-shop.

Bob played through us while we sat at the 3rd tee.

Bob has been a member since 1966. He has had a triple-bypass heart surgery, and knee surgery. But he keeps playing.

InsideWoodland: What's your favorite hole?
Bob: Hole number one.
InsideWoodland: Why number 1? It's just a wide open hole.
Bob: Because I am so happy to get out here, that just standing on that first tee makes me happy. So it's my favorite hole.

So there it was - another great round of golf in Woodland.
(Yes, I used a similar picture on a different story, but this picture is even better.)

Nina told me that they have memberships for sale:
Monthly dues for unlimited golf for a family is $245. Call Nina at: 530-662-0281
If you want more information about the Yolo Fliers Club, they also have a nice website.

	From:  Maria - Date: 16-Aug-05
	Told you Nina would treat you well. Glad you had a grand time. As always, I just love your site.
	From:  Maria - Date: 16-Aug-05
	P.S. This is Maria T. not the other Maria who made the other comments.
	From:  Cory - Date: 17-Aug-05
	Great piece on the Fliers Club. Bob - "the 1st Bob" is my brother-in-law. Will recommend they log on to your fantastic website!
	From:  Heather - the Waitress - Date: 17-Aug-05
	Nina emailed to say I was "famous" so I had to check out the article. Thanks for the laughs guys, and I'm glad you enjoyed your lunches - especially Maria's coleslaw! =)
	From:  Katie - Date: 17-Aug-05
	I liked this article, especially because the "1st Bob" is my uncle. And yes, Cory is my mom (see comment above!)
	From:  Allie - Date: 17-Aug-05
	Everyone seemed to like this article because they were related to someone in it. Well, I liked it because it was clever and funny... and Rick is my dad.
	From:  wanda jones - Date: 17-Aug-05
	i love your sense of humor. we love the club and this is a great idea and wonderful pictures of the club. great people out there.
	From:  M.e. - Date: 18-Aug-05
	Pencils WITH erasers... This is the kind of coverage that makes InsideWoodland.com my ONLY source for local news. Another home run IW! Oh, wait. That a different sport, right?
	From:  Lu - Date: 18-Aug-05
	I like the first picture with the oak trees, and of course the shot of Rick looking "fly" You are so funny Karl!
	From:  Brian Williams - Date: 18-Aug-05
	Karl, another spectacular story. You are awesome. But this place sucks compared to the frisbee golf course! LOL!
	From:   - Date: 19-Aug-05
	Rick, I really enjoyed your pleasing comments about YFCC and your sense of humor to boot. Great job on the photography and "humanizing" your article. I hope you come back and enjoy another round very soon! Good work, Richard O'Malley
	From:  Kelly - Date: 22-Aug-05
	Inside Woodland- I really think that Inside Woodland should think about selling shirts and other merch. I would buy it, and I know many other people would buy them too.
	From:  Allie, again - Date: 24-Aug-05
	Hi Karl I agree with Kelly! I think you should make Inside Woodland T shirts! I'd buy one, and my mom probably would too! Hop on it.
	From:  Andrea - Date: 24-Aug-05
	Yes they should get t-shirts. I would buy like 3!
	From:  Sarah - Date: 24-Aug-05
	fo sho dog. some inside woodlone threads would be sick yo.
	From:   - Date: 24-Aug-05
	i would by the shirts to!!
	From:  Random Stalker - Date:
	I can't believe Rick got chicken as opposed to turkey!
	From:  Same as Above - Date:
	Sorry, I meant turkey as opposed to chicken.
	From:  spencer - Date: 05-Nov-05
	i've got a good picture of the jet (i forgot the actual type of jet it is, i did know at one time, but it was a trainer jet) at the Flyers i should send you.
	From:  LOU EDGAR .DATE: 05-Nov-11 - Date: 11-Nov-05
	About a hundred years ago I was a member of the Yolo Flyers Club and also a astute resident of Yolo, Woodland, and the environs of Woodland .This statement can be varified by Don "THE HAND" Bloomers..Story and Photos Super Great..Looking forward to future works. How about a full story on my brother in law Jack Slaven I can't think of anybody that has dedicated more of his life and time into the Woodland Community. Recreation Director, Local Educator, City Counciman, Member Recreation and Parks Commission, etc, etc, etc. LETS GO INSIDE WOODLAND !!!!!!!! Lets get a public facility named is his honor It is overdue and you Inside Woodland can make it happen!!!!!!!
	From:  Player - Date: 20-Apr-06
	I came through with a round of 79 on Sunday- best round I've shot in 20 years!
	From:  Carola - Date: 19-Mar-07
	Your picture of Sachy--she wasn't playing with her husband--he died about 2/3 years ago. Check the info. You never know who might be reading this. I enjoyed the article though--well done, just the right amount of humor, and great pictures. Nina is a great gal.
	From:  govokinolij - Date: 12-Jul-07
	Hello Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much! G'night
	From:  renored12 - Date: 11-Sep-07
	u need 2 put the junior golfers on here!
	From:  toetag - Date: 12-Sep-07
	Where are the recent pictures from last weekends tournament?
	From:  renored12 - Date: 23-Sep-07
	kk. the hotdogs shouldn't take 3hrs. to get to you especially when they are premade!!!!!!!!!!
	From:  renored12 - Date: 23-Sep-07
	i love this course i just think that the juniors need to be recognized more
	From:  Mike - Date: 10-Oct-07
	Back in the 60's I lived in Woodland and worked at the club as a bag boy, pro shop assitant, etc., etc., etc. The pros were Frank Elston, Babe Alexander and Dave Harris. My parents were members for many years and I have so many fond memories of the club. I would love to share them and will soon.
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