Now ...

A blend of lush beauty, rich history and a great championship golf course.

Located in one of the most picturesque valleys in California, Green Valley Country Club provides unmatched country club facilities in a breathtaking setting.  Once the world' largest cherry orchard, Green Valley Country Club was conceived in 1949 with the purchase of the 528 acre Jones Ranch from the fourth generation of the Jones family.  Now the area is populated by herds of deer and flocks of wild turkeys not to mention the crows, woodpeckers, squirrels, and jack rabbits.

From the grand mansion, built in 1856 of native stone and now the clubhouse, to the property surrounding it, an aura of history, legend and lore pervades the Green Valley country Club.  Centuries of Indian history, hints of the Russian occupation, the California Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, and even the original Fremont Trail between Sutter's Fort and Solano Mission in Sonoma that transverses the golf course all are part of the fabric that exemplifies the spirit of the Club and its members.

If you are looking for quality in golf, tennis, swimming, and fitness in a club setting, Green Valley Country Club is the ideal privately-owned, equity club for you.

The idea of turning rural piece of Solano County property into Green Valley Country Club was hatched in the spring of 1949 by a group of about twenty area families. Although the group had committed to the idea, a location was difficult to find because the issue of water was a major obstacle. Shortly, the members-to-be secured an option on the F. Sidney Jones 500-acre ranch, then the world's largest cherry orchard. The borings done by Mare Island Ship Yard during WWI, showed that there was water sufficient to meet needs of that time on that parcel of land.

The site was also attractive because of the Jones mansion in the center of the most promising part of the "low-lands" which would provide room for golf, tennis, swimming and family activities. Across the proposed golf course ran the original Fremont Trail between Sutter’s Fort and Solano Mission in Sonoma. John Sutter had purchased all of the Russian property on which the present club house mansion sits today. The Ramsey Swift who raised the Bear Flag in Sonoma Plaza in 1846 built the mansion. Underneath many of the fairways lie the bones and artifacts of generations of the Plains Patwin Indians of the Wintun Tribes who populated the area. Swift's sister became Mrs. F. Sidney Jones I. Four generations of the Jones family occupied the house.

The stone mansion, built during the Civil War, contained 7,000 square feet and included six bedrooms, five baths, two living rooms, one dining room, kitchen, pantry, six native-stone fireplaces and spacious stone porches. The present Country Club Drive was then an impressive private driveway approaching a circular driveway lined with palm trees and surrounding gardens. In the early days of the club, members formed "watering squads" to maintain these gardens.

In November 1949, two groups were incorporated to start the club: Green Valley Land and Development and Green Valley Country Club. For $600 each family received one share of stock in the Development Company and for another $15 each family received one dues-paying membership in the club. With this start-up money the corporations purchased the 526.42 acre Jones property for $74,500. Various members took charge of transforming the property into a country club. The "foreman's house" became the pro shop and snack bar. There were committees for horseshoes, badminton, putting, saddle horses, and bridge. The cherry packing shed became the Little Red Barn Theatre where actual productions were staged.

The original plan for the club included a nine-hole golf course, but that was soon changed to eighteen holes. Crews dug wells for golf course irrigation, however some of these wells were not reliable in hot weather and providing water to the course has been an on-going problem throughout the years. For the first twelve years of the club, wells were the sole source of water because the purchase of additional water from Vallejo was prohibitive.

At the same time, the corporations were developing adjoining land into home-site properties with the hope of resulting funds to finance club construction. Sixty-one original sites were put up for public auction. Twenty-three lots sold the first year at an average price of $2,775. The first house completed was on the 15th fairway. The disappointing sales and resulting lack of working capital to move construction  along caused finances to be of great concern. The remaining home sites were sold to private developers. Between the years of 1949-1962, club finances fluctuated between "dubious" and "probable." It was not until 1962 that the financial status of the club was assured.

In time for the first summer, the swimming pool and Club House were ready for use. Members of busy committees had readied the property from silverware and wallpaper to one hundred bridge tables, seven poker tables and a half-dozen slot machines. A cook, bartender and two waiters began serving drinks and meals around the club. Other activities included, dances, hay rides, luaus. Club women were especially active and formed a group that met, lunched and played cards often.

By the Fall of the second year, nine holes of the golf course had been completed and were ready for use. About a dozen young men were available to caddy for members. Golf lessons were available and the course was being used regularly. There was a tremendous turnout for club functions and services. There was also a huge contingent of volunteer members who would step behind the bar to pour drinks or disappear into the kitchen to help serve meals.

On January 1, 1954, after 4 1/2 years, both the Development Company and Country Club were entirely free of indebtedness. The 18-hole golf course was complete with equipment adequate for its maintenance; the swimming pool and Club House were in full operation and adequately equipped and furnished. On February 2, 1954, Phase II of the club development began under President B. C. Kingsbury. The Bath House was the first project during this time. New wells needed to be drilled but water was still inadequate for club needs. It would be seven years before the Solano Irrigation District brought a supply of affordable water into the area.

The years of 1961-64 were years of transition for the club. The former Dome room was constructed and the Club House was closed for months. A new kitchen was capable of handling 400 guests. Finally, the club had sufficient water to keep the golf course green. The first tennis courts were built in 1968. In 1974 the club added a tennis pro shop and facilities.

After many years of no major investment, the 1998 Board felt it was time to sell the membership on upgrading the “jewel” hiding in Green Valley.  1998 was the year the membership passed the assessment for the new building project. The 3.4 million was financed over 20 years at a fixed rate considered very competitive for the time.  This was due in large part to many hours of work by the finance committee headed by Les Singer. The Board, headed by president Gil Walker along with many hours of hard work by past president John Sconza picked a contractor for the first two phases. Past President Tom Recknagel agreed to oversee the project at no cost to the Club.   He not only saved the Club hundreds of thousands in general contractor fees, he also made sure the members received the great product they deserved by keeping the contractors and architects on track.   The new pool house was to be done first, and the upstairs was to be “roughed in” to be completed at a later date.   This happened in 2003-2004 when the upstairs became a “fitness” facility.   The old stand alone pro shop “shack” was removed and was incorporated into the new expanded terrace building. The ladies now had their own card room and both men and ladies had new locker rooms.   The building was completed in late 1999 and New Year’s  Eve 2000 was held there. Bill Fell became President in 2000 and spent many sleepless nights wondering if the tarps over the now demolished “Dome Room” would keep the weather out of the Mansion.   Thanks to the house committee and a very committed Board of Directors the new addition to the Mansion looked like it really belonged to the 150-year old main building.  That project was completed in May 2000.   

It should be noted that in the midst of all the building during the 1999 term of President Jim Rowe the club celebrated its 50th anniversary. The party went all weekend with a parade featuring old cars as well as many original members including our first President B.C. Kingsbury, and live bands that even included an Elvis impersonator. The members definitely upheld the "party" tradition  On a sad note, the club lost its founder and President B.C. Kingsbury in August 2003. B.C. was active up until a month before his death, always looking for a way to make the Club a more polished “jewel” for its members and the Green Valley community. 

The year 2003, under President George Bardizbanian was the beginning of the next major project.  That project included the rebuilding of greens 1,8, and 12 as well as striking a deal with the Solano Irrigation District for a dedicated water line for a new irrigation system, and investing some serious money in the tennis facility.   This would guarantee the Club water for the next 25 years at very competitive rates. As California and Solano County grew, it was becoming quite obvious that whiskey was for drinkin’ and water was for fightin’.   The Club also bit the bullet in 2003 and spent $125,000 for a new well for back up water “just in case”.   The green and irrigation assessment of 2.5 million dollars was passed in 2004 under President Dean Frisbie. This loan was rolled into the loan for the new buildings at an even lower fixed rate for a 15-year term.   This was again the work of Finance Chair Les Singer and Past President John Sconza.  2003 was also the year we  spent $65,000 to build new bridges on fairways number 15 and 16. After past President Glen Cornelius attempted to recreate the Wright Bros flight off number 15 in his new Ford Think golf cart it was decided new railing and bridges were appropriate.