A 58 for the Record Books
In 2016, Stephan Jaeger blistered Stonebrae for a round of 58 and set an all-time Korn Ferry Tour score of 250 (-30) for 72 holes, elevating the course into record-book lore.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Stonebrae Country Club
Hayward, California
Established
2007
Architect
David McLay Kidd
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,774 – 6,515 yds
The verdict
Regionally Elite, Tournament-Tested Hillside Layout
Stonebrae delivers a big-stage championship feel atop the Hayward Hills, pairing bold shot demands with stunning vistas. With a firm, fast modern design and regional tournament pedigree, it's a serious golf experience for those with access.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery87
Conditioning85
Shot Variety80
Walkability68
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor76
Design Quality78
Don't miss
Soak in the sweeping Bay views from the upper practice tee before your round—it's a favorite sunrise ritual for locals.
At a glance
Quick facts
Elevation at clubhouse
Over 1,500 feet above sea level
Course grasses
Bentgrass, fescue, rye, bluegrass
Tournament history
Ellie Mae Classic (Korn Ferry Tour) 2009–2019
Most famous round
Stephan Jaeger shot 58 in 2016
Notable amenities
Modern clubhouse built 2014
Celebrity golfers
Stephen Curry and Jerry Rice have competed
Recent restoration
2024 green & bunker restoration
The design
The architecture
Stonebrae’s championship course flows across the upper reaches of the Hayward Hills with panoramic Bay Area views shaping large swaths of the routing. David McLay Kidd’s original vision blends firm, fast fairways and modern target-style defenses with risk/reward decisions influenced heavily by wind and elevation. The 2024 restoration brought the green complexes and bunkering back to their bold, original forms, reinforcing the course's identity as a tournament-ready, regionally elite private test.
David McLay Kidd's modern approach leverages elevation, angles, and wind to challenge elite and member golfers alike.
Defining features
- Hillside routing with dramatic elevation changes
- Firm, fast bentgrass and fescue playing surfaces
- Restored green contours and expansive bunkering
- Panoramic views over San Francisco Bay
- Multiple risk/reward driveable and three-shot holes
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
Skyline Risk-Reward
PAR
5
YARDAGE
576
A sweeping par 5 that plunges down the hillside, tempting big hitters with a bold second shot over a sea of bunkers and natural hazard. The green sits exposed atop a plateau with dazzling Bay views as your backdrop.
Play it smart
Carefully position your tee shot for a stable stance—then decide whether to risk a heroic second over trouble or play conservatively for a wedge approach.
Where it bites
Aggressive lines risk finding bunkers or leaving a devilish downhill recovery from fescue-sheathed slopes.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching a right-tilting fairway
Play left of center and allow for bounce—right-side bounces can race away fast.
Downwind into a tight green
Select less club and focus on spin—a firm green will release more than you expect.
Left with a downhill sidehill stance
Prioritize solid contact over aggression; sidehill lies will exaggerate miss-direction.
Third shot to an elevated par-5 green
Fly it to the center—short misses can roll 30 yards back or into a bunker.
Putting from above the hole
A light touch is essential—downhill putts here gather speed with alarming quickness.
Driving in a crosswind
Tee it lower and favor the sheltered side; the wind funnel can turn small pushes into wild misses.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm, fast fairways with private-club conditioning and bentgrass greens that reward thoughtful play.
Pace
Member pace is brisk and orderly—tournament weeks move quickly, but expect club control throughout.
Vibe
Upscale and golf-focused, with a championship-caliber atmosphere and panoramic tranquility.
Dress code
Traditional private-club golf attire required—collared shirts, tailored shorts or pants.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring layers
Weather can shift quickly on the ridge—fog and wind often move in by afternoon.
02
Pack extra balls
The course's native rough and steep slopes can punish wayward shots—you’ll want insurance.
03
Walk or ride?
Ambitious walkers will be rewarded with vistas, but many prefer a cart for the hilly terrain.
04
Practice your lag putting
These greens are fast and undulating; distance control is crucial to avoid three-putts.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2007
Course opens as Stonebrae Country Club, designed by David McLay Kidd
- 2009
Begins hosting Korn Ferry Tour's Ellie Mae Classic
- 2014
New clubhouse completed
- 2016
Stephan Jaeger shoots historic 58 and sets tournament records
- 2019
Final Ellie Mae Classic Korn Ferry event hosted
- 2024
Major restoration returns greens and bunkers to their original form
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Bay Area's Celebrities Tee Off
Both NFL legend Jerry Rice and NBA superstar Stephen Curry have teed it up at the Ellie Mae Classic, drawing national attention to Stonebrae's tournament weekends.
Revitalized Greens and Bunkers
The 2024 restoration effort brought Stonebrae's bold green complexes and sandy hazards closer to David McLay Kidd’s original vision, sharpening strategic interest for today's players.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Stephen Curry made his pro golf debut at Stonebrae in 2017.
2
The course once yielded four rounds in the 50s during Korn Ferry play—a rare feat at tournament-caliber venues.
3
Stonebrae's location puts it among the highest-elevation private courses in the Bay Area.
4
Its name comes from the Stonebrae Highlands, referencing ancient dry stone walls that once marked the hills.
5
Wind can swing by 10+ mph between the first and eighteenth tee—bring your wind game!
Build the trip
If you're making a Bay Area golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Harding Park
Public
PGA Tour venue and the region's best public championship experience
Corica Park (South)
Public
Innovative links-inspired municipal with year-round access
Pasatiempo
Semi-Private
MacKenzie marvel with elite architectural pedigree
Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Ocean)
Resort
Stunning coastal holes and easy visitor access
Oakland, Alameda, or downtown Berkeley for the best East Bay and San Francisco access
Course DNA
If You Like Stonebrae Country Club
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Strong DNA Match8.1
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Community Sentiment
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