The Bridges Golf Club 9000 South Gale Ridge Road • San Ramon • California 94582

Perched on a gentle rise in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, the Bridges Golf Clubhouse looks every bit the Mediterranean villa, with its tiled roof, white walls, and Moorish turrets. The interior has the feel of an exclusive country club, and from almost every window the view is a vision in green: acres of velvety fairways, rolling away into the distance. The setting is so lovely, you might easily forget that this place was built primarily for golf.

When you enter the clubhouse lobby, a pair of elaborate wrought-iron gates to your left opens into a swanky bar inside one of those exotic towers you noticed out front. The magnificent double-high coved ceiling boasts a massive chandelier that would seem at home in a Medici castle! The bar adjoins the Golfer's Patio, where guests can quaff cocktails under the shade of a sycamore while surveying the players on the links.

French doors and windows make up one wall of The Bridges' main dining area, appropriately christened the "View Room." Wall sconces and an antique-style chandelier produce a romantic candelabra effect, and together with the sunlight enhance the warm glow of the room's earth tones. A crosshatch of wooden ceiling beams harmonizes with the wood trim of the richly upholstered chairs and oak tables.

A veranda runs along the greens-side of the club, accessed by both the View Room and the adjacent Fireplace Room. Used separately, these two spaces are divided by a tasteful partition of wooden shutters topped with glass cutaways; to combine the rooms for a larger event, the partition is simply folded away. The ambiance of richness and comfort in the View Room also pervades the Fireside Room, a cozy space for a rehearsal dinner. Your focus here is drawn to a grand stone hearth with a novel design: The fireplace is actually double-sided, and doors lead to a curved patio that surrounds the hearth's outdoor face. They call this the "Back Fireplace," and if there's a chill in the evening air, simply snuggle up by the hearth and behold the picturesque panorama.

The club's most dramatic room is the Garden Pavilion, just a few steps from the clubhouse. It's a grand space, with a 25-foot ceiling, antique wrought-iron chandeliers and a wall of huge archways overlooking the fairways. Guests love to step through the center arch onto the "Looking Terrace," where they have a panoramic view of the greens, Mt. Diablo, and the color-streaked sky as the sun sets behind the hills. The archways have tall French doors and windows, and the facility is climate controlled for year-round comfort. When the weather is perfect, however, you are still able to open the windows and let in the afternoon breeze. Set for an elegant reception, the Pavilion is breathtaking: Tables are covered with linens, flowers, and votive candles; silver and crystal sparkle in the candlelight, and the whole room is filled with a warm glow. If you'd like a more informal ambiance, however, the Pavilion's flexibility can accommodate your creativity. Some couples have brought in lion or dragon dancers for entertainment, and one even hosted a luau with hula dancers. During the holiday season, Bridges transforms the Pavilion with festive decorations, but if you have a different look in mind the club's event coordinators will be happy to help you achieve it.

The Bridges Golf Club encourages "proper etiquette and the highest standards" on the golf course. This emphasis on quality and tradition is also reflected in the clubhouse and Pavilion, so whether you host a customized golf tournament, a conference, or the most sophisticated wedding reception, your event will be first class all the way.