A personal start
I never planned to call Catta Verdera home. As a kid I rode shotgun with my dad and grandpa while they serviced portable toilets for Chuck’s Sanitation. Their route ran through the hills at what everyone then called Twelve Bridges Golf Club. I saw oaks, rolling fairways, and crews working hard. Years later I drive these streets as a neighbor and a real estate agent. The same views still slow me down. Life came full circle and I feel grateful.
The deeper history around Twelve Bridges
Rancher Joel Parker Whitney left his mark on these foothills. He built stone bridges across his vast ranch holdings in the late 1800s. Those bridges inspired the Twelve Bridges name that locals still use for neighborhoods and schools. The land shifted from ranch roads to fairways as Lincoln grew, yet the place kept its old foothill character.
The first people here
The Nisenan, also called the Southern Maidu, lived in this region long before ranches and golf. You can find bedrock mortars, often called Indian grinding stones, in the area. Families gathered acorns and ground them for food at these sites. If you see a mortar near a trail or out by the rough, treat it with care and report it so the community can protect it.
From Twelve Bridges to Catta Verdera
The course opened in the 1990s as Twelve Bridges Golf Club and later reintroduced itself as Catta Verdera Country Club after upgrades. Architect Richard Phelps shaped the original layout. Brad Bell refined it with a renovation that kept the oak dotted hills and the elevation changes golfers love. The setting still delivers classic foothill golf with views that make you pause.
What “Catta Verdera” means
Locals often say the name means a magical green place. Stand on a ridge at sunset and you will get it. Oaks frame the light. Fairways bend around the hills. Breezes carry that quiet the foothills know well.
A day in the life at the club
Most weeks follow a simple rhythm. Members play Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays usually host golf tournamentsand course work. That schedule keeps the rest of the week smooth. When the last groups finish at twilight, Verdera residents walk the trails that run along the course edges. Neighbors wave. Dogs sniff the air. Strollers roll past the oaks. The scene feels easy and social.
From October through January, fog slips into the low spots. Deer step out near the rough. Oak branches catch the light. After a rain the hills glow and you remember why people fall in love with this place.
How to join Catta Verdera Country Club
You join directly through the club. Memberships typically include Individual Golf, Family Golf, and Social. Each option lists an initiation fee, monthly dues, and a food and beverage minimum. Call the membership office and request the current packet. Ask about waitlists, guest policies, junior programs, and practice access.
Smart questions to ask
- What are the current initiation fees and monthly dues
- Is there a waitlist for Golf
- Can I move from Social to Golf later
- What are guest and tournament policies
- How do junior golf and practice privileges work
Course and clubhouse vibes
- The course: Elevation shifts. Tree lined corridors. Water in key places. Choose the right tees and you will enjoy a fair test.
- Practice: The range and short game areas make improvement simple to plan.
- Clubhouse: Verandas and courtyards look over closing holes. Weddings and member events use those views often.
- Mondays: Tournaments and maintenance take the stage, so plan your golf week accordingly.
If you want to live in Verdera
Verdera blends privacy with access. The gates keep traffic calm. Trails invite evening walks. Groceries, coffee, and schools sit a short drive away. Buyers often ask for single level homes, three car garages, and view or greenbelt lots. Sellers who stage well and time photos for golden hour tend to win attention.
From Twelve Bridges to Catta Verdera
The private 18 hole course opened in the mid 1990s as Twelve Bridges Golf Club and even hosted the LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge during that era. In 2003, after improvements to the layout, the club reintroduced itself as Catta Verdera Country Club. The original design is credited to architect Richard Phelps, with a renovation by former tour pro Brad Bell that refined playability while preserving the oak dotted hills and elevation changes. cattaverdera.com+1
What “Catta Verdera” means
Regional coverage at the time of the name change explained that Catta Verdera translates to a magical, green place. When you stand on a ridge and look over fairways wrapped by oaks, the name makes sense. goldcountrymedia.com
Life here, in real terms
Most weeks, member play runs Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays are typically reserved for golf tournaments, course work, and events, which helps keep the rest of the week smooth for members. When the last groups finish at twilight, you will often see Verdera residents walking the edges and trails, saying hello to neighbors, pushing strollers, and cooling down the day. It is a small ritual that feels very Lincoln CA.
From October through January, the foothills put on a show. Fog settles in the low spots, deer wander the rough, and the oak canopies filter that soft winter light. Add the rolling hills and you understand why people call it a magical green place.
How to join Catta Verdera Country Club
Membership is handled directly by the club. Categories commonly include Individual Golf, Family Golf, and Social, each with an initiation fee, monthly dues, and a food and beverage minimum. Details change, so always get the latest packet from the membership office. Recent materials list the current tiers and what is included, and the club site shows contact info and program highlights. cattaverdera.com+3cattaverdera.com+3cattaverdera.com+3
Smart questions to ask when you call
- Is there a waitlist for Golf or a path from Social to Golf
- What are the current initiation fees and monthly dues
- What is the practice access for Social members
- How often are tournament Mondays and guest policies
- Are there junior golf or player development programs
Reviews in plain English
Member and guest reviews consistently mention an engaging target style layout, rolling terrain, and wildlife sightings that make rounds memorable. Wedding and event write ups also praise the clubhouse terraces and views. Conditions vary by season like any busy private course, yet the setting is the constant draw. Greenskeeper+1
Why this matters for Lincoln CA buyers and sellers
Catta Verdera and the gated Verdera neighborhood are a big part of why buyers seek out Lincoln CA. Homes with single level living, three car garages, view or greenbelt lots, and clean curb appeal tend to lead the pack. If you are selling, timing photos for that golden light and making landscaping pop can add real value. If you are buying, walk the lot at sunset and listen. This place tells its own story.
To learn more about living in Verdera, check out my Catta Verdera Page. You can search for homes, check out the HOA, and get your questions answered!
FAQ
Is Catta Verdera the same place people used to call Twelve Bridges
Yes. The course opened as Twelve Bridges and reintroduced as Catta Verdera in 2003 after updates. goldcountrymedia.com
Who lived here first
The area is within the Nisenan or Southern Maidu homelands, and bedrock mortars that were used to process acorns are documented in the region. Placer County
What does Catta Verdera mean
A magical, green place, which fits the scenery here. goldcountrymedia.com
How do I see current membership pricing
Contact the club directly and ask for the current schedule for Golf and Social tiers. cattaverdera.com
