The site of Trinity Alps Golf Course was originally known as the "China Graveyard Ridge," after gold miners from China who congregated in the basin in great numbers during the Gold Rush. In 1871 alex Love built a quarter-mile track for horse racing. Some popular horses of the day were "Hayfork Kitty" and "Hollywood," owned by John Van Matre, of pioneer family reknown. After the miners left the area, and the town settled down a bit, the land was acquired by Trinity County.

Eventually, in 1928, it was developed into an airport, with a dirt landing strip, which served well until the 1950's. Moon Lee, the town's beloved Chinese leader, was the first pilot to land a plane there. After the "modern" Lonnie Poole Airport was built, in its current location on Highway 3 east of Weaverville, the old airport fell vacant. It was used only occasionally, for such events as viewing fireworks on the 4th of July, and sometimes for helicopters to land on an emergency basis during the forest fire season.

In 1954, when Trinity County offered the site for sale as surplus, it was purchased by a group of local business people, including Vic Rose and Don Ryan and their families, who envisioned a public golf course there.

After a wide search, Felix Claveran, a well-known professional with ties throughout northern California, was hired to build the course and develop the clubhouse. Felix and his wife Liz, built the course themselves with a great deal of assistance from local community. The effort began in 1975, and opening day for Trinity Alps Golf Course was on February 4th, 1976. together with their family, the Claverans ran it for over 20 years. It was a favorite watering hole for travelers, and gathering place for the locals. After Liz died, the Claveran family dispersed and eventually the course was sold. It passed through several hands, and in 2006 the Johnsons bought the Clubhouse and leased the golf course from Vic Rose's family. The Roses hold the site in trust to remain a golf course for the public in perpetuity.

The 9-hole course is laid out on a long hogback, covering about 40 acres. The course is a loop, out and back. It features wonderful views of the Trinity Alps, and deer and other wildlife are regulars.

In 2006, when the Johnsons acquired it, Trinity Alps Golf Course had fallen in sad disrepair. It had been abandoned, and the irrigations system was destroyed. The Johnsons and a small hard working crew, initially under the guidance of Felix Claveran, restored the irrigation system completely, sowed new fairways, modified bunkering, trimmed and removed hazardous trees, and altered some of the greens. New turf was sown on all of the fairways, and new sod laid on the greens and tees. A new practice green was developed, together with a practice bunker. The putting green was seeded with new bentgrass, and the area around the parking lot cleared up. Trees were replaced, and a new practice range is in the plans for the future. With the assistance of the Mens Club, the cart barns were restored, and a new fleet of electric carts was brought in.