CITY SENIOR INVITATIONAL
AT VALLEY HI GOLF COURSE
Journal Entry #12
Wednesday
July 23, 2003
I left my course rating data cards at home last week and took my 23 handicap to the 2003 Valley Hi City Senior Invitational. This was actually an "open" tournament and probably will be presented that way next year to increase participation. About 60 guys age 55 and up entered. My flight was the 65 through 69 group. The Ferguson Pontiac Buick GMC Truck auto dealership sponsored the tournament, and we all thank them very much. Ferguson is a great supporter of Valley Hi and other golf tournaments in the Colorado Springs area.
I played both days with great gentlemen, and we all had a blast. One of our foursome, Click Barton, did a double take when he saw my University of Texas Longhorn golf towel, which was a birthday gift from my son who is doing graduate study at Rice University (2003 College World Series Baseball Champions). You see, Click is a huge supporter of the University of Colorado Buffalos. He is so committed that you will never see him on the links dressed in anything other than black and gold with plenty of buffalos here and there. The only thing that probably saved me from his stomping my ball into the turf from time to time is that one of my other sons graduated from Boulder.
For this week's article, I am just going to review the course for you. Enjoy, and after you read it, go to the COURSE REVIEW section of the SFG site and enjoy reviews of other courses in the Springs and even a few in Maui, Hawaii. Oh, I did not finish in the money, but Click took third net with gross scores of 86 and 100. I shot my handicap, but at least I broke 100 both days. That's progress. The wild thing is that the day I shot 95 I had two eights and one ten. Consistent? Not!
VALLEY HI MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
This golf course was constructed in 1956 as a private club. In 1957 the City purchased it. The 18 hole green fees are among the lowest you will find in the state for this quality. Resident fee is $21.50, Non-resident $28.50. Riding carts are $23 for 18 holes. Nine hole play is welcome. You definitely should play this course if you never have before or are a visitor to the Pikes Peak region.
CLUBHOUSE AND MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL
The course SFG ratings are as follows: Seniors (sandstone) 6.84, Men's (blue) 7.84, Championship (black) 8.84 , Ladies/juniors (green) 5.84. The course has gotten away from terminology of gender and ability and now sets colors according to your golfing handicap, which is nice since it shows you where you should be teeing off from. Black 6 or less, Blue 7 to 18, Sandstone 19 to 29, Green 29 and up. This works really well for seniors who have plus 18 handicaps because sometimes you can actually reach the greens in regulation. I understand that Jack O'Brien, General Manager and director of the teaching staff, was the creator of the new system, though it is not 100% his idea. The Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo, Colorado has a similar scorecard.
 MIKE NORTHERN PGA HEAD PROFESSIONAL |
 JACK O'BRIEN GENERAL MANAGER |
Many golfers make the mistake of believing this course is a rather easy one, but it actually has in total more bunkers, hazards, and other opportunities to get into trouble than most courses across the country. In total there are 24 hazards and 13 bunkers and 10 out-of-bounds that can get you.
 FIVE PAR NUMBER 17 FROM THE TEE |
 FIVE-PAR NUMBERS 17 APPROACH TO THE GREEN |
There are three testy three pars that offer you the opportunity to send your ball swimming. Numbers 5 and 14 are good candidates, as is number 17, to do the ol' "tin cup" routine.
 THREE PAR NUMBER FIVE |
 THREE-PAR NUMBER 14 |
The fairways are in good condition as are the greens. Most fairways are level, so you can't blame your double bogies on bad. The greens? Good size targets, but several will send you home crying, especially number 17 and 18. There is not an easy putting surface on the course, so your judgment will come into play. Remember, your ball is suppose to break away from the mountains, and Pikes Peak looms in the near distance.
At various times of the year wild life is in abundance. You may see ducks, fox, and geese. Even swallows choose Valley Hi as a habitat.
 SWALLOW NEST AT NUMBER FIVE SHELTER |
 FOUR PAR #18 GREEN THE MOST DIFFICULT |
The teaching staff includes Mike and Jack as well as assistant pros Scott Laurie and Ramon Habel. All are highly skilled and personable, so call for a lesson. The cost will not break your bank. Julie Wick is a full time associate in the pro shop and you'll see Al Porter and Hal Lindfelt from time to time as well. Al and Hal are members of the infamous POOPs.
 RAMON HABEL |
 JULIE WICK |
 AL PORTER |
 HAL LINDFELT |
| In closing, one last thing. As you motor up the driveway to the club house go slowly and respect the graveyard on your right and note the messages on the headstones. They may or may not apply to you and your game. |  |
Directions: Take I-25 to the Martin Luther King (Hwy 24) bypass on the south side of town and go east, which is the only way you can go. The bypass ends at Chelton Road where you take a left (that's going north). The golf course entrance is about a half mile where you will take a left. Watch your speed. The police love to lay in wait at the entrance, but they usually catch people speeding down the street from the north.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: john@SeniorFriendlyGolf.com
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