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Journal Entry #55 |
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This week is going to be crammed packed with activity because next Monday I'm off to Montana to review nine golf courses in five days in Missoula, Montana and the Flathead Valley in the shadow of Glacier National Park. Anyway, I wanted to get a new journal entry up before I leave. That's why you are going to get three for one this week.
AL KALY SHRINE GOLF TOURNAMENT
After two days of cold, wet and windy weather in southern Colorado it finally warmed up just in time for tee off at the Desert Hawk golf course in West Pueblo. The course was in great shape and the temperature hit 81 degrees with mild wind from various directions. I had the pleasure of playing with three gentlemen, Ron Mathews, Dave Schmicher and Ron Peaton.
The golf committee chairman (and committee) was Bill Stoner. This is his last year to manage the event, and he did a fantastic job. There were lots of contests and door prizes. He had lots of help at the event, specifically from Rose Enyeart who was in charge of the tournament day crew and pre-tournament details. Steve Johnson was helpful with door prizes. Below Bill awards trophy to the first place contestant.
The highlight of the day was the $100,000 shootout held on the 18th green following play. Rather than four golfers qualifying on a three par, this tournament opted for drawing four names. That saved lots of time. The same was done for the $2,500 putting contest. Unfortunately no one won either prize.
RANDY GREGORY, POTENTATE
UPSWING GOLF PRODUCT REVIEW
I recently got my hands on a number of clubs from the Upswing golf club manufacturing company located in Woodinville, Washington. At least that's where the clubs came from. Now about the Upswing Golf company. They have a contract with Advantage Golf this year to provide certificates for a free driver, wedge, or putter to golfers in tournaments Advantage Golf serves. I, of course, represent Advantage Golf in southern Colorado.
Recently I took their clubs out to test drive at the Champions Golf and Games driving range here in Colorado Springs. On the range I tried their standard driver as well as their oversized club. The standard driver is the one you get for free if you have a certificate. You can email me if you would like one. GolfGuy@SeniorFriendlyGolf.com. On the range I did better with the standard driver than with the 400; however, at the Al Kaly tournament the oversize did a better job for me. I don't think it was the drivers but the drivee that was the problem. The seven wood performed very well as did the three wedges. The wedges are designed similar to Warrior wedges, which Advantage Golf provided to many tournaments last year. The real standout in the club assortment was their putter. It was awesome and performed very well for me. I made several long puts to save pars and even a birdie. The head weight was just right for me and it is designed so you can easily scoop up the ball just in case you miss a put. This is important for us seniors and others having occasional back pain. Next week I celebrate my 69th birthday and don't anticipate the challenge of the back to get any better from here on out.
DESERT HAWK GOLF COURSE
A few miles west of Pueblo, Colorado is "West" Pueblo. It's an area where there are many retirement homes as well as full time residents. The community is growing fast and has plenty of room to expand to the west until it hits the many prisons found close to Canon City, Colorado.
The course was in top condition including fairways, greens, and even the rough. Desert Hawk is what I call a "pasture" course in that there are no dramatic hills and valleys. The layout is pretty much flat. The course is well bunkered and there is generally plenty of room for slight fades and draws. That's hooks and slices for us double-digit handicappers. Water is not a problem. In fact, I can recall only one hole with a water pond.
It's worth the hour-long trip from Colorado Springs to play Desert Hawk. Their cub professional, Dave Lewis, and other personnel are friendly and helpful. One the SFG rating scale, I would say their rating is 7.5 friendly. For more about SFG go to COURSE REVIEWS. You will enjoy playing Desert Hawk, so give Dave a call for a tee time. 719-547-2280.
Got to go now. Stay tuned for all the wonderful news and views of Montana golf in a week or so.
John K. Darling, Founder of SeniorFriendlyGolf may be contacted by email at GolfGuy@SeniorFriendlyGolf.com or mail to P.O. Box 38951, Colorado Springs, CO 80937.