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Strangely
enough
sometimes
being in the
middle of
nowhere can
be a
blessing in
Utah. (no
pun
intended)
Out of the
way places,
that you
might only
zip through
with no more
than a pit
stop for a
cup of
coffee,
while
hurrying to
more well
known
destinations,
many of
Utah's small
towns hold
interesting
golf courses
that are
well worth a
look.
Roosevelt
Golf Club is
most
definitely
on the list
of rural
Utah's
excellent
golf
courses, two
wildly
different
nines make
for an
interesting
contrast for
shot making
from the
outward
nine, to
holes coming
in.
Beginning on the opening holes, it is heavily apparent that the towering
old trees
that line
each fairway
will come in
to play
sooner or
later.
Defining
each playing
corridor,
trees give
the course a
stout
look of
classic
country
clubs more
famous or
storied in
many players
minds, and
course feels
like you
have played
it before.
But don't
get to
comfortable,
demands on
the driver
to get the
ball into
play are a
must.
Players
hitting it
left or
right from
the tee will
quickly
become
acquainted
with low
punch shots
to recover
from the
trees. While
the tress
are
plentiful,
the outward
holes reward
good shots,
while only
the worst
slice or
hook will
land you in
a labyrinth
of wood.
From the
10th tee it
may appear
you are in
for much of
the same
tree lined
trouble that
the front
nine dished
out, but a
few holes in
reveals a
whole
different
golf course
that what
you had been
playing.
Beginning
with the 220
Yard Par 3
13th,
players are
greeted with
a massive
and daunting
shot from an
elevated tee
about 200
feet above
the green.
The course
takes a wild
dip into a
red-rock
lined
valley, more
reserved for
courses in
Southern
Utah or
Scottsdale
than in
Roosevelt,
Utah. In
striking
contrast the
course takes
on a whole
different
feel on the
next 4
holes. The
Par 5 14th
begins with
a difficult
230 yard
carry into a
prevailing
wind to
reach a
generous
landing
area. The
second shot
is a
thinker, a
split
fairway, and
two routes
to the
green, take
the high
road and
shorten the
hole, or low
road for a
safe, open
approach.
Take the time to seek out a few strange and unknown rural Utah courses,
you may find
yourself, on
a wonderful,
un-crowded,
inexpensive,
fun,
relaxing,
and highly
enjoyable
layout!
Brian
Oar-
Utahfairways.com
Staff Writer |
