The wheels started turning full blast this week at the Hillcrest Golf Course, as the long-awaited renovation of this mesa-top layout began.
Preliminary prep work began a month ago and, according to the timetable, the front-nine will get it’s facelift first and is currently closed during this phase.
The back nine is open for play while the front receives it’s makeover. Once the front-nine phase is complete, renovation will flip-flop to the back nine, and the front nine will handle everyday play.
When renovation is complete, full 18-hole play will resume, depending on weather, for the remainder of 2015.
It has been 34 years since the course introduced an additional nine holes. Those nine holes saw a dedication ceremony attended by former President Gerald Ford and ambassador Leonard Firestone, who both teed off No. 1.
This renovation will add a refreshing change and challenge for current and future golfers.
Hillcrest Golf Club
After a week of rest from scheduled tournament play, action will return to area courses with the 41st annual First National Bank 1-2-3-4 Person Best Ball on Sept. 12. There is $500 in added prize purse and an entry fee of $35 per player. Handicap base will be 90 percent, and players must be registered no later than 8 a.m. on tournament morning for the team drawings. Coffee and doughnuts will wake you up starting at 7:30 a.m., and action will commence with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Scoring will be based on net only. Give Hillcrest a call at 247-1499 to see if entry space is still available. This event is also one of nine scheduled tournaments which are qualifiers for the Oct. 3rd Todd Sieger Shootout-Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors end-of-season event.
Dalton Ranch Golf Club
Dalton Ranch will heat up Sept. 19-20 with the annual Four Corners Stroke Play tournament. This is one of the most popular late-season events on the calendar. Usually this 96-player field is full early, so check with the pro shop at 247-8774 to see if slots still are open. Action will commence with tee times starting at 9:30 a.m. both days.
A reminder to all DRGC Women’s Association members, the final play day is Sept. 23 and will be followed by the end of season meeting. Put your charitable thinking caps on and look ahead to the 2016 Columbine Classic Duet Golf Tournament, as suggestions are now being accepted for beneficiaries of next year’s event. The committee would like to have time to access the goals and needs of each charity being considered. There is an application form to summit your suggestions, so give Cathy Gaskell an email shout out at cgaskell@cobaltautomation.com to receive the form and return it no later than Sept. 20.
Ladies Day Event
Sept. 1, Hillcrest
18-Hole Best Ball
1. Judy Berkholz, Janet Monell, 56.
T2. Nancy Barr, Jan Smith, 57.
T2. Char Fischer, Carol Woodward, 57.
9-Hole Best Ball
1. Doddie Abeyta, Val Munro, 25.
Hate-Em
Sept. 2, Dalton Ranch
Low Gross
1. Fran Rusk, 64.
T2. Amy Harlow and Sue Ries, 68.
Low Net
T1. Amy Brunvard and Sandy Elliott, 39.
Dave Bray has covered the local golf scene for 33 years. He can be reached at dbray3571@gmail.com
