Tee Time: Alpine Meadows is open for the season

Published 9:32 am Friday, June 16, 2023

Hello, golfers. Welcome to Alpine Meadows for the 2023 season.

The golf course opened in mid-April, but spring snow hampered play on a daily basis into the month of May — so it seemed — keeping golfers home by the fire. Now, with mid-June sunshine and only a smattering of thundershowers, those same golfers are coming out of the woodwork.

Aesthetically, the course is looking good from the fairways and greens to the front entrance at the clubhouse. The new pole fence that was constructed in front of the clubhouse last year appears to have started a members’ resolution of sorts to making the front entrance more appealing and welcoming to the public. Thanks to the greens crew, volunteers and the use of Wellens General Contractors equipment, weeds, debris and old tree trunks disappeared, and a graveled cart path and parking with designated bumper blocks appeared, giving the immediate area a facelift.

Then too, since last season a new entry gate designed and built by Chad Stangel is in its finishing stage, and a tall flagpole flying the American flag centered near the Alpine Meadows sign adds a patriotic touch.

New on the course are nine yardage signs at each ‘back’ tee box, both for the first and second nine. Those golfers new to the course, and who are playing the middle or front tees, will need to refer to their score card for yardage information.

The footbridge that crosses Trout Creek to the No. 9 tee box has been replaced with a much sturdier one, and it looks great too.

Nowadays you’ll see more golfers using golf carts, but there are still the walkers who are carrying their clubs or pushing a pull-cart. However you maneuver the course, the rewards of playing the game are beneficial physically and mentally. As one novice golfer exclaimed on her first day out, “I can drive as far as I can putt. I think I’m getting it.” Now that’s a healthy mental attitude. Too bad that Mark Twain didn’t see it that way when he remarked, “A good walk spoiled.”

Speaking of golf carts: On a recent Monday, 12 new — gray in color, and easy to keep clean — rental carts arrived. The old blue ones were put to rest. Belinda Kunz, who has worked in the clubhouse in years past, and is president of the ladies group, can vouch for the need for new carts.

“After many years of use there were only three carts we could depend on out of the last five that were deemed operable.”

Tournaments are scheduled for the next few months. A list is posted at the clubhouse. It’s a good idea to check the dates if you have plans to play at that time. The Wednesday Night Skins began play in May, and will continue through the summer. All are invited to join. The ladies still claim Tuesday as “Ladies Day.” New golfers are welcome.