by Doug McAllister
In 2002 the world came to Utah in the form of the Winter Olympic Games. Big stuff! Venues were built all over the norther part of the state for the various events. For Cross Country Skiing a site was chosen in the picturesque Heber Valley, southeast of Salt Lake City. The west mountains of the valley offered the ideal terrain for skiing and the Soldier Hollow Cross Country Ski Center was born.
Wanting to take full advantage of the beautiful setting, it wasn't a very big jump for the State of Utah to propose further developing the area for year-round activities. And what activity would benefit from the gentle rolling terrain favored by cross country skiers? Why, golf...of course!
Soldier Hollow now sports two 18-hole courses designed by Gene Bates, renowned for his collaborations with Fred Couples.
This year I made it a goal to play at Soldier Hollow and my three sons and I accomplished that goal earlier this week.
For our round we chose the Silver Course. In keeping with an Olympic theme, the other course is...you guessed it...named the Gold Course. Now, if they would put in an additional 18 and call it the Bronze Course, we'd have a complete medal set.
SOME GREAT STUFF: THE POSITIVES ABOUT SOLDIER HOLLOW SILVER
Gene Bates has designed four courses in northern Utah, all within just a few miles of each other in Wasatch, Utah and Salt Lake Counties. Having now played them all, they have in common some incredible links-style designing and bunkering. This is especially true of Soldier Hollow. The gently rolling hills of the slopes are wonderfully punctuated with bunkers that add both challenge and beauty.
The setting, with its views of the Wasatch Mountains all around, is nothing short of spectacular. Add to that a terrific clubhouse — complete with one of the finest, friendliest staffs to be found anywhere — and a country-club-like attention to greens, fairways and overall groundskeeping and you have a definite must-play golf destination.
From the standpoint of playability, the course is top notch, featuring yardages ranging from a 7,355 yard track from the back Black tees (rating 73.2, slope 131) to a course of 5,532 from the front Red tees (rating 68.3, slope 111). Each tee offers its share of challenge for golfers of every skill level. Really good stuff!
NOW, FOR THE DOWNSIDE: MY NEGATIVES FOR SOLDIER SILVER
We teed off at 6:56 a.m., just in time for the sun to peek over the eastern horizon. That would have been just fine, except for the unfortunate fact that the Silver Course, especially its first six holes, is configured primarily on an east/west orientation. I cannot describe how absolutely discouraging it was to make good contact on the tee and in the fairway and not have the first clue where or how far the ball had gone!
Might seem like a small thing. However, great golf course designers are usually careful to consider such things as sunlight when determining hole orientation. Having played the other Bates courses in the area, it seems obvious that this is a designer that should know better. It was more than a little confusing, given the visibility and fanfare surrounding the Soldier Hollow complex, that such a blunder would be made.
WRAP-UP
Can I recommend the Silver at Soldier Hollow? Definitely! I would, however, strongly recommend taking care when scheduling a tee time, unless, of course, you routinely carry special sunglasses designed for watching sunspots or eclipses or what have you.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars out of a possible 5
You will want to try Soldier Hollow and when you do, be sure to...
Hit 'em Long and Straight!
No comments:
Post a Comment