GOLF COURSE REVIEW: UTAH'S MURRAY PARKWAY GOLF COURSE

by Doug McAllister

Nestled at the south junction of I-215 and I-15 in Murray, Utah, you will find Murray Parkway Golf Course. No doubt, if you've driven east on I-215 from Salt Lake International Airport, heading for points south, you've seen the course on the south side of the road. You can't miss the giant golf ball perched in the middle of the course's driving range.

So, let's talk golf at the Parkway — as this promises to be a fairly short post!

To put it in a nutshell — which is exactly how you feel while playing this claustrophobic little course — Murray Parkway, in my view, is 18 holes laid out like a can of sardines from hell. And, worse still, the feeling when playing the course is that you have to hold back or you might hit something! You might hit a car on the interstate. You might hit one of the many buildings that borders the course on virtually every side. And, most pointedly, on the 9th hole the golfer has the distinct feeling that a well-struck approach might end up in clubhouse! To borrow a phrase from the immortal Rooster Cogburn of True Grit fame, this course is "tighter than Dick's hatband!"

Now, I can already hear the arguments from the Parkway faithful: "It's a good track, given the land that they had to work with!" But that's the point isn't it? Most fine volumes on golf course design agree, location is of paramount importance when choosing the site for a course. Accordingly, I would argue that making the most of a bad location spells trouble from the outset!

And then there is another argument that is sure to arise: "Maybe you just need to control your golf ball better!" Funny! That one is also applicable at your local Putt-Putt, with which the Parkway has too much in common!

Skip this one.

Besides there are too many fine courses to choose from within a short distance to waste any time at Murray Parkway. Try Wingpointe, Arthur Hill's fabulous course adjacent to the International Airport. Continuing east on I-215 (without stopping at the Sardine Can just discussed!) and you'll find Gene Bates' wonderful Old Mill Golf Club. Head south a bit and you'll practically run right into Bates' other fine Salt Lake County course, Riverbend. I could go on and on.

But I won't.

Murray Parkway gets one star out of a possible five from me for one very good reason: Because if you hit 'em straight there, you had better NOT hit 'em long!