by Doug McAllister
Many folks around here remember it as Tri-City. Tri-City? The course, now Fox Hollow, was apparently owned by three cities in northern Utah County: American Fork, Lehi and Pleasant Grove. I think most agree that "Fox Hollow" has a decidedly classier ring to it.
But, regardless of how it is remembered, Fox Hollow Golf Club is about as classy a course as you will find.
It wasn't always that way. Before the new clubhouse and new name, the course sported a rundown shed-of-a-shop that, according to employees, was infested with all sorts of critters and had a basement/cart garage that spent many a day filled with water. After the old place had been torn down I happened to be speaking to one of the club pros. "Did you shed a tear or two when they knocked down your old digs?" I asked. "Hell no!" he snorted without hesitation. He then chuckled as he told me how he and others on staff teed up range balls and broke all the windows in the place just before the wrecking crew did its worst.
And the new spread is something to behold, complete with a full-service pro shop and a reception center!
A VISIT FROM THE KING
Fox Hollow has a reputation of being one of the hardest golf courses in Utah. An apocryphal account still circulates that, while on a course designing trip to Utah, The King, Arnold Palmer, played a variety of courses in the area and Fox Hollow — still named Tri-City — was on his list. After his round, the course staff wanted to know Palmer's impression of their beloved course. According to the story, Palmer noted that it was a nice course. "Too long for the weekend player," he added. Needless to say, it was probably the finest compliment that Palmer could have paid. For years thereafter, the Tri-City faithful would boast to anyone that would listen that Arnold Palmer, himself, had said their course was too hard for just anybody!
Would have been interesting to hear Palmer's assessment of the old clubhouse.
STILL A TOUGH TRACK
A tradition of solid golf continues with Fox Hollow. Never mind what the clubhouse was, the course has always been, in my opinion, a well-designed and challenging showpiece, offering players the feeling that you are away from things when actually surrounded by suburbia. And it seems to be getting better with age.
Yeah, it's a tough track — for those who insist on playing from the back tees of machismo land. 7,077 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 73.1 and a slope of 123. But, like most courses out there, the course does have three tees besides the back ones, offering an enjoyable time for players of all skill levels.
The Utah Golf Association web page describes the Hollow like this:
"Old style golf course, with water on 5 holes. A premium is placed on the tee shot on most holes, with length and accuracy both required to score well. Many trees and few bunkers with a beautiful view of the Wasatch Mountains."
Most of the individuals who seem to have a problem with Fox Hollow hate its length. Add to that some narrow fairways, lined with old, full-size trees and it's easy to see why many would rather go elsewhere. Fine with me if they do.
TOP-NOTCH PRACTICE FACILITY
Fox Hollow also sports one of the best practice facilities that I have ever seen. You won't find AstroTurf-covered-cement hitting pads to jangle your arms and destroy your clubs if you happen to hit it a little fat. The driving range, planted with natural grass, is also fully lighted for after dark practice.
Fox Hollow Golf Club is a 5-star public course that is well worth the visit. Play 9 or 18 and, given the challenging nature of the course, you'll want to...
Hit 'Em Long and Straight!
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