|
Vail, Tee and MeSonnenalp Golf Club At SingletreeBy Anthony ScaggsDecisions, decisions, decisions—do I golf in the morning and ski in the afternoon or ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon? What a life! At the Sonnenalp Resort in Vail our only decisions were what sport to play first and where to eat. With the Sonnenalp Golf Club nearby this is one of the few golf resorts located in a place where I can participate in two of my favorite sports, golf and skiing. Doug Wall, the Head Professional at the Sonnenalp Golf Club, must have thought the same thing. When he graduated from Vanderbilt, he went west to find “gold in them there hills.” Skiing the hills of Colorado looking for those illusive nuggets, he soon realized that the gold nuggets were in the form of golf balls. Doug Wall is very personable and loves to talk about his staff as well as his Golf Club. He has every right to be proud. The 18 hole Scottish links-style course was rated by Ski magazine as one of the top three mountain resorts courses in the U.S. Golf Digest has listed it among the top100 resort courses in the country. Colorado Golf magazine named the Sonnenalp Golf Club as one of the three best golf courses in the state. The Golf for Women magazine shared the same opinion ranking it as one of the top three courses for women. The club, open to the public, has Championship tees, intermediate tees, member’s tee and forward tees. Respectively, the yardage is 7059, 6423, 5907 and 5293. While I was there, walking was allowed. The Golf Club provided pull carts as well as golf carts. After talking with Doug Wall, I headed for the course. The staff had a cart and clubs waiting for me. The rental clubs are Titleist DCI woods and irons. As usual, I headed straight for the Driving Range and the Putting Green. I quickly got the feel of the irons, even the three iron. The woods took me a little longer.
The first two holes shattered my daydream. The first hole is a long par 5 with homes to the right and a street to the left. The tee boxes are strategically located on the left along the road. This is to insure that one cannot see the full length of the hole. You can only imagine what treats lie ahead. If you hook, draw or pull your ball to the left, you will be on the road. If you can control the travel of your ball down the road for about 560 yards, there is an exit ramp off the road onto the green’s apron. I am surprised that someone has not put a sign at this off ramp, “Exit Ramp for Errant Balls”. Since we know for a fact that golf balls cannot hear no matter how loud we talk to them whether in flight or once they hit the ground, maybe they cannot read either (Yes, Virginia, people talk to their golf balls). Back to the tee box on Hole 1. I used my three wood instead of my driver. I noticed that the ridge sloped down into a valley, which took another drop. I could not see beyond the drop. I decide to lay the ball in the valley just before the drop. My second shot had to go through a narrow gully. I stayed to the right because the yardage diagram indicated water on the left. Also, the 26-yard deep tear-shaped green is more inviting coming in from the right. A bunker and the pond are on the left. Hole number 2 is cut into the side of a hill and they did not bother to fill the ravine on the left side. The hole is a dogleg left with three bunkers protecting the green on the front and the back. Even the forward tees are teased by the edge of the ravine. You could lay up with a chip shot and avoid the ravine entirely but who lays up on a par 3! This is your big chance for an easy birdie. By the way, ignore the slight wind that is blowing into your face or right to left. You guessed it, right into the ravine. I asked Doug Wall about the hardest holes on the course. He mentioned number 3 hole because of the size and location of the fairway bunker. Once I cleared the ravine on number two, the bunker greeted me on number three. From the tee box it looks like they could hold spring break in it. I tried to stay to the left of the bunker. I did not. On the flight over, I read an article on how to hit out of fairway bunkers. How fortuitous, I had a chance to practice. HOLE # 8
There is a dress code and a Pro Shop where you can attire yourself in elegant fashions at a moderate price. The Low Season is April to June 16 and from September 27 to November 7. The High Season is between June 17 to September 26. At Twilight time the rates are reduced in both the High and Low Season. Also, there are a variety of rates for the golf lessons to match the needs and expense of the client. Rental clubs are available. For Further Information Contact: Sonnenalp Resort of Vail: Sonnenalp Golf Club at Singletree: IMAGES: Copyright 1999 SearchWrite |
|
TM
At other driving ranges, I found
baskets or buckets even pyramids of balls. This is the first range where I
found mini-Titleist golf bags filled with range balls. I guess the old saying
simple pleasures for simple people is true. Initially, I was distracted. I kept
looking at the ski slope within arms reach.
The challenge and fun of playing the Sonnenalp Golf Club at
Singletree is only exceeded by the hospitality and friendliness of the Head
Professional and the staff. 
If you love the beach and the blue sky, you will love
this course. It has lots and lots of sand (See Hole #8) and plenty of water to
cool you down (See Hole #6). Bring your suntan lotion and snorkel.