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Golf, Kit Carson and RailroadsBy Anthony ScaggsQuestion: What do Major Ormsby, Kit Carson, Santa Claus, railroads, and golf have in common? tick, tick, tick--BONG! Answer: Carson City, Nevada. The capital of Nevada was named after Kit Carson, the legendary guide for the John C. Fremont mapping expedition. Major William Ormsby was instrumental in developing and founding the Nevada Territory. He was killed in the Pyramid Lake Wars. Also named after the Major was the Ormsby House Hotel/Casino referred to as the "Grand Old Lady". Her face-lift and expansion will be completed in 2002.
Silver Oak Golf ClubSilver Oak Golf Club, located along the Sierra Foothills, is one of the newer courses. . This par 71, 18-hole championship course sports yardage from 4,725 yards to 6,564 yards.. The course rating and slope ranges from 64.2/112 to 70.8/130. With the terrain and layout of the front nine and back nine so different it is like playing two courses. I found that very appealing. The front nine weaves its way through open areas and homes. Needlessly to say, the holes winding through the neighborhood are tight, lush and filled with water hazards. The back nine is a trek through the foothills. In the front nine, I particularly liked holes 4, 5, 6 and 9. From the championship tees, Hole #4 is a 417-yard, par 5 and is the number 1 handicap. It is long and narrow. Course management is paramount on this hole. A water hazard stretches the full length of the fairway just in front of the green. Can you do it in two, hoping that the green will hold your second shot and go for an eagle? Do you use your driver then a mid-iron to lay-up in front of the water and a short iron or a wedge to pitch onto the green for a birdie or par? Decisions, decisions -- what is a golfer to do? Hole number 5 is a 173-yard, par 3. After hole #4, it looked like a simple birdie, at most a par. So much for simple, I drove over the green. Thank goodness the grass on the backside of the green was lush or my ball would still be rolling. Golfers not suffering from hydrophobia, might by the time they finish with holes 6 and 9. Hole #6 is a 544-yard, par 5 with water, water everywhere. It is the number 5-handicap hole. The number 3-handicap hole is #9. It is a 542-yard, par 5 with an island green. To score an eagle on this hole, I hope that your drive is 300 plus yards and you can hit a 7 or 8 iron the remaining distance in order to stick the ball on the green.
Dayton Valley Golf ClubDayton Valley Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, is aptly included as one of the Divine Nine. The design incorporates water hazards, bunkers and rolling greens with the beauty of the high desert and mountain ranges. The design, maintenance, difficulty and tournament size has made Dayton Valley a Stage One PGA Tour Qualifying course for six consecutive years. Jim Kepler is the PGA Director of Golf and General Manager. He has been associated with Dayton Valley Country Club since 1991. He works closely with the Golf Course Superintendent, Sid Saloman. They want to insure that Dayton Valley maintains its excellent reputation. The facility is open year round and is semi-private with Annual Memberships. With multiple tee markers, this course accommodates players at various skill levels and can stretch the 18 hole, par 72 course from 5,161 yards to 7,218 yards. Holes 1, 2 and 3 lull one into a false sense of security. The golfer has to be accurate but one can recover from minor mistakes. I parred holes 1 and 2, as for hole number 3, oops.
From the black tees of Hole #4, the green looks friendly with background of mountains and blue sky. There is a huge bunker guarding the front in addition to the bunkers that are visible on either side. Fighting a slight wind, I was lucky to escape with a bogie. Hole number 7 is a 425-yard, Par 4. The green is 25 yards wide and 34 yards deep. From the black tees of Hole #7, the lake and the cart path smother the miniscule sliver of land that is the target from the tee, at least that image is imprinted on the mind's eye.
Dayton Hole 7 The tee shot lands safely but the feeling of relief is short lived. In preparation for the second shot to the green, one discovers that an extremely small isthmus separates you from the green that is surrounded by water. A bunker on the left and the cart path on the right protect it. On this day the wind was an added challenge. I nearly sacrificed my ball to the water god but my friend, the wind, made one more gust and carried the spinning orb to the green. Two putts later, a par was my prize. The 9th hole is a 450-yard, Par 4. The green is 22 yards wide and 38 yards deep. From the black tees of Hole #9, the mind's eye focuses on all the water and the distant flag that appears to float on an ocean. My luck ran out and my fickle friend, the wind, proved to be my downfall. Instead of going for the center of the green, I went for the flag in the far right corner (sucker!!). A double bogie was my punishment for overconfidence. Dayton Valley is picturesque, it seems like a great place to have a picnic but don't let it fool you. Holes 8, 12, 14, 16 and 18 will test one's metal and cardiovascular system. Apres Golf: The Railroad MuseumAfter golfing you might enjoy the Nevada State Railroad Museum located at the south end of town next to the Visitors' Center. It displays a collection of restored historic Virginia and Truckee Railroad equipment. Rides on the railroad are offered on various weekends in the summer. In December, Santa Claus converts the railroad to his personal train taking gift requests from children of all ages. "Chicago" Bob and Ron Gillespie are two of the 700 volunteers who support the Railroad Museum. They assist in maintaining the equipment and running the railroad. According to Ron "this is the ultimate thrill to a true railroad enthusiast." Contacts:The Nevada State Railroad Museum is located at 2180 S. Carson Street (US 395) in Carson City and it is open daily, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Admission is $2; under 18, free. Nevada Commission On Tourism Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau Images copyright 2000 SearchWrite |
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Carson City is
located in the heart of the "Divine Nine," a group of golf courses nestled
around Carson City and in Carson Valley. On my first visit, I played Silver
Oak Golf Club and Dayton Valley Golf Club.
