Golfing Montana�s Interstate 90by Anthony L. ScaggsStanding on the curb, I glanced up checking for my golf clubs, computer, and luggage as the van pulled away. Like a sentinel, straight and tall in front of Buckingham Palace, stood my hard case as though it knew that its sole function was to protect the delicate instruments that brought so much joy and at times pain--my golf clubs. I turned back and looked across the road, past the tall trees and the ocean like meadow, over the mountains and into the blue, blue sky of Montana. The longer the delay, the more I could extend this mesmerizing adventure. Gathering my gear, reluctantly, I entered the terminal. I went upstairs to the restaurant. Staring past the tarmac, captivated by Big Sky, Montana, I could not believe that this golf trip was over! Munching on a salad my mind raced back to the beginning of the adventure trying to savor and hard wire every moment into my memory banks. There I was at the baggage claim area wondering if my luggage made the trip. Those who travel frequently know the feeling. At first, it is a game of hide and seek. Then a slight tinge of anxiety as more and more of your fellow passengers grab their luggage and head for the exit. This anxiety turns into full panic as the belt stops, and the flashing red light is turned off. You realize that you are the only passenger left. Not this day, the luggage gods must have claimed enough sacrifices. The hard golf case burst through the black orifice. My computer in hand and my golf clubs rounding the bend, I relaxed. The arrival of my clothes was a bonus. I loaded my clubs and luggage into the van and we headed for Red Mountain Lodge, off Interstate 90 and worth the trip. I dined at the Old Piney Dell. STILLWATER GOLF COURSE
OVERLAND/BIG TIMBER GOLF COURSE
Stopping at this verdant, family oriented, moderately challenging golf course may be one of the best stops on your road trip. This beautiful course, appealing surroundings, and charming town are a rare hole-in-one. HEADWATERS PUBLIC GOLF COURSEHit the golf ball long and straight, and you are in trouble. Tiger Woods would shake his head at this statement. The Headwaters nine-hole golf course is 2,957 yards long and ideal for working your woods or tuning up your irons. Two of the holes are over 500 yards and one hole is 99 yards. The rest are in between with lots of twists and turns--great place to take beginners or someone who wants to work the ball or improve the accuracy of their irons. Do you open or close your stance to fade or draw the ball? Do you keep a parallel stance and change your grip a quarter of a turn to open or close the club's face in order to fade or draw the ball? Which club do you use for a 99-yard shot to the green? I have a 100-yard wedge that I use. Part of my course strategy is to select my approach shots so that I am between 100 to 125-yards of the green. I have a club that will get me to the green and give me a chance at a birdie or a par. This course is a great to find out how accurate and consistent you are with your irons and for the more advanced player to hone their skills. It is also a great place to bring beginners. BRIDGER CREEK GOLF COURSEBridger Creek is a treat. If only I had more time to play the entire course but I was leaving on a jet plane in couple of hours. My usual routine is to stretch, go to the putting green and then the driving range. When I saw the driving range, all I wanted to do was hit balls on that thick, green lawn with the mountain range as a backdrop. I did more looking than practicing. Mark Holiday, who is the PGA Professional, has been at the Bridger Creek Golf Course for ten years and his assistant, Kylee Moullet, has been at Bridger Creek for two years. They provide Group Lessons for beginners and intermediate golfers and Junior Camps for ages 7 to 17. Private lessons are also available. Bridger Creek is six years old. The signature hole is number 16 and two other favorite holes are the 14th and 15th holes. The front nine is shorter with narrower fairways and smaller greens protected by trees. The back nine is longer with wider fairways, fewer trees, larger greens and more water to protect the greens--yes more water.
If you want to play at a public championship golf course that is challenging to all levels of golfer, surrounded by beauty, supported by a thriving community and has easy access, this is the place. It is a must. Yellowstone Country Contacts:Travel Montana, 800 548-3390, http://visitmt.com Stillwater Golf Course: South off Route 78, Columbus, MT (406) 322-4298 Overland/Big Timber Golf Course: Exit off I-90 at Big Timber, MT (406) 932-4297 Headwaters Public Golf Course: 225 7th Ave. E., Three Forks, MT (406) 285-3700 Bridger Creek Golf Course: 2710 McIlhattan Road, Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 586-2333 Images copyright 1999 SearchWrite |
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The 3,105 yard, par 36, nine-hole golf course is adjacent to the Yellowstone River. The 200-plus members play on land donated by the town to create a family environment where young and old alike can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while strolling in a park-like setting and play golf. The designers cleverly created a 6,295 yard, 18-hole, par 72 golf course by using different tees on the same holes. The men play the first nine holes from the white tees, the women from the red tees. When the golfers complete the ninth hole, they start again on the first hole. This time the men play from the blue tees and the women from the yellow tees. This combination of tees results in a par 72, 18-hole golf course that is surrounded by water, trees, green grass, and blue sky. 
The Overland Golf Course in Big Timber is a 3,141-yard, par 36, nine-hole golf course. Like the Stillwater Golf Course, one plays from different tees to make the nine-hole course an 18 hole, 6,379 yard, par 72 course. Stark Lutcher is the golf pro and, in addition to private lessons, he teaches the Junior Golf Camps. The course is equipped with a driving range and a practice green. The land was donated by a local family with the stipulation that it be used for families. The town decided to build a golf course with the Crazy Mountains in the background. As the image shows, the grounds superintendent, Greg Curry has done a beautiful job maintaining this donation. Even the Canada geese are attracted to this golf course. 
The use of water as hazards is prevalent throughout the nine holes. The water adds to the beauty and makes the various holes more. If your drive is accurate, the course is forgiving. If your drive is errant or your second shot is misdirected then you will find yourself in the woods, in the water or in the thick, moist ruff, which in itself adds to the difficulty of the course. 
Hole #3 is a 487-yard, par 5, dogleg left. 
The 9th green, a putt away for a birdie or two for par. Hole #9 is a 498-yard, par 5. 
My partner makes the 15th green look easy. It is not. The 15th hole is a 201-yard, par 3 with water down the right and along the back. From the tee, the green looks like a cork floating in pond.