• Tee times are recommended.
For many years the Valli Vu Golf Course in Afton was a nine-hole municipal course that was almost sleepy at times. Punch cards for rounds carried over from two summers prior and getting a cart was for those with some extra coin in their pocket. Then came a period of time with expansion and complications and there was no golf course in Afton at all for several years until the course opened under the design of Johnny Miller and 18 holes.
With the proliferation of COVID-19 the game of golf was one of the few sports and activities that gained popularity as outdoor distancing was literally the name of the game. Now with that worldwide mess in the rear view mirror, Afton’s once little course with the signature A-frame club house is busy. Very busy.
“Things are going quite well,” stated Course Superintendent Bryce Burton. “We are very happy with the way things are at the golf course right now. I like to think of my job is getting that turf through the winter. So when the snow does melt we know what we have. Right now things are healthy and growing and looking good. Our window for golf is short but it’s good.”
In fact, Burton reported to the Town of Afton in their May board meeting that things were borderline mind-blowing for those who might have been here for quite some time.
“The course is extremely busy compared to what it used to be,” he said. “I remember one time growing up that I couldn’t walk on the course and play. Now you’d better have a tee time. We’re to the day and age where you will need a tee time. Tee times are a good idea.”
Golfers can call the pro shop at 307-885-3338 or go online and secure tee times.
“We are partnered with Golf Now so people can do that like they can across the country,” Burton added.
Burton deflects a lot of praise for the condition of the course, but he and others work diligently.
“The average day starts early,” he said. “We try to get out in front of the golfers. Our job is to not be seen. Almost every day we will be mowing the wide areas and the rough. It takes about 40 hours a week to mow that grass.”
Also the course is working to draw the interest of younger golfers to the game.
“In the past there’s been a juniors league and that’s still getting hammered out,” Burton said. “But there are range balls out there for kids to practice. A kid can come in and get a bucket of balls and go out.”
Players will notice 40 brand new golf carts on the Afton course as well.
“We’ve leased some new carts, brand new 2024’s and we invite people to come out and try them,” he continued.
So with the summer and players now in full swing, Burton encouraged people to come enjoy the game.
“We enjoy what we do,” he concluded. “We want to try and keep conditions great for people so they can have a good time. We hope people will come out and use the course. That’s what it’s there for.”
