◆ Call 885-3338 for Pro Shop.
This past winter all of the jokes about how long the snow was on the ground weren’t jokes at all. It was a literal six months of snow coverage. On top of that, many areas of the valley received record amounts of snow, including Afton which topped out at 187 inches. Under that 15+ feet of snow are some area golf courses just hoping to see the sun again. For Star Valley View (SVV) Golf Superintendent Bryce Burton, it can be nerve wracking.
“You have to remember that grass is like a little person, it’s a living and breathing thing,” he responded as part of an interview for the Weekday Wakeup. “When it’s under water for 180 days it’s not going to live much longer so it was a stressful time to make sure things were green and growing when the snow is gone. We have some magical chemicals to keep snow mold away and things like that.”
The design of the course was also beneficial. “We are lucky on our course because we’re built on a a slope and it drains,” Burton added. “There was a river this year. But, it doesn’t take a whole lot of time once the snow is gone to get out there.”
Once the sun did indeed show, there was even time to squeeze in a spring golf tournament for SVHS. Trying to schedule such a thing also involves a lot of guesswork.
“There are text messages and phone calls between coaches and myself and there was definitely snow when they had their meet on May 11,” Burton continued. “It was a great tournament and things were mown down and we were able to have the kids have a good day.”
SVV is now rolling along and it still one of the few places you can golf in an affordable manner over the course of a season.
“Our golf is affordable,” Burton stated. “You can buy a pass for $350. That’s to play as much as you want. I’ve played courses that cost that much for 18 holes. Now, we are not that kind of course but we’re a great course with great greens designed by Johnny Miller. If you want unlimited golf this is a great way to do that. A lot of places aren’t doing that anymore.”
The 18-hole course also has a pro shop that is currently open at 9 a.m. but will open at 7 a.m. once summer temperatures eliminate frost in the early mornings.
“You can buy green fees, cart passes; anything you need,” Burton said. “There is a junior clinic the last three weeks of June for ages 8-16. If you don’t get into the clinic, there’s always free range balls for kids on Tuesdays in June.”
A Women’s League plays a scramble format on Tuesday mornings and a Men’s League allows guys to play when they want during the week and then post the score for competition.
“Summer hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at night,” Burton said. “We’d like to encourage everyone to come out and hit the ball. If you can find me out there, I’ll wager a soda with whoever wants to.”
For more information contact the SVV Pro Shop at 307-885-3338.
