Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base, California


The Tee and Trees Golf Course is a 9-hole, Par 36 course located next to the Marine Base.  The designer is unknown and it first opened in 1956.
 

  The entrance to the golf course is located just before the main gate and requires going through a culvert under the railroad tracks.  Just follow the signs and you’ll be there with no problem.  This is truly a desert golf course.  The tees, fairways and greens are Bermuda grass surrounded by desert landscape.  The layout of the golf course is next to railroad tracks and can be a little distracting.  I have played at a lot of military golf courses and many are average or above average.  But this golf course is just what a rough and tough marine needs. It is definitely for the true die hard golfer.
 
 
The golf course is also open to the public.

Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California


The Desert Winds Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course located on the Marine Base.  The course measures 6,930 yards from the back tees, with a rating of 73.4 and a slope of 126.  The course was designed by Jeffrey Young and was first opened in 1966.
The golf course is a championship rated course that is located in the southern California high desert among the palm trees, clear air and incredible sunny weather.  The course has water in play on six holes and the only golf course for 50 miles.  The fairways are lined with Palm trees and lush bushes and some of the best scenic views of the surrounding mountains.  Very enjoyable and challenging.
The golf course is open to the public.

Marine Corps, Air Station Miramar, California


The MCAS Miramar Memorial Golf Course is an 18-hole, Par 72 golf course that measures 6,811 yards from the back tees with a rating of 73.0 and a slope of 132.  The course was designed by Jack Daray Jr. & Kennith Welton and first opened in 1964.
 

Bill and I found the golf course to be a long, straight and wide open layout. It is known for having the best greens in the entire county.  It was in excellent condition and challenging.  The first few holes will lull you into complacency but then the fun begins, with some tricky Par 3’s, old trees that guard the gtreens and some holes along the highway.  So straight golf shots are a must

This golf course is also open to the public.

G.M.   Robert A. Knight

Monterey Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California


The Monterey Pines Golf course is an 18-hole par 69 golf course that is near the Navy base in Monterey, CA.  The course is 5,554 yards from the back tees with a rating of 66.7 and a slope of 107.  The first 9 hole of the course were designed by Robert Muir Graves and opened in 1963.  Previously known as “Naval Postgraduate School Golf Course”.  Expanded to 18 holes in 1972 and renovated in 2009 by Mac Messier.
Known by the local golfers as “The Navy Course”, this short layout is perfect for the beginner golfer or the avid golfer to build confidence and practice.  It has two lakes, water hazards and bent grass greens that are some of the best in the area. They are hard, fast and true.

The golf course is also open to the public.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Beale Air Force Base, California

The Coyote Run Golf Course, formerly known as Recce Point Golf Course is an 18-hole Par 72 course that measures 6,824 yards from the back tees, with a rating of 72.3 and a slope of 128.  The course first opened in 1959 as a 9-hole course and was designed by Ronald Fream.  In 1998 Ronald Fream designed the back 9 holes.
The course is a “Prarie” course with quiet wildlife.  It has many trees that can affect your next shot and the fairways are a bit rough.  There are many narrow fairways and the elevated greens make for a challenging  and a relaxing round of golf.
The course is for the military and is open to the public.
Course G.M.            Kenneth Yuson       

Travis Air Force Base, California

The Cypress Lakes Golf Course is managed by the Air Force but is located outside the north gate in Vacaville, California.  This 18-hole, Par 72 course measures 6,873 yards from the back tees with a rating of 72.7 and a slope of 125.0.  The golf course opened in 1960 and was designed by Joe Finger and Bob Putman.
We found the golf course to be a straight, flat layout with trees, bunkers and hazards.  The greens were in great condition but a little slow.  It is a challenging course and it’s important that the golfer keep the ball in the fairways.
Cypress Lakes G.C. is operated for the military but is open to the public.
Dir. of Golf.              Gary M. Pucckett

Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

The Cardinal Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole, Par 72 course that measures 6,453 yards from the back tees.  The course was designed by Gary Kern and opened in 1968.
We played the golf course and found it a fairly flat layout with wide open fairways.  The greens are small and medium speed.  There are three lakes that come into play on a few holes and the wind can be a major concern.  Many of the golf course fairways are alongside the major runway but the noise is minimal.
The Cardinal Creek Golf Course is for the military and their guests.

Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois

The Willow Glen Golf Course is located near the base and is an 18-hole, par 71 course that measures 6,642 yards from the back tees. The course is rated at 72.1 and with a slope of 128, although the designer is unknown, the course first opened in 1950.
I  have played this golf course many times and found it fairly flat with some small hills and mounds.  Most of the holes are well bunkered and the greens are average in size, fast, and undulating.  The fairways are lined with large mature trees that are spaced apart with open spaces and the rough is thick and deep so accuracy is a must with many risk/reward opportunity and doglegs.  There are many water hazards and grassy areas that come into play on several holes.  The course is enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels and a real bargain for golf in the area.
The golf course is also open to the public.

Meridian Naval Air Station, Mississippi

The Ponta Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course that measures 6,595 yards from the back tees, and has a rating of 72.3 with a slope rating of 127.  The golf course first opened in 1964 but unfortunately the designer is unknown.
This very scenic course has some rolling terrain that can cause uneven lies, but most of the terrain is flat.  The fairways are mostly wide open, and there are only a few sand bunkers.  The greens are average size and some of them are undulating.  There are ponds and creeks that come into play on five holes.  This course is a challenge for golfer of all skill level and very enjoyable.
The golf course is also open to the public.

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado

The Air Force Academy has two outstanding golf courses on the Academy grounds:  The Eisenhower Blue Course and the Eisenhower Silver Course.
The Blue Course-is an 18 hole championship course  This par 72 course measures 7,301 yards from the back tees with a rating of 73.6 and a slope of 135.  The course was designed by the great Robert Trent Jones Sr. and first opened in 1963.
I played this course in the fall and it was in excellent condition.  It is the most challenging of the two courses.  There are long holes, wide fairways, doglegs, bunkers, good seeded greens and water on one hole.  The layout has no two holes the same with the most amazing wildlife throughout the courses.  The greens are as tough as they come.  The beautiful mountain views and tall trees are just majestic.  This is a must play and probably the best in the Air Force inventory.
The Silver Course, another 18-hole par 72 course also on the Academy grounds, measuring 6,510 yards from the back tees with a rating of 70.6 and a slope of 127.  The course was designed by Frank Hummel and opened in 1977.
This course is easier on your game, with light bunkering and three holes with water.  But it’s still demanding with a premium placed on accuracy rather than length.  A great mountain course with elevated tees and sloping fairways which can get very tight.  Remember all putts break away from the mountains. 
Both the Blue and the Silver golf courses are well worth the trip and the price and are open to the military and their guests only.

China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, California

The China Lake Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course that measures 6,912 yards with a rating of 72.4 and a slope of 125.  The course was designed by William F. Bell and first opened in 1956.
The golf course is a pinnacle for golf in the high desert.  China Lake is in a beautiful valley setting with many water and sand hazards. The course was built on flat terrain but is still very challenging and is a great golfing experience in the desert.
The course is for the military only and their guests.

Fort Carson, Colorado

The Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 course that measures 6,919 yards from the back tees with a rating of 73.0 and a slope of 135.  The course was designed by Dick Phelps and was opened in 1971.
I played the course in the fall and it was not in its best condition.  This course has a challenging but fair layout, with wide open fairways and fast greens.  There are  some really fun and straight forward holes.  This is a great test for all skill levels at a good price.
This golf course is for the military and the public also.

Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, California

The Naval Golf Course, Sea Beach is located on Orangewood Avenue in Cypress, California.  There are two courses: The Destroyer Course, an 18-hole par-72 course and the Cruiser Course, a 9-hole course.
The Destroyer Course measures 6,780 yards from the back tees with a rating of 72.8 and a slope of 129.  The designer and opening year are unknown.  I found the course to be tough but fair.  Definitely challenging as there are many doglegs and water hazards on several holes.  Kikuyu rough makes finding the fairway a must.  The greens are small, fast and true. The course is a great course for golfers that like to walk.
The Cruiser Course measures 2,020 yards from the back tees.  This is a very enjoyable course, a great layout and good length.  Bunkers are in good shape with very good greens.  This is an excellent course for beginners.
Both golf courses are open to the public. 

Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois

The Rock Island Arsenal Golf Course is one of the oldest in Illinois. The course is somewhat unique in that it’s surrounded by a military installation and everyone must pass through a security gate to access the golf course. This 18-hole, Par 71 course measures 6,585 yards from the back tees, with a rating of 71.2 and a slope of 124.  Although the course designer is unknown, Colonel Stanhope E. Blunt was the founder of the golf course and the course first opened in 1897.
The course is a straight layout with bent grass greens that are medium in speed and size. The course features majestic tree lined bent grass fairways that ramble along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.  The many scenic views make this a golfing experience you won’t soon forget.  The golf course is also listed in the “National Historical Register”.
Although the course is on a military base, the public is welcome.
G.M.   Todd Flowler

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado

The Silver Spruce Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 course on the Air Base.  The course is 7,124 yards from the back tees with a rating of 71.5 and a slope of 132.  The course was designed and built by Air Force Engineers but the opening date is unknown.
We played the golf course in the fall and the views of the mountains and the trees that were starting to change colors made the round very enjoyable.  The course is a straight layout with trees, bunkers and some water hazards.  The fairways are wide, open and flat. The course will reward golfers that can keep their shots in the fairway.  The course is designed for all skill levels and a good test of one’s ability.
The golf course is open to all military and there guest only.
G.M.   J. Trace Kea

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington

The Gallery Golf Course is an 18-hole, Par 72 course that measures 6,332 yards from the back tees, and a rating of 70.2 with a slope of 122.  The golf course was first opened in 1948 but the designer is unknown.
The course overlooks the Puget Sound and features spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.  I found the views of the ocean to be outstanding.  The terrain is predominately flat on the front 9 holes with wide open fairways. The back 9 holes are hilly, tree lined and have several water hazards.  The course has sand bunkers located throughout.  The greens are small, undulating and very fast.
The golf course is also open to the public.
G.M.   Mike Fields