GOLF NOTES: The Links holding tournament unlike any other
The Links Golf Club in Post Falls has created a tournament this weekend with the Masters in mind.
The course will be set up as much as possible like Augusta National — particularly the greens, for the inaugural “King of The Links.”
There is no entry fee, though golfers will have to pay greens fees. It’s an 18-hole tournament, and golfers can play Saturday and/or Sunday. If they play both days, their best 18-hole score will be used.
The tourney is open to amateurs and professionals. The low gross winner will receive $500, courtesy of The Links owner Richard Baiter.
Golfers will play from the blue (back) tees. The Links plays 7,433 yards from the tips.
“It’s not going to be easy, but good players will have some fun with it,” said Darrell Hull, director of golf at The Links.
Hull said the greens are being made faster to match the speed of the greens at Augusta. He said the greens should be up to 12 1/2 or 13 on the Stimpmeter by Saturday.
Hull said four of the greens at The Links (on holes 6, 12, 13 and 16) were built to the exact dimensions (or at least, as close as possible) to those at Augusta National.
(He said two other greens are similar to those at Pinehurst No. 2, and two more are like ones at Pine Valley).
The par-6 ninth hole will be stretched to 777 yards. It normally plays from 650 to 680 yards.
Information: 777-7611
Circling Raven opens today: One day after being open to Coeur d’Alene Tribal members only, Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley opens to the public today.
According to a news release, Director of Golf Tom Davidson has everyone returning as clubhouse staff and Superintendent Brian Woster has a crew of 25 on the course, grooming, mowing greens, tee boxes and fairways, making repairs to cart paths and even cleaning up the “gifts” left all over by resident elk herds.
Greens fees remain the same as they’ve been for the past decade, early season rates at $75 Friday through Sunday and $60 Monday through Thursday. Carts, GPS and full use of the practice area are included in the greens fee.
Information: 800-523-2464, ext. 7223 or CDACasino.com.
Idaho Club now open: Thanks to a mild winter and early spring, the Idaho Club outside Sandpoint is officially open for play.
A special winter rate of $65, which includes greens fees and a cart, will be available until May 15.
The only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Idaho will be semi-private in 2016, which means the public can play it but there are also still members.
Information: 265-2345