Page 68 - Flathead Beacon // 3.25.15

68 | MARCH 25, 2015
SPORTS
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THE
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TOGGERY
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It’s officially spring, which means golf season has arrived, or at least is around the corner. Several courses have opened across Northwest Montana due to an unseasonably warm, dry winter.
There are over 70 courses spread across the state, but arguably nowhere else has as good a selection as the Flat- head Valley, which has been ranked one of the top 50 destinations in the U.S. for golf enthusiasts.
Here’s a breakdown of the local fair- ways and greens that make this such a popular hub for golfers.
BUFFALO HILL
Kalispell | 756-4530 | golfbuffalohill.com | 27 holes
Dating back to its creation in the 1930s, Buffalo Hill has been one of the most popular and scenic destinations for golfers in Montana. Tucked in the heart of Kalispell on a hilly area where buffalo once roamed, the golf course has two op- tions: the Cameron Nine and the Cham- pionship 18. There’s also a large driving range on site, just minutes from down- town, which is an ideal spot to iron out the kinks before hitting the course. The original nine-hole course was completed in August 1939 after Henry Good volun- teered his efforts for nearly two years, building the course for the city with the help of the Works Progress Administra- tion, a New Deal agency that put unem- ployed people to work for public proj- ects. “I might say at the beginning that Kalispell has one of the finest golf cours- es in the Northwest,” Good told the As- sociated Press at the time. The Champi- onship 18 was built in 1976 and opened the follow year.
Status: Cameron Nine and practice facilities tentatively scheduled to open March 27. Championship 18 as soon as conditions allow.
CABINET VIEW
Libby | 293-7332 | golflibby.com | 18 holes
With the Cabinet Mountains rising in the background, Cabinet View em- bodies Montana golf — fairways wrap- ping around trees and lakes with the ex- pansive mountain range in the forefront and wildlife wandering throughout. This course opened in 1955. In recent years the front nine has been refashioned with new green and tee box designs while the back nine remains a unique challenge that forces golfers, especially long-ball hitters, to adjust to the scenery. There’s a full practice facility with driving range and practice greens.
Status: Front nine and driving range opened March 13.
EAGLE BEND
Bigfork | 837-7310 | eaglebendgolfclub.com | 27 holes
Few courses in the state, as well as the region, rival this 27-hole venue near the north shores of Flathead Lake. Eagle Bend has been rated among the top 50 courses in the U.S and it’s easy to see why. It offers all the admired qualities of Montana’s outdoors, including fairways that wind through a forested landscape in front of soaring mountains. William Hull designed the original 18 holes three decades ago; the Eagle 9 was completed in 1984 and the Osprey 9 in 1988. The Bear 9 was designed by Nicklaus Design and opened in 1995. The practice facili- ties include everything from a chipping and putting green to an expansive driv-
The Original Spring
March 27, 28 & 29, 2015
ADMISSION:
David Mosby 406-471-0972 $10 for 3-day Weekend Pass
$5 PER DAY
A golfer watches his shot on the Osprey course at Eagle Bend Golf Club.
GREG LINDSTROM FLATHEAD BEACON
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