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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Where To Play

How Hot Is Too Hot??

With temperatures soaring into the triple digits this weekend, our family retreated into the comfort of AC, getting projects done in the early morning and then shutting up the house so as not to let the cool out. Of course, later in the heat of the day we ran out of needed supplies (beer and ice cream), so I ran to the store, braving the desert landscape like Lawrence of Spokania.

However, as I passed Qualchan golf course, what did I see? Most holes on the front side full of golfers. Only 2 had umbrellas to at least keep the scorching sun off their skull. So here is my question... what's going on here? I consider myself to be as hardcore of a golf nut as anyone I know. I've played in crazy winds, in torrential rains, even when it was briefly snowing. But 100 degrees? Isn't that too hot? Am I a hot weather wimp, or are those folks out of their sun-lovin minds?

I'm going to say mid-90's would be my tipping point. Plus, if that's the forecast, don't you wake up early and play at 5:00 AM? Or play 9 holes after sundown? If we lived in Vegas or Scottsdale and had no choice, so be it. But you know living in Spokane it won't stay that hot that long. Of course, in a few months winter will be here, perhaps I'll change my tune then. My advice: at least play Indian Canyon or Downriver, where you can get some shade on almost every hole. Or, like me, just watch the Buick Open and have an iced tea next to the swamp cooler. Oh, by the way, Tiger won. Go figure.



Where To Play

Eric has an 8 handicap and lives near Qualchan. He was born and raised in Spokane and one of the reasons he loves the area is the quality and variety of the golf courses, and the good people who play them. His home course is the Creek at Qualchan and the best course he’s ever played was Oregon’s Bandon Dunes. Some day he’d like to play Cypress Point.