The latest issue of Golf Digest has a great article on municipal golf (they abbreviate it as "muny", which I don't really get, but okay). The gist is that while we see tour pros on privately owned, perfectly manicured courses, the real heart and soul of golf in the US is on publicly owned, down-to-earth munis. As I've said before, in Spokane we are truly blessed with municipal courses that, while publicly owned and without frills, are a better golf expericence than most munis around the country. However, there is a fun quality to the small-town 9 hole course, the one with the donation box out front when no one is there to start your round... and we also have a few of these around as well.

As far as the donation box, that's as close as Eagle Ridge short course... out of towners may be confused driving down highway 195, as you see some holes for Qualchan at first, and then see Eagle Ridge on the right. You should not confuse the two. The short course is very aptly named, with I believe only one hole measuring over 100 yards. It's fun to play, and you see a lot of families with kids there on summer afternoons. And yes, especially late in the day, the "clubhouse" is closed, and you stick your $7 in the box and go to the first tee.

I recently stopped off in Dayton, WA on the way to Walla Walla to get in some golf at the Touchet Valley Golf Club. Sounds fancy, maybe french? It borders a small river, and has 3 really good holes, but this is a rural golf course if there ever was one. The biggest indication? At one point, you play into the rodeo arena, where 3 holes are set up, but during rodeo season they are closed to golf. After the rodeo is gone, eventually the grass grows back, and you have those 3 holes to play again. Yet, most of the course was in good shape, and the $9 for 9 hole price I paid was right. Once again, if no one is at the desk, just stick a Hamilton in the box by the first tee, and you're off.

 

---

---