April  2021 Golf News
Let me lead this month with something which has been at the forefront in the news and conversations over the last year and that is the Covid-19 AKA Corona Virus. Lincoln County, as I write this on March 13, has now gone to yellow which does allow for limited inside dining as you have undoubtedly heard, and pretty regular operations of our golf courses. We still cannot have rakes in the bunkers, ball washers and such, but we are playing lots of golf when the weather permits. Both courses are now completely open with all winter tarps removed and we are in process of removing the animal control ropes which while inconvenient, certainly do help with the elk and horse traffic. The courses are just now beginning to break dormancy with noticeable tinges of green pretty much throughout. The big snow we had back around Valentine’s day was a great help to us form a moisture standpoint although since then, strong winds have been pretty much the norm even with decent temperatures. All in all, I can’t think of a healthier place to be than out in the fresh air and sunshine of our golf courses!
 
We did have one Ace to report by press time; Scott Dickerson made his first career hole in one on March 16 at Outlaw on #3. Scott used his 7 iron against a pretty good wind and was playing with his wife Karen, and David and Robbie Cliburn.
Congrats to Scott on his first Ace, and here is to many more!
 
A reminder starting in April, again this year the Alto course will be closed on most Mondays for dedicated maintenance. Outlaw will be closed on most Tuesdays…I say “most” in the above as a few Mondays for Alto, and Tuesdays for Outlaw will be open when a major event (such as Kachina Doll or Snowcapper) has the other course closed, or the major Monday holidays are involved (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day). April Golf shop hours move back to 7:30 AM opening and first tee time, with the shops closing at 6:00PM.
 
I do wish to remind everyone of our Aerification schedule for both courses this spring…we will be aerifying at Alto on April 13-14 (Tuesday-Wednesday with Outlaw open Tuesday the 13th) and Outlaw two weeks after April 26-27 with Alto open Monday the 26th. These dates are fairly similar to last years’ schedule with the exception of Alto being done on a Tuesday/Wednesday when generally it wraps up on Tuesday. We are having to do it this way due to scheduling issues with our Drill and Fill Contractor who is out of California and Covid related travel restrictions imposed by California. Aerification is most important to ongoing green health for both courses and while slightly disruptive, pays big dividends after the greens start actively growing.
 
A quick note for our ladies; the new lady’s merchandise is coming in in droves and if you are a Jamie Sadock, Jofit, Greg Norman, E.P. Pro, Lucky-in Love, Tail, or Bette & Court fan, you are in luck! In all the groups we have included the evermore popular long/longer sleeve top options for those with sun issues in addition to the usual short sleeve and sleeveless options. Really pretty colorations and some new fabric treatments as well so might want to take a look next time out. Also, our first styles of lady’s shoes from FootJoy will already be in by the time you read this with many more to follow this month also from FootJoy but also from Skechers as well. Of course, we also have many of our new offerings for the gentleman as well along with all the demo golf clubs for all. It is a busy but very exciting time as all the new merchandise arrives…looks to be a fun year.
 
We will be trading/selling 24 of our 2017 Alto ClubCar Precedent model carts from Alto around the middle of May. As such, many of you have asked about buying one of the “trade ins” and if you are in the market, we will be selling these carts outright for $2600. All of these 24 which have 1 year old batteries put in last April. These are our fleet carts which are extremely well-maintained year-round. They, of course, come with the charger and club protector on the back for those rainy days. These carts are 4 years old and are currently still in service at Alto. If this is of interest to you, give us a call in the shop and we can put you on the list. Again, date available depends on delivery of our 30 new 2021 models, but as stated above, they should be here by the middle of May if not before.
 
As we are fast approaching our busy season, here are a few things you want to know/remember. Foretees is our
internet-based tee time reservation system which allows you to make or change tee times 24/7. To access Foretees, just go to the Clubs website and log in (the 2017 Tournament Schedule is at the bottom of the welcome page). If you are ready to make a tee time, just click the Foretees icon, click on the course you wish to play, click the calendar date, and your name will appear.
 
Pick a time (or two if need be from the drop-down box just right of the tee time) then add the other players from the Member List to the right, or your "Partner List"; be sure and click the transportation boxes (Club Cart, Private Cart, Walk). If you are not sure of the names of the entire group, just fill your other slots with the Member TBD "X" box and provide the names within 4 days prior to the time. After that, the X’s will be automatically removed, and anyone will be free to join your group. If you have guests playing, just select from the Guest Type box, and they will appear. After the guest type appears in your group, you can click in the box (just right of the Acc letters), and you can type in the guest’s name. When all slots are filled in some manner, click Submit and you have made a tee time. An e-mail will automatically send to all members in your group (provided we have their e-mail address). Helpful hint: Always use the Go Back to the left if you wish to go back to the previous screen...never you use your browser go back button.
Most of you are aware of our published Pace of Play at Alto (as calculated by the USGA) is 4 hours and 7 minutes. This is broken down at 1:55 for the front (it is easier) and 2:12 for the back (it’s harder). Please remember this is the MAXIMUM Pace of Play, and we encourage you to of course play faster than this maximum whenever possible…and most do. Outlaw‘s Pace in terms of the total time of 4:15. As always, courtesy and golf etiquette would dictate to let faster players through when someone catches up to you. One pearl of wisdom I have heard bears repeating;
“YOUR POSITION ON THE GOLF COURSE SHOULD BE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU, AND NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE GROUP BEHIND YOU”.