June 2021 Golf News
 
Let’s start this month with a hole in one; Sid Hilburn aced #17 at Alto on April 24 for his first career hole in one.
Sid hit his 8 iron and was playing with James Paxton, Fred Gurth, Galon George, and clayton Murphy. Way to go Sid!
 
We also have some personnel news. Joining us this summer season in the Alto shop will be Chris Lopez and Patrick Espalin, and Haydon Bode in the Outlaw shop. All 3 are New Mexico State PGM program students and are very well qualified to assist us. You will remember Chris Lopez from last season at Alto as he returns to help yet again. Come by and say hello to these most valuable assistants!
 
A heads up on the Covid 19 issues as we all navigate uncharted territory…as this is written on May 14, we are seeing liftings of many of the restrictions which have been in place. Currently, the governors’ office has lifted restrictions as to bunker rakes and flagstick handling, so back to normal there. She also lifted the riding separately edict for non-family members, so we need to go back to pairing up in Club golf carts. There are still some restrictions as to food and beverage operations, but we expect those to be eased as well in the very near future though I doubt we will see a return to buffets after events any time soon. That said, those playing in any of our events where we would have used buffets to speed food serving in the past will need to remain patient upon completion of the round as food has to be plated and delivered to prevent all handling the same serving utensils.
 
I hate to say it, but we’ve had only 4/10” of moisture in any form since my last Avalanche and that was all in one soft snow shower event. It remained cool though out April and through the first week or so of May with some pretty bad winds from time to time. Then the second week it warmed nicely but we still had the winds which is a recipe for very dry conditions. Hat’s off to Glenn Denny and crew as the courses look and play very well, but irrigation can only do so much.
 
Our first Demo Day for the season will be Saturday, June 5 here at Alto. Alto member and Cobra Demo Rep Joe McCubbin will be here from Cobra, and the red-hot Rad X line of woods and irons, of course at no charge. We will start around 10AM on the Alto range and he will stay until around 3PM. Very casual and lots of fun so try to make plans to come see us that day.
 
Let me remind everyone that starting June 1, we start tee times at 6:30AM and this continues through July. Golf shop hours for these 2 months are from 6:30 (though we are actually here before that) until 7:00PM.
 
As we enter the busy season, we would like to remind and inform you again of speed of play and cart driving policies. The Golf and Greens Commission and your Board of Directors appeal for your help in the care of our golf courses. As such, we will have Marshals once again, to aid in care for our courses and assist in pace of play. All players who ride any golf cart are to keep the cart at least 30 feet from any tee or green, and stay completely on the paths on all par 3’s. Of course, at the Outlaw, never drive in any Native Area.
 
Marshals will also be charged with helping maintain the pace of play. While there have not been consistent issues with pace given the volume of in-season play, there are going to be isolated instances where play slows from our established pace of play of 4:07 for Alto, and 4:15 for Outlaw.
 
Remember the old tried and true adage; “your place on the course is behind the group in front of you, not just ahead of the group behind you”. Our marshals will assist in this as well and we ask you heed any instructions from them.
 
Those in need of mobility assistance to play will be issued handicap flags which allow them to drive off the paths on par 3’s, and as close as 12 feet (about 2 cart lengths) to greens and tees. These concessions are only available to those flying a handicap flag which are available in the golf shops. To use a flag on a permanent basis, we must have either a doctor’s letter describing the issue causing the need, or a copy of your existing state issued handicap placard. Members which we know have an issue have been notified by letter of the policy and can buy their own flag for $20 in either shop. For those with a temporary need or have a guest with a mobility issue, we have flags for one time use in both shops, and these must be returned at the end of your round.
 
Not to belabor the point but be advised there are penalties for those who choose to ignore our cart driving and pace of play policies up to and including suspension of playing privileges. Your Golf and Greens Commission and well as your Board of Directors stand firmly behind these policies and will act accordingly should anyone persistently choose to ignore them.
 
Let me also remind everyone of the Foretees tee time reservation policies. First, tee time reservations open for two weeks out at 4:00 each day. Second, the “X’s” you can use to hold spots in the time you make will stay for 10 days and Foretees will remove those 4 days prior to your time. This gives you 10 days to round up your players and insert names whether member or guest. When the X’s go away, the remaining spots in your game are then open to anyone wishing to join you. Another quick reminder: if playing less than a full group particularly in peek times, expect to be paired by our starters so we may optimize play on the course. Thanks!
 
The golf shop is filled with all the new merchandise for 2021 whether it is the new clubs which make the game easier, or any and all types of clothing and shoes to help you look and feel better while playing.
 
One more pitch for the Lincoln County War Couples Tournament to be played Wednesday and Thursday June 2-3 with practice round on June 1. Format for the War is net better ball eclectic for the couple. Entry fee for the War is $350 per couple. There is a pairings/drink ticket party with hors-d’oeuvres and cash bar Tuesday evening in the Pavilion, lunch after play Wednesday, lunch and awards after play Thursday. We also will have grab and go breakfast Wednesday and Thursday morning prior to play