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April 17, 2007
By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman
MAT-SU VALLEY - Two weeks ago, judging by the conditions of Settlers Bay, Bob Ackles hesitated to think the 18-hole golf course would be ready to open in mid-April.
But things in the Mat-Su Valley tend to change in a hurry in the spring.
And now, thanks to the Valley's recent warm weather Settlers Bay is one of two local golf courses slated to open on Wednesday.
George Collum III, of the Palmer Municipal Golf Course, said the Palmer course is scheduled open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and Ackles, of Settlers Bay, said the Settlers Bay Golf Course should be open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“The last 10 days have been incredible,” said Ackles.
Ackles said Settlers Bay is opening a few days later than it did last year, but unlike last spring, the course will feature more than half of its primary greens.
At this time last year the course required temporary greens on 100 percent of the holes, Ackles said, and this year temps are need on only 40 percent of the course.
Ackles said there is no real way to attribute the reason for the difference.
Overall he said, conditions are good. Wet, but good.
Settlers has a special rate of $20 for greens fees until further notice. Carts are available for rental, but the use of all carts is restricted to paths only.
Collum said 10 of Palmer's 18 holes will be available for play on Wednesday, and there will be use of real greens on all 10 of those holes.
The flags, Collum said, will be placed on the fronts of the greens.
Palmer is opening the first four holes of the course, and 13 through 18. Collum said more holes will open as conditions will improve.
But like Ackles at Settlers, Collum said he is pleased with the conditions overall.
“It's still pretty wet, playable, but wet,” Collum said. “It's spring golf in Alaska.”
Palmer is featuring a special rate of $13 for greens fees. Carts are not allowed on the course until conditions improve.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
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