An especially heavy spring flood season has delayed the opening of a number of courses in the Missoula area and interrupted construction or renovation projects on others. Linda Vista Golf Course, which has been shut down completely because of flooding for the first time since 1997, was still pumping water off its saturated courses on June 4, and trying to generate revenue by selling “Flooded Out” coupons that will be good for two rounds for the price of one once the course can finally be opened again.
This year’s spring flood season in Montana has delayed the opening of a number of Missoula-area courses and interrupted construction or renovation projects on others, but area courses are making progress toward finally getting their golf season underway, reported KPAX 8, a Missoula television station.
At Linda Vista Golf Course in Missoula, which borders the Bitterroot River, Head Golf Professional Charles Miller said one or two holes usually have to be closed every few years due to flooding. This year on May 11, however, water seeped into every part of the course, KPAX reported, and Linda Vista shut down completely for the first time since 1997. Nobody has since teed off.
Even after the water started receding at Linda Vista, it sat stuck in low areas on the course, causing turf damage to rough and fairways, KPAX reported. While the course’s greens and tees sit on higher ground, and have been watered by hand when necessary, KPAX reported, the rest of the course remained saturated and water began to be pumped off the course on June 4th.
Linda Vista has found a creative way to bring in revenue while no one can play, KPAX reported, by offering a “Flooded Out”coupon, good for two rounds of nine holes for the price of one.
Down the Clark Fork River in Frenchtown, Mont., King Ranch Golf Course was also under water, KPAX reported. When the floods hit, work was underway to rebuild the back nine holes, which were washed away several years ago. The work was progressing nicely, but the course was only able to keep four holes open to generate some play while waiting to resume construction.
Head Golf Professional Tim Bakker told KPAX at the beginning of June that he hoped to have the remaining holes playable within a week, with the full 18 to open later this summer.
“It’s been a difficult spring, just with the loss of revenue during the month of May,” Bakker said. “We’ve always kept the higher holes open. We’ve had different specials going on during that time [to get] some golf happening each week.”
The Double Arrow Resort in Seeley Lake, Mont. has also felt the effects of flooding, KPAX reported. Morrell Creek soaked the lower part of the course, and even the higher ground was impacted by an underground spring that washed out a fairway bunker. Another hole will need repairs to a cart path. All 18 holes at Double Arrow are now open, KPAX reported, but two have been shortened to avoid the soggiest fairways.
For the full report, go to www.kpax.com/story/38364598/missoula-co-golf-working-toward-tee-9ff
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