Season memorable for local golf courses
Thursday, November 30, 2000
The Haymaker Golf Course, which recorded nine hole-in-ones and eight eagles in 2000, profited greatly financially this season thanks to Mother Nature. John Vanderbloemen, chairman of the Golf Committee, said a very favorable summer was a major reason for the course's financial success. The Haymaker made $1,110,983 in course revenue. In 1999, that figure was $1,016, 094. Course revenue includes daily playing fees plus the costs of using the driving range, range balls and rental carts. It also includes season passes and punch cards. In 1999, the number of tourist rounds played at the Haymaker was 5,386. This season, 6,632 tourist rounds were played. The tourist rate for playing an 18-hole game is $69. The local rate is $39. The number of resident rounds increased this year, also. Last year, there were 18,607 resident rounds compared to 19,007 in 2000. The calculation for tourist and resident rounds are based on nine- and 18-hole rounds. Vanderbloemen credited the course's success with its out-of-towners to its playing host to a pair of tournaments, including the Colorado Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship in September. The total projected revenue at the Haymaker this season is expected to be more than $200,000, Vanderbloemen said. No immediate changes are planned as far as course improvements, but one of the goals, Vanderbloemen said, is to continue to build on its reserves, which eventually will help pay for the construction of a permanent club house. Vanderbloemen hopes the dry summer weather pattern continues next season. "You can't have better weather for golf than we've had the last couple of years," he said.
Steamboat Springs — When Dave Jarvis picked his seven-iron from his golf bag during a warm afternoon this summer, he never imagined he would knock his ball 146 yards straight into the cup.
Jarvis, who hit the shot into hole No. 7 July 25, was one of nine individuals who recorded hole-in-ones this season at the Haymaker Golf Course.
The 2000 season was a memorable one for Steamboat Springs' four golf courses, including on the scorecards and in the budget books.
The Catamount had two hole-in-ones this season, and three hole-in-ones were recorded by the Steamboat Golf Club.
Jarvis, 48, was golfing with his son, Jake, when his ball skipped, bounced and hit the pin before rolling into the cup.
"It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime shot," Jarvis said. "What can I say? Both my son and I went nuts."
Ross Andrews, who was the superintendent at the Catamount this season, hit a hole-in-one Aug. 16.
Andrews used an eight iron and drove his golf ball 198 yards into the eighth hole at the Catamount.
Red Cunningham receives the golfer of the year award, though, for sinking two hole-in-ones.
Cunningham had a hole-in-one at the River Valley Ranch in Carbondale Sept. 3 and another at the Haymaker Sept. 13.
At the Sheraton-Steamboat Resort golf course this season, about 15,000 rounds of golf were played, head golf professional Gary Crawford said.
"Our numbers were real good both our play numbers and financial numbers," Crawford said. "It was a real solid year."
At the Catamount, which had its grand opening July 31, about 5,000 rounds of golf were played, head golf professional Randy Houseman said.
Tom Weiskopf shot a 66 at the Catamount Aug. 12, which gave Weiskopf the course record.
"We had a very successful first season," Houseman said. "Both our members and guests were very pleased with the golf course and its facilities."
Greg Koehler, president of the Steamboat Golf Club Board of Directors, estimated the Steamboat Golf Club made more than $300,000 in course revenue.
That figure was about a 10 percent increase from 1999, Koehler said.
At the Steamboat Golf Club, the number of tourist rounds also increased between the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Koehler said. "Overall, it was just a pretty busy golf season," he said.
Josh Graham, who had a hole-in-one at the Haymaker Aug. 17, hopes he can repeat his performance in 2001, he said. Graham's shot went 108 yards into hole No. 12.
"They say lightning can strike twice, and I sure hope it does," Graham said.
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