Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The driving range at Haymaker Golf Course will open Friday with the course set to open May 1.

Director of Golf Tom Taylor said the Haymaker Golf Committee batted around the idea of trying to open earlier but decided the May 1 date would work best.

“There was a little bit of discussion about opening earlier,” Taylor said. “We decided the golf course wasn’t in the condition they wanted it to be.”

Taylor said the course came through the winter well with limited damage. He said the vole damage was a little worse than years past but said the light winter was good.

“Overall, we had a good winter,” he said.

He said one of the biggest things right now is trying to get the grass to grow. Despite warm weather, the ground temperatures at Haymaker haven’t gotten high enough to help grow the grass.

The golf course pro shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through opening day. Haymaker season passes still are available for the preseason rate. Adult resident season passes are $1,095 through April 30 and increase to $1,295 starting May 1.

Spouse add-ons go from $875 to $1,075.

The May 1 opening will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The course will start accepting tee times for May 2 the afternoon of the opening.

Also of note, Taylor said the course wouldn’t be hiring for Luke Brosterhous’ position of director of instruction this season.

Brosterhous left to take the same position at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge course in Snoqualmie, Wash.

Taylor said they would discuss hiring for the position next season. This season, Taylor said Haymaker will have three internal staff members help with instruction.

Changes at restaurant

The Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. has taken over the restaurant at Haymaker. Formerly known as Staxx, the new restaurant will be called the Haymaker Patio Grill.

Part of the reason the course is waiting until May 1 to open is to give the new restaurant and Ski Corp. adequate time to be ready.

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com