I recently had the opportunity to play the original 9 holes at Bonneville Golf Course in Salt Lake City. Opened in 1929, the course was a Willie Bell 9 hole design that meandered over some fairly undulating property with a big ravine that ran thru it. In the late 1940's an additional 9 was added to become a 18 hole course. The initial routing was set such that the new 9 holes became most of the front 9. Since then its been switched so the original 9 holes make up most of the front 9.
I couldn't have been more lucky to catch a great break and get paired with these two fine gentleman.
They are both Utah natives and recalled when it was only a 9 hole course. Yes they had a cart but Artie explaine it best. He said,"I've been playing this course since I was a kid and always walked it until I turned 80. I figured at that point, I'd earned the right to take a cart". He's 88 now and still going strong!! They also proved very helpful in explaining the changes over the years including alternate greens at 6 and 8 as well as changes in routing and tee box placement. The current 1st is the same hole as originally created with 2-7 being on the front 9, while the original 8 and 9, are now the 10th and 18th.
If I had to use one word to describe the course it would be understated. Yes it'll never be in any top 100 list and its likely nowhere close to being in the top 10 in Utah, but the way how the holes just flow with the natural undulations of the place was fantastic...especially on the roller coaster par 5 3rd hole. Tee ball placement became critical on many holes with the hole locations, and greens that looked flattish were subtley slopped providing for some devilish putts where you had to exercise extreme caution!!
Overall, its a really fun and sporty track and at only $27 yet another superb Utah value!!!
This course review will be of the original 9 holes only as the 2nd 9 aren't really much to write home to Mom about.
And Cirba by all means, please correct me if I get any of the details wrong
Enjoy!
Coming in thru the front gate. Looks like an old guard post or something...pretty neat.
Hole 1 - Par 4 - A medium length hole that plays uphill. Not a bad opener.
A shot just short of the green, showing the raised plateau like green.
Hole 2 - Par 4 - A long par 4 requiring two good shots to get on in 2. Tee shot shows some interesting undulations on the left side.
A good tee ball that finds the fairway will be partially blind with this little ridge being just high enough to see the flag, but not the green. Neat deception design feature . If you look close you can see the blue flag.
A view of the green once you get over the rise....
Going long or right can lead to trouble in a hurry.
Hole 3 - Par 5 - Probably the coolest hole on the course. A medium length 5.
A look at the big swale thats necessary to carry for any hope to get home in 2.
The blind approach in over the hill if going home in 2. Where do you aim?
Once getting to the top of the slope, it all unfolds before you.
A massive drop seperates the back from the front. Buyer beware when going home in 2 as over this green makes for a nasty recovery.
Looking back up the hill from behind the green gives an indication to the slopes and undulation that must be negotiated.
Hole 4 - Par 3 - A nice mid-length par 3 where long is wrong.
Looking back at the tee from behind the green.
Hole 5 - Par 4 - A shortish par 4 where a big hitter can take a whack at the green.
Looking back to the tee from the left side of the fairway with the previous hole in the distance.
The approach to a tiny tucked green with a busy street to the left and bunker right.
Looking back up the hole... pic doesn't do justice to the undulations on the edges of this green.
Hole 6 - Par 4 - A medium length par 4 up the hill with two greens that play as alternates.
The original green was not in play today....
Although I think I like the alternate green better. When I asked these guys why they built the alternate green on this hole and the 8th it was a quick retort "the damn course had too much money lying around I guess".....ahhhh the wisdom!!
A closer look at the green for today.
Hole 7 - Par 3 - Another gorgeous drop shot par 3 with trouble lurking.
A closer look at the green complex and surrounds.
A bit closer where you can start to see the massive shelf on the back portion of the green. After I hit my tee ball in that bunker I unintentionlly used that shelf to hit my sand shot to 5 feet after it rolled all the way back to the hole. Just another ho-hum par save.
A look from behind the hole, showing the undulation and beauty of the setting.
Hole 8 - Par 4 - A carry is required over the ravine on this long par 4.
A look back at the old bridge to cross over to the fairway.
A look at the approach from the fairway and the two greens.
Today we played to the original green, which I much preffered over the alternate green. This was a wickedly fast and very sloped green.
Hole 9 - Par 4 - Another long par 4 to head home. Its very downhill so plays shorter off the tee. I suspect this may have originally been a par 5 to go along with #3, but not sure on that one.
A look at the undulations in the fairway.
The approach shot back over the ravine into the green. Stuck a 5 iron to 10 feet....
....but then left the birdie putt short. I'm such a Nancy!
One last look at the hole from the parking lot. What a nice ampitheatre like setting for the finishing hole.
