Four score and seven shots ago, our architect brought forth upon this barren land, a new course, conceived in difficulty, and dedicated to the proposition that all golfers are created equal (with their handicap index). That course was Lincoln Park Golf Course and it is the oldest course in Grand Junction having been built in 1926.
So you say you slice the ball? As you approach the first hole, there is still time to return to the clubhouse to purchase more balls and place a call to your your insurance agent. Gunnison Avenue with traffic looms to the right. A fence and trees separate you from disaster, but still a wild slice may bring big trouble. You get to choose from black, blue, red or yellow tee boxes, so select wisely. Oh by the way, there is also sand and tree trouble to the left on this straight par 4. Hole #2 is a par 5 of 473 yards with, you guessed it, trouble down the right side where homes may come into play. The safe shot is to bail left, so the houses don’t come into the trajectory of your wild slice – am I correct, Angelo?
At the par 3 third hole, you need to get the ball in the air from the blue tees to clear the water that lies in front of the tee box. Your slice here will only find an apartment parking lot.
Hole #4 is the first dogleg and on this par 4 the only danger is a nuclear power plant (or something similar) to the right that is guarded by a high fence. A shot wild to the right may not cause a massive explosion, but a ball will certainly be lost. Did you ever find yours, Angelo? Well here’s something you don’t see everyday on a 9-hole course – a cart girl now has passed us twice after only four holes! Of course Karen’s reasoning for this is we are playing with our handsome 21-year-old nephew. Oh to be 21 again instead of 71 – oops, I must have said that out loud since I received a sharp wack on the head! Playing from the correct tees is critical on this hole because you don’t want to hit over the fence with your second shot. One last strange thing about this hole was that as you make the turn in the fairway there are two greens in the distance. After much debate, we decided to play the one on the left because the 21-year-old eyes could not see a flag on the green to the right. That was the correct move.
Bombs away at the short par 4 fifth hole. Hole #6 may be a little intimidating for the high handicap golfer, or where have you heard this – the big slicer. The fence and trees try to protect the right side next to a heavily trafficked road. There is a nice view of the mesa in the distance along with the Colorado Mesa University football stadium – home of the Mavericks!
A long (200 yards) par 3 awaits at Hole #7. The beautiful CMU baseball stadium sits adjacent to the tee box. Oh to have played on a field like this back at Aurora College! One of our golfers decided he wanted to play this hole from center field. Not the route you want to take, especially during baseball season. Find your ball yet, Angelo? Holes #8 and #9 are similar to most of the course – straight with nice views of the mesa.
Rating – Par (36 out of 60): Four score and seven shots ago…that’s about right for my normal round of 18. For those of you who need a translation, that’s an 87 on the scorecard. As I have mentioned, the course is moderately straight with most of the impediments to the right. Lincoln Park GC is a good place to stop for a quick 9 before heading out for other adventures.
These include: hiking and biking on Grand Mesa (the largest flattop mountain in the world); exploring Colorado National Monument; visiting the nearby wineries and breweries; and playing more golf at Redlands Mesa GC or Battlement Mesa GC. Always many activities on the Western Slope.
800 Mantlo Circle, Grand Junction, CO 81501; 970-254-3890; www.golfgrandjunction.net/lincoln-park
