Golf course recovering from ice storm

By Ms. Monicawood (IMCOM)June 10, 2010

FORT SILL, Okla.--All 18 holes of the Fort Sill Golf Course are open, and golfers say the course is in great shape.

"The course is absolutely the prettiest it's been in years," said golfer Richard McLennan. "I'm very happy with the progress the crew has made on getting it ready for the summer season."

The course took a beating in this winter's ice storms, but the staff and contractors have worked hard to get it back in shape.

According to Mark Jung, greens manager, the first phase of the cleanup project, pruning and limb removal, began May 1. "Currently 13 holes have been completed, and we're looking to finish around the end of next week. We have already cleared limbs and debris from the parking lot hillside. Next week contractors will begin grinding stumps."

Jung said some of the long-term effects of the storm will be trees that were pruned that don't make it. "Even though there was some damage to collars and tees, the repair is already under way. The greens really didn't suffer at all from the storm because they are used to the local conditions. There was no real damage to property on the course other than a fence which has already been repaired."

The damaged collar areas on holes 6 and 18 will be removed so the new sod can be placed ensuring the surface height will remain the same. Until the turf grass is established and growing, the collars are to be played as ground under repair.

The golf course is open from 6:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. or from dawn to dusk, Tuesdays through Sundays. Mondays the course is used for tournaments except when a holiday falls on a Monday then the course is open. Altic said although the course is open to the public, there are plenty of tee times every day but weekends are for active duty first.

"Civilian golfers can still come out on weekends with a sponsor or an authorized user but they can't come out on their own accord. John Q. Public does not need a sponsor to come out Tuesday through Friday. They do need a sponsor for the weekends. That's to make sure we meet the demands of the active-duty Soldier," said Altic.

Active-duty military have priority on weekends to get the tee times they want through a lottery system," said Altic. To get a tee time, Altic said golfers should call a week in advance.

For more information or to get a tee time, call the pro shop at 442-5441.