10/03/2016
The scenery from the Scottsbluff area golf courses is spectacular with all of its historic landmarks in the area. Again I left Lincoln quite early and was on the first tee at Courthouse & Jail Rock course in Bridgeport at 7:30 local time only to face an 180 yard par three!
The course lies right next the famous iconic landmark near the Oregon Trail. The course has back to back par fives that total 1045 yards followed by a 200 yard par three from a ridge top tee over a creek down to the tree lined fairway below. The fairways are narrow with small flat greens. The rough is unseeded natural prairie grass and wild flowers. A very pleasant walk amid the historic landmarks.
Next Stop: Bayard
The Chimney Rock Golf Club is located in Bayard just west of Bridgeport and north of the famous Chimney Rock Monument on the Oregon Trail.
The course is located on the north edge of Bayard built on old farmland with plenty of large cottonwood and elm trees. The fairways are wide and contoured with the large elevated greens and grassy mounds around them with some undulations. The rough is a very thick bluegrass making it a premium to hit drives in the fairway. A creek comes into play on four holes. The 9th is a challenging 430 yard finishing hole where you must stay right to get to the green tucked into the trees. The course is very well manicured.
Next Stop: Morrill
Rolling Green Golf Course located west of Scottsbluff, 7 miles from the Wyoming border, is the farthest west course in Nebraska.
The rolling terrain can create uneven lies in the fairways. Pines, elm and popular trees line the wide fairways. The greens are small, quick and quite flat and have sand bunkers on every hole. With a west wind ( it was 35 ) makes the finishing par 3 200 yards very difficult.
That dark cloud blew up a wind that moved my push cart and the scorecard flew faster than I could run!
Next Stop: Mitchell
Just east of Morrill is Mitchell and the Scenic Knolls Golf Course on the north edge of town.
The rolling terrain along with huge undulating greens and coarse rough makes Scenic Knolls a challenge. Club selection is critical on positioning on the large greens to avoid three putting or worse. Changes in elevation and water hazards along with many side hill lies makes for well placed tee shot placement.
Next Stop: Gering
Monument Shadows lies at the base of Scottsbluff National Monument in Gering.
The front nine is the original course with wide straight fairways and flat medium to small greens with subtle breaks. The back nine was built in 1996 with lots of mounding, traps and water. The greens are large with plenty of undulations and beautiful views of the Bluffs Monument.
End of Day: Tomorrow Scottsbluff CC
10/04/2016
My journey to play Scottsbluff CC was not only the 6 hour drive out here but getting someone to arrange a tee time that was a member. A fellow Lincoln Senior golfer from my church who grew up in Bridgeport has a sister in Scottsbluff and she talked to a friend of hers who made the arrangements and I am grateful to them.
Scottsbluff Country Club is arguably the finest golf course in Western Nebraska. The grass is lush and the greens roll true and pure.The tree-lined fairways and strategically placed hazards make it a true shot maker's golf course. Well struck golf shots are rewarded while errant shots may be penal
Ther Frank Hummel-designed championship golf course is set among mature trees, small lakes, soft sand bunkers, and an upscale housing development. Four different tee box settings range from 5500 yards to 7100 yards to provide a suitable challenge and enjoyable round of golf for golfers of all abilities.
Score Card: 213 Course played
Miles Driven: 875
Total Miles since 7/21/2014: 11,828
Remaining to play: I have 6 courses left to play in the Crawford area, a new build in Valentine which may open next spring and a final round at The Links at Lincoln. Between the weather, the leaves and pine needles I think I will wait until next spring to venture out to the northwest area and hopefully play the new Valentine course which sets up the Grand Finale at the Links in Lincoln for next spring also which will be an invitational outing.
