You might find some golf courses with comparable holes or similar vistas, but you're not going to find any other golf course in the world with the same name as the 18-hole jewel in the foothills above Payson.
The Gladstan course is named for Gladys and Stan Wilson, who built the original 9-hole course in Payson down near town in 1966. They turned the course back to the city to run with the stipulation that if the city ever sold it, it would have to build another course.True to its word, after selling the land to American Stores in 1986, the city used that money along with a bond to build a new $2 million course in the foothills south of town.
Now in its seventh year of operation, Gladstan is attracting golfers from all over the state. While Utah County golfers fill the course during the week, many Salt Lake golfers are making the 60-mile drive on weekends.
Gladstan combines many of the qualities of Davis County courses such as Bountiful and Valley View with its changes in elevation and spectacular views.
The back nine is the more interesting with better holes and those breathtaking views of Utah Valley and Utah Lake to the north. "Everybody wants to play the back nine," says head pro Jack Lomento.
The most memorable hole on the course, which Lomento calls the "signature hole" is the par-4 12th, which measures a mere 257 yards from the whites. Yard for yard, it may be the toughest in Utah and is certainly one of the most intimidating.
You must clear a large ravine, approximately 170 yards wide, with your tee shot. And the shot is uphill. With 100 yards or less for a second shot one might feel pretty confident. The only problem is there is nothing behind the green but a sharp dropoff. As a result, many golfers will leave their approach shots short of the green.
Lomento calls No. 12 "a sucker hole" because it tempts the golfer to do things he shouldn't - like use a driver off the tee, or go for the flag and risk going too far. However, as assistant pro Tracy Zobell says, "Most people love it."
The next four holes are excellent. No. 13 is a downhill par-3 with a huge U-shaped bunker off to the right. No. 14 is a 425-yarder that doglegs left, while No. 15 is another downhill par-3 with three small ponds in front. No. 16, which measures 537 yards from the blues, is the best par-5 on the course, with water all the way down the left side and a sharp turn left near the green with more water to hit over.
The front nine isn't without its good holes. They just don't have the great views the back nine holes offer.
Gladstan isn't quite the bargain it was when it opened at $9 for 18 holes. Still, at a reasonable $14 it's worth the drive to play in Payson. You'll be glad you did.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Gladstan: Golf course
DIFFICULTY
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LAYOUT/SCENERY
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ENJOYABILITY INDEX
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(5=Highest Rating, 0=Lowest)
HOLE PAR YARDS* HOLE PAR YARDS*
1 4 401 10 4 400
2 5 480 11 4 267
3 4 382 12 4 257
4 3 165 13 3 164
5 4 375 14 4 425
6 5 475 15 3 141
7 4 330 16 5 473
8 3 135 17 4 321
9 4 312 18 4 312
OUT 36 3055 IN 35 2760
TOTAL PAR 71 YARDS 5815
*Middle tees
LOCATION: #1 Gladstan Drive, Payson
HEAD PROFESSIONAL:
Jack Lomento
YEAR OPENED:
William Neff, 1988
COST:
$7/$14, carts $7/$14, range $1.50/$3
RESERVATIONS:
6465-2549, 1-800-634-3009, Mon. for Tues. through following Mon.
EASIEST TIME TO GET ON:
Mon. midday
COURSE RECORD:
Bruce Brockbank, John Fillmore 62 (competitive)