BOUNTIFUL — Back in 1975, William H. Neff thought about, and designed, a mountainside golf course that would trace Bountiful's east bench and showcase the entire Great Salt Lake valley.
Now 31 years later that golf course, which is widely known as Bountiful Ridge, is still a hit for any golfer who's teed it up.
Located at 2430 S. Bountiful Blvd., the par-71 Bountiful Ridge carves its way through the oak trees providing a challenging but enjoyable round of golf. Superintendent Chuck Goode always has the course in great shape. The greens are well kept, the fairways perfectly cut, and the grass always rich, shining and beaming a solid green. It's in really good shape for a public course.
The layout isn't designed for the heavy hitters. Measuring at 6,523 yards from the back tees, length — although nice — isn't the most important attribute while playing here.
The course is set up for good, solid iron play, and clean ball-striking — and yes, a short game will come in handy, as always, while you make your way around the oversize, bent grass greens. The fairways, tee boxes and rough are a mixture of blue, rye and fescue grasses.
Keeping out of this fescue/rye/blue grass rough is necessary, and gives you better approach shots at greens, and a better chance your ball will check up when landing on the putting surface.
Elevation changes are everywhere on the course, giving you entertaining options from tee to green. You'll find several tee boxes above the fairways, which always gives a nice look to a golf hole. A model hole showcasing the change in elevation is the finishing hole, the 18th. The notorious 485-yard par-5 sets up facing the clubhouse, and the tee box looks slightly downhill to the fairway. From the fairway, the big hitter can elect to boldly go for the green in two, or lay up down at the bottom of the fairway. This shot is great with a creek guarding the green, and a violent change in elevation as the fairway drops steeply down to a valley, only to rise triumphantly to the green which is implanted in the clubhouses shadow and guarded by a huge grass bunker.
Other holes provide similar challenges as well, the par-4 ninth isn't too long at 333 yards from the middle tees but will still test you as a golfer. The green sits a good deal above the fairway, and the entire left side of the hole is lined with trouble. Ponds, creeks and bunkers are what you'll find if you don't hit the green with your approach, and once on the green the three dramatically different levels will come into play. If there is a front pin location, finding the back of the green will be disastrous. A three putt in that situation would be an accomplishment. Knowledge of pin location is critical on the ninth and the other 17 holes as well.
Overall, Bountiful Ridge adds to the list of great golf courses in Davis County. The course offers everything you want in a golf course, a fun and challenging play.
The Utah Golf Association dubs Bountiful Ridge as, "country club conditions at public course prices." The course is rated nationally as a best value golf facility, and always rates as one of Utah's best courses to play. A gem along the Bountiful benches. Kent McComb is the Head Professional.
The course has putting, chipping and bunker practice areas but no driving range. There is an indoor practice facility that you can use for $1 per half-hour. There is a full-service pro shop, snack bar, cafe, banquet and conference room, and outdoor seating with great views. Lessons are available, and clubs can be rented for play in the pro shop.
Tee-times are preferred to be made six days in advance for weekdays, and Monday mornings beginning at 7 a.m. for the weekends. Call 801-298-6040.
Green fees run at $11 for nine holes and $22 for 18. Carts are available, as are pull carts.
E-mail: bhedin@desnews.com