TOOELE — For years, the city of Tooele planned to expand its nine-hole golf course that opened on the east side of town in 1949.
The nine-holer, which was built by volunteers from the fire department and the Lions Club (a different person designed each hole), served the community well, but there was always hope for an 18-hole layout.
Plans were drawn up as early as the 1950s, and more than a decade ago a design for a new nine was displayed in the old golf shop with an opening set for 1996.
However, because of water problems, financial issues and other factors, the addition never happened.
Finally, the golf-course expansion became reality two years ago, and last month nine new holes were opened east of the original nine. Local dignitaries, media, golf pros and residents of Tooele showed up for the grand opening, and business has been brisk ever since.
Head pro Christian Scott estimates that business is up 300 percent with the additional nine holes and increased business.
"We're pretty busy with 18 holes, seven days a week," said Scott. "We're getting more traffic from Salt Lake, and everyone in Tooele is giving it a try."
Golfers are attracted to Oquirrh Hills because of its playability — it's just less than 6,000 yards from the blue tees with not a lot of tricky holes — and it's amazingly low price. At just $23.50 with a cart on weekdays and only $15 if you walk, which is very doable, it's one of the best bargains in the state.
Tooele Mayor Patrick Dunlavy, who has worked for the city for more than 30 years, said everything "fell into place" a couple of years ago after years of planning and hoping.
The property had already been acquired, and the city made an agreement to access irrigation water for the course rather than culinary water.
"That was important to the community," said Dunlavy.
Also, because of the downturn in golf course building around the country, the city was able to acquire the services of Wadsworth Construction, one of the premier golf course building companies, and hire Colorado architect Andy Johnson for the design. Still, the city was able to keep the budget around $1.5 million, an amazing number in these days of escalating costs.
Johnson, an award-winning golf architect based in Colorado, shared the vision of the locals for adding a nine that blended well with the original nine.
"My overriding plan was that I wanted both nines to fit together well," he said. "The new holes have similar lengths with the same look and feel. We made the smaller greens so it could be a chipping-type course."
The new nine won't resemble the old nine for several years. Some 450 trees, mostly pines, were planted on the new nine and will take a few years to match the full-grown trees on the original nine.
Many of the new holes are straightforward — not straight but just not extra fancy like a lot of new courses try to be these days.
The 10th hole is nearly drivable at 334 yards, but the fairway narrows near the green, which is split-level and deceptive to putt.
No. 12 is "the most spectacular" hole on the course, according to Scott because of the "amazing views" of Middle Canyon to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the northwest. The 13th is a par 3 requiring a long carry over water with an old railroad trestle as a backdrop.
No. 15 is a pretty, downhill par 3 that has already yielded four holes-in-one since the opening, while the 16th is a dogleg left around a lake that is a risk-reward hole for big hitters.
The original nine was rerouted a couple of years ago with the old No. 7, parallel to Droubay Road, being turned into the new No. 1. The holes are in the same order with the old No. 1 now No. 8 and No. 9 the old No. 2.
Three of the holes have been redone, the par-3 No. 2 hole was redesigned and a lake put in; No. 3 was lengthened 150 yards from a par 3 to a par 4, and No. 5 was changed to a slight dogleg right, which helps golfers keep their drives in play.
No. 9 is one of the longest par 3s in the state, measuring 240 yards from the back tees. The fact that it is uphill and features the smallest green on the course makes it one of the more challenging par 3s in the state.
The large cabin-style clubhouse was built six years ago and features a full-service restaurant.
"We're pretty proud of what we've got here," said Dunlavy. "We couldn't be more pleased with it."
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