MEEKER | For 54 years, Meeker’s 9-hole golf course has been a local favorite before falling on hard times the past few seasons.
“We’ve made a commitment to re-energize our operation and would like to extend an invitation to the area golfing community to come out and give us a chance again,” said Rio Blanco Golf Association president Mark Litzelman. “We’ve hired a new manager to keep the pro shop and restaurant going while we’ve added to our outside services staff who will be taking care of the course in better condition this year.”
In charge of the inside operations is Josh Clark and his wife Phoebee who came from Arizona. Josh was born and raised in Scottsdale where he spent 10 years in the banking business along with a stint as a stockbroker at Vanguard. The Clarks have four children: Skye, Trixie Jo, Dino and Lana who love camping and motorsports, which was a big motivator for their move to Colorado. Assisting with improving the course this season are Greg Ackerman and Dave Henderson who are both familiar with the mowing and operations at the 76-acre facility. Joining them is former course manager and PGA professional Jim Cook who will be coming back to lend his services.
“While we’re still working hard on two of the greens, the rest of the course is coming along nicely, despite the cool spring we’re having,” said Cook. “We just finished aerifying and top dressing in preparation for this Saturday’s Ladies Deerfly so hopefully this week’s warmer weather kicks in.”
Electing not to hold tournaments the past two years, this year the board will be bringing back many of the traditional Meeker tournaments that usually fill the summer schedule. The course held the men’s 27 hole two-man scramble two weeks ago in which 40 players took part (see results below) while area women are expected at Saturday’s Deerfly which has been filled for almost two months. The ladies will be looking to bring their A games as they have a variety of nice prizes to compete for including a night’s stay at the famous Redstone Castle in Marble. Proceeds from the tournament will go to help Amanda Rubin Back’s MHS golf team.
In addition to the ladies tournament, the Men’s Golf Club will be holding their two-man best ball competition the weekend of June 15-16 while other tournaments are scheduled later in the season.
As many believe the course is not only a financial asset to the Meeker and White River community, but has been and will continue to be a favorite sporting activity among Meeker’s younger, middle and elderly population. “I think the neatest thing I’ve seen this spring is the number of families with young children playing the game,” said Cook. “Somehow we’ve got to figure out how to keep this little course open as it is a valuable facility for the whole area.”
The course has received some outside assistance this year and the Association would like to thank the Town of Meeker for helping lease the 20-cart fleet which has financially benefited the member-owned facility. Thanks also to the Rangely golf course for loaning the equipment needed to improve the greens and a hats-off to the Bloomberg Ranch for their assistance with equipment and fertilizer products.
Men’s Scramble Results
At the recently held two-man scramble, teams from Rifle had a near clean sweep as veterans Roger Walters and Rick Peterson edged out Kip Jessup and Peter Freidel. Meeker’s Lex Collins teamed up with Joe Elliot for third place in the first flight.
Winning the second flight was Meeker’s Eric Brown and Patrick Burwell while second place went to Klayton Costanzo and Tyler David with Meeker’s Bill deVergie and Chad Deines finishing third.
It was a two-way tie for first in the third flight with Kyle Frary and Bill Mills tying with Pedro Hernandez and Mark Litzelman. Third-place honors went to Meeker’s Clint Chappell and Greg Ackerman.
Special to the HT