by Marcie Tucker
Contributing Writer
Back then gives us right now when it comes to the evolution of the Roosevelt City Golf Course. An impossible undertaking, that is what they called the idea of an 18 hole golf course back in the 1980’s.
Small town Utah, then the population was then about 4000 souls, but community members and golfers had big plans for this small town. Those big dreams turned into reality and now we all can enjoy the 18 hole golf course, a gem for the city of Roosevelt. With community bye in – the course was built. The community bought in, chipped in and worked hard to make the golf course that we all enjoy today a reality.
Dreams became reality, as the golf minded people congregated and formed an organized team in 1994. That group went to work and with a sparse budget they accomplished much. Living in Utah, the second most dry state in the nation, water has always been on the forefront of thoughts and tee times. Water was one of the early concerns for the golf course.
Again the course was fortunate enough to have help and donations. The idea of this golf course caught the attention of the hard working community members, but it also had state wide attention. People like to golf, and this course has not gone unnoticed, and even in the developing stages there was anticipation.
Again, a donation of time and money happened to upgrade the irrigation system by a Toro dealer from Salt Lake City. Bruce Perry made the trip, and made the magic happen back in 1990. The management of the golf course is apparent, and beautiful. The course is immaculate and the experience is breathtaking and invigorating if you are lucky enough to go hit that ball either 9 or 18 holes. It will not be a wasted day.
In 1994, the dream of the back nine became alive thanks to that team of dedicated people. In March of 1992 the ‘Back-Nine Committee’ including the then Mayor of Roosevelt City, and the City Manager as well as friends of the golf course, made a trip to Salt Lake City with a plea to the CIB, Community Impact Board for funding assistance. It took several attempts, and being placed on a waiting list before their efforts yielded success. That made it possible for the efforts to be fruitful in April of 1992. The committee wasted no time and construction started the day after funding was obtained.
Their ambitions envisioned an opening in 1993, but realization of the time, work and efforts quickly pushed that date back to 1994. The delay was in part because of the pump needed for the pond (45 acre feet) which required a state permit and an engineering firm to design, inspect and approve all of the efforts. The pond is a place that so many enjoy today, and those efforts have not been unnoticed or lost on everyone who enjoys that feature.
The pond brings an array of many visual joys. The sounds of nature. The sound of the water splashing against the many large rocks that surround the water. And the birds. The birds that surround the water are a sight for sore eyes, a song for weary ears to hear, and a vision to uphold for tired eyes. It is invigorating and enlightening, and it is right here for Roosevelt citizens to enjoy.
Ken Allen and Val Labrum took charge of the pond while Mike Quinn and Hal Balanchard tackled the pump situation. Gordie Harmston Jr., Jay Bolton, Don Swink and Brian Ainsworth (then golf pro) took over the T-boxes, fairways and greens. Seed bids went out as well as turf equipment and sprinkler bids.
The City hired a small crew of three men, with Aaron Pace as foreman to complete the day to day labor. The massive amount of rock was listed as a problem, but ingenuity and vision included that as part of the landscape, and it is a feature that gives the golf course it’s own flair. Those rocks are part of what makes the Roosevelt Golf Course unique. It is part of the individual nature of our surroundings, part of what makes Roosevelt unique.
The golf course is a gem, the efforts of so many are still being recognized and enjoyed daily on the Roosevelt Golf Course.