Prices don’t damper a
desert golfer’s spirit

By lan Noble .

News Reporter ;
AS autumn takes hold in the Pacifi
. '~ Northwest,.the rains often follow.

For ‘some, that means it’s tine. to head
south to the land of sun, sand and golf.

. Last year, in late September, I followed the

geese south, but with apprehension. Palm

Springs, I knew, had great golf. It also, ‘{’d-

heard, had expensive golf. :

° Thus, as we drove up to the desert oasis, I
“wondered how often I would actually get to
ay, c wt . :
ra P Ms it turned out, a lot. September in Palm

Springs means golfing bargains galore. But
there’s a few warnings golfers must heed to
make sure they get full bang for the American
“Pamphlets advertising golf course deals are
abundant; Newspapers are another great

- source of discount golf. :

The _first.course: I. played: cost US$15, -

‘including ‘electric cart (in 40G: weather, with

4. ... blazing sun, carts are mandatory).

Not ‘expensive, “but, not: a. great course

Nin petite

»> FREE Wilson Staff Sweatshirt

with the purchase of a
. S set of Wilson Staff midsize irons

THE year-round sunshine
of Palm Springs is an

7 enticing rvason for eager
golfers to leave the soggy
Lower Mainland behind. In
September, reasonable
prices at challenging golf
courses in the Californian
resort are another.

om i Son
JEFFERSPORTS
CUSTOM GOLF EQUIPMENT
CUSTOM REFITTING - COME IN FOR A QUOTE
983-9898 1577 PEMBERTON AVE. N. VAN. ©
(ACROSS FROM THE CACTUS CLUB)

GREAT Selection New & Used
GREAT Quality - 4 year warranty
GREAT Prices

GREAT Service © No charge fitting
Gift Certificates for Christmas

Escape to the Ultimate Golf Resort

“mews | LA COSTA RESORT

of the line golf

cither. So I set my sights a litle higher.
.. The next day, I craded US$25 for a round,

& SPA

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 Nights of Accommodation

: f balls. er deal. The :
cart and three golf balls, A super deal. The 18 Holes of Golf Daily, 7 Car Revital Days,

challenging course included plenty of water

and sand hazards, plus the omnipresent condos Unlimited Use of Spa Facilities

lining the fairways.
In such a litigious society, the reasons for

e .
placing dwellings so close to driving golfers FRICE: | 629" Cdn. per person...
could only be clear to lawyers. After a while, Taxes not included. Offer valid through Dec. 21/96 .

asking a homeowner if he’s seen a wayward
Maxfli doesn’t seem like a big deal. Most
condo owners are goifers themselves.

When J arrived at a different golf course the
next day, I learned an important lesson in carly
autuma golf. Ask course employces if they’re
reseeding the course before you arrive. ,

When reseeding, courses stop watering,
turning their courses back to desert in a matter
of days. The dead brown grass scorches the
eyes and is about as enjoyable tohitagolfball §
off of as asphalt. Puffs of dirt greet cach swing.
The score balloons. ;

The next day, 1 went up another notch, to
the US$35 ‘ievel. The payoff was an exquisitely

manicured, geritiy mounded course. ‘ _ "Where nature is your playing partner ‘

The names of che courses really don’t m:t-

in Ithe fall mean B.C, golfers éan-find decent

FOR YOUR FREE 80 PAGE BROCHURE
SEE YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT

omens

ter, Palm Springs and cme oreueae | FRONT 9 OPEN For PLay |

courses at good prices in California vith little

diligence. Green Fees: |

or regular 2 QD

CLEAR
eI

NQBTEAANBS

REGULAR:

9 holes $16, 18 holes $32
SENIOR/JUNIORS:

9 holes $12, 18 holes $24

Discount rate for sentors & funiors
Mon. = Thuts. incisive
AU prices include GST:

| Tee Time Bookings:

For Tee Times only,

call 280-1111

3 Days in advance for 18-holes
2 Days in advance for 9-holes
Tee Time bookings begin

each day at 9:00am

Location:
Northlands Information 990-3828 f i. ™
Northlands Administration 929-9292 al By Nine Holes §

ry

— and

Clubhouse
Opens
May

1997

Locativa Map

NQREULANDS

‘ Power Carts ¢ Pull Carts © Rental Clubs Available |

Temporary Snack Facility

os EAC