Golf season opens in Sisters

Golfers took advantage of great opening day weather at Aspen Lakes. photo by Jim Cornelius

Balmy spring weather welcomed golfers who turned out for the opening day of the season at Aspen Lakes on Friday, March 12.

The unseasonably warm and sunny weather may not last but while they can, early golfers are dusting off their clubs and working the rust out of their swings.

The golf course located at Highway 126 and Camp Polk Road just east of Sisters is making some changes this year.

Permanent bathroom facilities are currently under construction and will be ready when golf season is in full swing. A practice bunker has been added at the driving range for golfers to fine tune their sand play.

"Our bunkers are definitely a signature of Aspen Lakes," said head golf professional Wayne Clark. "And now everyone will have an opportunity to test them out before getting on the course."

A new fairway bunker has been added along the right side of hole No. 17.

"This was in the original design and adds more character to the drive from this elevated tee," said Clark.

Starting in May there will be a monthly Couples Night on Fridays, Family Night on Sundays, and a Free Concert Series on the driving range to include a golf clinic before the music starts. Aspen Lakes is also working in cooperation with Sisters Athletic Club on a spring "Get Fit For Golf" class which includes golf instruction and personal fitness training along with a Tuesday night golf league.

This year's Outlaw Open is set for Friday, June 18, at 1:30 p.m. The golf course is donated for the day for a fund-raiser to support Sisters High School athletic programs.

There will be three major golf events held at Aspen Lakes this year. The Pacific Amateur, held the first week of October, brings over 600 golfers to Central Oregon and uses both Aspen Lakes and Black Butte Ranch to host their various flights. The Second Annual Central Oregon Shoot-Out, presented by Community Mortgage Services, is held the first weekend of May. The Pacific Northwest PGA Section will use Aspen Lakes in August to host the first stage of qualifying into the National Club Professional Championship.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for our local crowd to come out and watch the best players in the Northwest compete in our backyard," Clark said.

For more information call 549-4653.

Black Butte Ranch is shooting for an April 1 kick-off to the golf season -- weather permitting.

Call 595-1500.