Big Meadow Golf Course closes early

Black Butte Ranch (BBR) has announced the early closing of the Big Meadow Golf Course. The last day of operation was Sunday, October 22.

The Big Meadow Golf Course opened late this year due to delays in the completion of the extensive remodel of the championship course. When the course was finally opened, golfers were forced to use temporary tees, as the grass on the redesigned tee boxes was not sufficiently mature to be safely used.

The delays in opening and the necessity of the temporary tees were caused by the late spring snowfalls, according to Jeff Fought, the director of golf at BBR.

The early closure of the Big Meadow Golf Course came as a disappointment to not only BBR residents but also visitors who quickly came to appreciate the updated and redesigned course. World-renowned designer Robert Muir Graves created a classic masterpiece at Big Meadow, and the remodel has proved faithful to the original design and concept, a rare event in the golf industry.

The early closure was deemed necessary by Fought to allow for completion of a few remaining projects at the course and driving range prior to the onset of winter weather.

The Glaze Meadow Golf Course, a Gene "Bunny" Mason design, will remain open until the first snowfall, as has long been the custom at BBR. This course is also slated for a complete redesign; one of the main changes will be the conversion of the controversial first hole which is a double dog leg par 5 into a single dog leg par 4. Also in the plans is a new practice facility to be placed adjacent to the Glaze Meadow golf club house.

The course remodel is possibly scheduled to commence during the next year; however, Fought remains silent on the subject.

Fought has previously said, "We plan to get to Glaze (Meadow) soon and make it as nice as Big (Meadow). But we don't have any definite plans yet."

Tee times for Glaze Meadow may be made by calling either 800-399-2322 or 595-1500.