Personal Blog #2: Sami Crouch

Utah is known for having a very physically active population. With the wide variety of topography across the state, almost all sports enthusiasts can find their niche. From the mountains to the deserts to the numerous national parks and lakes, Utah has it all.

For the golf enthusiast, there is an abundance of magnificent golf courses from one end of the state to the other. But Salt Lake City in particular, is home to numerous public golf courses for anyone to play. These courses each have very distinct features and qualities about them. This allows dedicated golfers to vary their experiences on the course, and those new to the game to have a wide selection of courses to choose from.

As a competitive golfer, I have spent many summers playing most of the courses in Salt Lake City and beyond. From The Old Mill that slopes off of the mountains in the East, to the marshland of Wingpoint in the West, the landscapes of golf courses throughout the valley are amazingly distinct. In the south lies Thanksgiving Point, with stunning foliage blanketing every inch of the grounds. Bonneville takes the north side, shielded under thousands of century-old trees. Right in the center of the city lies Golf-in-the-Round which is perhaps the most unique facility of all. It offers an executive course with a semi-circular range that's open year-round. Rather than using simple flags as targets, this range has an old abandoned battered car placed right in the center of the hitting area and a 100-ft tall Pepsi bubble on top of a golf tee to be used as hitting targets. Heated stalls provide just enough warmth to take the edge off during the cold winter months in Utah.

One of the most fascinating aspects of these golf courses is the way that they mirror the town or area in which they are found in. It’s easy to get a great sense of the people's lifestyles living nearby, as well as their social class and environment. Playing these courses during my childhood allowed me to explore Salt Lake City with a particular vantage point which gave me a unique feel of what Salt Lake City is all about.