Updates On Our Golf Community
Jeff Ranf, AGA President | golfalaska@gmail.com
The golf season in Alaska is swinging into gear quickly. Here is the status of some of the area courses at the moment.
Anchorage Golf Course: Has 17 greens open with one temp (on No. 14). They anticipate the new green will be playable by August.
Moose Run Golf Course: The Hill course is open on all greens with the Creek course yet to be announced, which should happen shortly.
Palmer Municipal Golf Course: We’re happy to announce is open on all 18 greens, driving range is open and Skins Games will be as they have been in the past.
Settlers Bay Golf Course: Is open on all 18 greens and they’re in great shape waiting for you to tee it up.
Kenai Golf Course: Currently is open on the front nine only on permanent greens, and the back nine should open Monday, May 25, on all permanent greens. The course is still a little wet but in good shape.
Chena Bend: The Fairbanks course is opening on May 22 and we’re assuming they’ll be on their greens, but contact them to confirm this.
As we receive news on the status of our courses, we’ll report it. And, as always, check out our website for updates.
We often get questions from our members like, “What does the Alaska Golf Association do exactly?” or “Where do my membership dues go?” Great questions, and I’ll attempt to give you some insight.
The Alaska Golf Association was created the same year our great state became a great state, 1959.
We are working in collaboration with WA Golf to fulfill the core services of the United States Golf Association (USGA), and these services include administering the USGA GHIN Handicap System and Course Rating.
Our office conducts the state championships, as well as conducts other necessary normal business responsibilities, such as funding all required insurances office expenses, and performing bookkeeping. And, more importantly, connecting golfers from Anchorage to Fairbanks to the remote corners of Southeast Alaska. At the end of the day, there’s quite a cost associated with all the services Alaska Golf and WA Golf provides.
However, the bulk of the day-to-day operation requires someone to monitor all the complexities on a local level, and there are many.
Our biggest objective is simply to grow Alaska Golf’s individual and club memberships. Getting more people interested in our organization, and the game of golf, ensures a lasting legacy for generations to come.
As a member of Alaska Golf, the GHIN handicapping system is probably the most visible of functions we provide. Through the USGA, WA Golf administers this system to ensure fairness when either playing with your friends or in a sanctioned event anywhere the GHIN system exists, which is just about anywhere.
Your membership falls under a couple of categories – an individual membership, or through one of the many clubs across Alaska.
Looking forward to a great golf season.