Gypsum Creek Golf Course opens front nine

GYPSUM — Winter and summer recreation across the valley is now in full swing.

It’s time to trade in the ski poles for golf clubs, or do it right and keep them both readily available, as Gypsum Creek Golf Course opens today.

The front nine will be open with the first tee time of the season coming at 10 a.m. The driving range is also open, and Creekside Grill will serve up lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays. (Creekside Grill will be open seven days a week when the season gets going.)

Carts will be available, but they are to be kept on the path, as some snow is still lingering downvalley.

“It’s looking great,” said Christy Martin, marketing director at Gypsum Creek. “Some of the bunkers have snow in them, though.”

And as all good golfers know, snow would be standing water, and a golfer is entitled to relief, though you may not take your golf ball out of the bunker. The back nine will open when weather permits, but “it’s looking pretty good back there, so I anticipate it will be open here shortly,” Martin said.

While many people are still in ski and snowboard mode, the option to both get on the mountain and play a round of golf in the same day is possible.

“Keep everything in your car,” said Steve Trombetta, of Edwards.

Last year, the golf course opened on Feb. 6.

NEW THIS YEAR

Gypsum Creek Golf Course will be unveiling its new fleet of Yamaha golf carts this season, starting today.

In the fall, the course will undergo a $1.8 million irrigation renovation, brining state of the art irrigation to the links.

And in April, there will be two demo days.

“There’s a lot going on at Gypsum Creek. It just keeps getting better and better,” Martin said. “Come on out and enjoy the beginning of the season. Bring your skis and boots out here and we can take a picture to prove to your friends back home that you actually did meet the challenge in the valley.”

Cost will be $39 for Eagle, Garfield and Summit county residents and $44 for others, which includes the cart fee, and Gypsum Creek recommends calling beforehand to set up a tee time, particularly with regard to possible changes in early-season weather. For more information, visit http://www.gypsumcreekgolf.com or call 970-524-6200.

Reporter Ross Leonhart can be reached at 970-748-2915 and rleonhart@vaildaily.com. Follow him on Instagram at colorado_livin_on_the_hill.