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Show MONDAY • MARCH 6 • 2006 WWW.NETXNEWS.NET AIO Area golf course preview Whitney Woodward Sports Writer Salt Lake remembered With Torino now in the past. I can't help but recollect back to the winter of 2002 when Salt Lake was graced with the rare chance of entertaining the world. One may wonder if something lasting only two short weeks is really worth preparing years for, but I think just about anyone would tell you "absolutely." There's something magically glistening and emotionally therapeutic about the world coming together to watch normal people with a special gift, and with a desire to perfect that gift. In Salt Lake, I worked on a logistics Crew at the E-Center. There, I eavesdropped on Wayne Gretzky in a cell phone conversation with his wife, arguing who should have to pick up the kids. I talked with NBC's Jim Lampley about how there was nothing more he looked forward to than gracing an Olympic mic. I watched American hockey team captain Chris Chelios throw some brand new Nike tennis shoes he had worn once, into a locker room trashcan (I actually own those shoes to this day). And I'll certainly never forget the gold medal game, me in my purple vest laying out the carpets onto center ice for the Canadian and American medalists. There was nothing like being apart of all that. For me, the Olympic experience was uniquely different from others who share there own fond memories of being right amidst that same spirit shooting up out of Rice Eccle's See RANT -A7 As the temperatures rose to the upper 50's this past Saturday, men and women of all ages flocked to area golf courses with their first opportunity of their year to dust off the clubs. While playing myself recently. 1 had the chance of chatting with some of those golfers, and often posed the question: which course is the best in Utah County? I'll discuss that and more as I evaluate and give you my top five places to play. Starting with number five is Tri-Cities in American Fork. This public course has been around a long time, and is considered one of the older courses in the state. But don't let that fool ya. At just a hair over 7,000 yards, Tri-Cities puts a premium on a good and straight tee-shot which is what a lot of golfer's with huge drivers enjoy. And it's one of the cheapest courses around. At just over $10 per 9 holes, walking this one is the budget move I make quite regularly. John Thompson of Pleasant Grove told me, "Tri-Cities is a challenging course, but it's more a beautiful course than anything. Trees line most of the fairways, and water comes into play a bit also." The course's grooming seems to be a matter of taste. Some that I talked to considered it immaculate, while others weren't impressed. Personally, I see both arguments. There are some very high, uncut fairways, as well as a few greens that have been over-fertilized and burned by chemicals. Number four is Cedar Hills Golf Club located just at the mouth of American Fork Canyon. With varied terrain from valleys to mountainside golfing, this course offers golfers several different landscape challenges, as well as the largest bunkefs seen anywhere around. Designed by Graves and Pascuzzo, who are very well known all over the world for their designs, designed this 6,700 yard mix of links-style golf with a touch of desert-mountain golf on the side. They did a fantastic job at incorporating the natural landscape into their work, starting off with a terrifying 200yard drop to the fairway on the first hole. Bring plenty of balls though, as there have been many complaints of the tall native grass, that during summer months line most of the back nine. Cedar Hills could have been in my lop three if it weren't for the crazy layout one encounters when trying to get to the tenth tee. If that's where you're starting, you have to drive through half the course to get there. "It almost made me drive back to the clubhouse asking for my money back." said Stacy Costello of Pleasant Grove. "No one should have to drive through that much golf course to start off the back nine." I concur. In third is the Golf Club at Thanksgiving Point. Pricey and seemingly out of reach for many, this Johnny Miller design is probably the biggest in the area, and maybe even the state. Thanksgiving Point is also nationally known for hosting a Senior PGA tour event called the Champions Challenge. At over 7,700 yards and covering nearly 200 acres, this club See GOLF A8 Cabela's takes Utah by storm Lehi store is Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts Ben Webster H&R BLOCK Maximum Refund Guaranteed #1 Income Tax Firm in the Country Instant Money, Electronic Filing Accurate & Affordable Service Tax Professionals Trained & Knowledgeable Trust our Experience 50 Years Preparing Taxes Convenient Hours includes Weekends & Evenings Your Tax Preparation WHhThisAd Wt; Accept Ci.Jl-.(H,'»it-/C! < M. Orem - T275 H Slate, 223-9766 • 9. Ortm - 735 S State, 225-4018 Provo Bngfum's Landing -1774 N University Pkwy, Ste 22, 373-9900 \n S«ara - 852-2563 • Provo -110 S 500 W, 374-2000 t* m -owl - Sports Writer When Cabela's opened up shop in Lehi back in August of last year, Utah got more than just another outdoor retailer trying to sell shotguns, fishing poles and one-piece camouflage suits. Instead, it got an outdoorsman's paradise all wrapped inside a 175,000-square-foot log cabin. The catalog-gone-retail outlet features more outdoor adventure than a trip to Yellowstone. For those who have already stopped by since their summer release, you're aware that Cabela's doesn't just offer mere products for purchase, but rather a unique and exciting fish and game atmosphere to be enjoyed by all ages. "People come from miles to see what we have," said manager Brett Kent. "We have more than just a hunting or a fishing store, we have a complete outdoor experience." Visitor's can view a wide array of impressive displays, such as 45,000 and 10,000-gallon aquariums, a big game museum, an African diorama, and even Courtesy Visit the new Cabela's outdoor retailer off 1-15 in Lehi for a complete outdoor experience. a 30-foot mountain, featuring over 400 mounted animals. Other features include dog kennels, RV and semi parking, meeting and banquet facilities, as well as an indoor archery range. Whether it's fish, skins, shoulder mounts, or life-sized mounts, there is something to see. When you visit, plan on taking in the entire experience during the estimated four hours you'll probably spend there. That's how long the company says the average visit lasts. "People come here to see the mounts, see the fish, and not just to make a purchase. When they get here, they want to enjoy it," said Kent. If you happen to get hungry during that time, there's no need go off and find a place. Cabela's provides it's own. The See CABELA'S A9 |