Bijou golf — more about fun than competition
By Kathryn Reed
“I don’t golf, but I have golfed” is how I describe my experience with that little white ball and those odd looking clubs.
It had been at least a dozen years since I swung a club other than at putt, putt golf.
Brooke Laine putts while her son, Nik Olivares, holds the flag. Photo/Kathryn Reed
Nik and Kevin play two or three times a week at Bijou Golf Course. They are in their early 20s. Brooke plays randomly. She and I are in our late 40s. It wasn’t too embarrassing, but there was the constant question from Brooke – “Where is the flag?” My continual response was – “It didn’t matter.”
Nik tells us to sweep the grass with the club. He tells us a lot of things that at least I’m not able to implement.
When pink balls can’t be found in the rough, others bounce off fences and some are thrown farther than they are hit, well, the score isn’t perfectly kept.
On this par 32 course, the guys were in the 40s and the gals in the 50s. I did get a legitimate par (3) on hole 8.
According to Greg Ross, South Lake Tahoe parks manager, about half the people playing the course are seniors, tourists dominate in the summer and locals make up the majority in the shoulder seasons.
Kathryn Reed receives instruction from Nik Olivares. Photo/Brooke Laine
“We definitely have a niche in the market,” Ross told Lake Tahoe News.
Even though he said the number of golfers declined in the last handful of years, he said the downward adjustment in prices and the early opening this year have been good for Bijou.
The week before Memorial Day the grounds are less than perfect, though. Hole 9 is getting a new tee, which may change it from a par 4 to a par 3. The hole for No. 3 is on the fairway as crews work on the green. Some of the ground is bare in spots. The back holes are definitely in the best condition.
Kevin Lecuro sinks a putt. Photo/Kathryn Reed
Despite the pristine conditions of some other courses, Bijou is very much a typical municipal golf course. And like most courses, the setting is beautiful. Snow is still visible on Freel and Jobs peaks. Looking back from No. 6 Mount Tallac distinctly stands out.
It’s a different type of walk in the woods.
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Notes:
• Rates, times and other info about Bijou Golf Course are online.
• Phone number – (530) 542.6097
• Address – 3464 Fairway Drive, South Lake Tahoe.