Fore!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Antonio Gonzalez
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
There's an old joke among military golfers about what each of the four military services would do if they arrived to work one morning and the door was barricaded.

The Marines would post a guard immediately, order him to stand at attention and secure the perimeter. The Army would march in formation around the building. The Navy would head for the beach, and the Air Force would make a bee-line for the golf course.

Although the scenario is in good fun, Airmen stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base have the opportunity to make a bee-line to the Fox Run golf course during their off time.

"It's an 18-hole United States Golf Association rated course," said Larry Busch, Fox Run golf course general manager. "Yardage wise, it's a short course, but our greens are small and our fairways are tight making it challenging."

Golfers don't need to make a tee time during the week. Those on active duty can call as early as Wednesday to reserve a weekend tee time. Retirees can start calling on Thursdays.

"It's easy to get a tee time here," said Busch. "We're not that crowded, and it's convenient because we're located on base."

"Right now, our course is in exceptionally great shape considering the drought we're in and the 100 degree weather we had all summer," he added. "We have two water wells so we're in much better shape than the average course downtown."

The convenient location and well-manicured fairways and greens are just some of the advantages to golfing at Fox Run.

Airmen 1st Class Braden Thomson, 2nd Security Forces Squadron patrolman, enjoys the laid-back environment the golf course offers.

"Normally courses have regulations on your clothing wear such as collared shirts, khaki pants and golf shoes," he said. "Fox Run is more casual. Clothing must still be appropriate because this is a military installation, but no one will harass you if you're not in a polo shirt."

The golf course also offers club rentals that start at $5 and go up to $15.

"Better golfers are typically the ones who get the $15 clubs," said Busch. "If you're just coming out here for the first time to try it out I suggest the $5 set, that way it doesn't cost as much."

Fox Run also offers discounts and specials such as sundown fees.

"Sundown fees this time of year start at 1 p.m.," said Busch. "It's unlimited golf for half the price, seven days a week. During the summertime it starts at 3 p.m."

"We also have a practice facility," he added. "You get 17 balls for a dollar, and if you need clubs, we'll let you use them for free."

The pro-shop also carries a full line of golf merchandise and apparel.

"If we don't have it in the shop, I can special order it for you," said Busch. "The big advantage is you save on tax if you purchase it here."

All the revenue brought in by the shop goes to support the golf course.

"Everyone who works at the course is a non-appropriated fund employee," said Busch. "No tax-payer money goes toward the golf course. Every penny we make out here is what we use to sustain the golf course."

For more information, contact the Fox Run golf course at 456-2263.