Eagles Pride Golf Course Range at Fort Lewis (Photo by Rob Perry)
Every summer, the golf range at Fort Lewis’ Eagles Pride Course is filled with hundreds of military children participating in golf camps.
TARGET GOLF
Every golfer needs a good place to practice. Here are a few of our other favorite places to fine-tune our swing in between summer road trips:
Puetz Golf • Seattle
11762 Aurora Ave N • (206) 362-2272
Covered stalls with custom-fitting on-site
Interbay Golf Center • Seattle
2501 15th Avenue W • (206) 285-2200
Two-tier covered, heated stalls, plus
large outdoor chipping and putting greens
Gold Creek Tennis and Sports Club • Woodinville
15327 140th Pl NE • (425) 487-1090
Covered and grass tees, putting and
chipping area, sand trap
Columbia Super Range • Everett
511 128th St. SE • (425) 338-2424
Covered, heated stalls, large putting green
and nine chipping greens
Tacoma Firs Family Golf Center • Tacoma
4504 S. Tyler Street • 253-472-6899
Two-tier covered and open stalls,
18-hole mini golf, putting, chipping and bunker areas
As the kids work on their swings, mothers with cameras or cell phones stand several feet away taking pictures. Those pictures then will be sent with pride to their fathers serving in the war-torn regions of Afghanistan or Iraq.
That’s what you call a morale-builder.
“It makes you think for a second, ‘What I’m doing is not very important — or is very important,’’’ said Eagles’ golf professional Eric Bowen, who has run the camps for the past two years. “It allows families to communicate like that.”
Anyone can use the 270-yard-long, screened-in driving field for a decent price – just $6 for a 51-ball bucket. There are at least 50 tee positions where you can hit off of natural grass or, during inclement weather, there are 10 covered hitting stations. The range was converted decades ago from a long par-5 (it’s now a par-4).
Bowen also has a covered instructional area with the latest in teaching equipment such as video machines and the Megsa training system, which helps the golfer understand the proper arc to the swing.
At a time when Lynnwood’s Kaddyshack range has closed and the proposed West Seattle Golf Course range is a no-go because of neighborhood concerns, the Eagles Pride range is a valued community resource.
Although the range is for use by the general public, the first priority is for military families.
“That’s our focus, our No. 1 goal,’’ Bowen said.
He added that for some soldiers, learning to play golf could become a necessity. They may be advised by their commanders to learn a lifetime sport or they may need to play the game to make better business contacts.
“If you’re in the military for 20 years, you may retire at age 39 or 40. They have another career ahead of them,’’ Bowen said. “People are looking for an avenue into the game. We’re dealing with some pretty competitive people and they bring that competitive attitude to the range.’’
Many in the military come from rural or poor backgrounds that provide little or no exposure to the game growing up. The range may be the first time they ever pick up a club.
“We have the opportunity to instruct people,’’ Bowen added, “and give them an understanding how to play this game.’’ — Bob Sherwin
