Golf all year round: Keep game sharp at year-round facility

There are no pars, birdies, eagles or bogies. No rough, no water hazards or lost golf balls to worry about ... just good golf shots, those that are not so good and those that are sooner forgotten.

Otherwise, it's golf made easy ... just step up, hit the ball and watch the results, and then hit again and again and again.

Golf in the Round practice facility, a driving-putting-chipping range near the center of Salt Lake City, offers golfers that opportunity to hit and hit and hit year-round.

The center is so-named because of its wrap-around shape that has golfers aiming for any number of targets, including a frequently hit and well-dented BMW.

What the practice facility does, recognized Doug Vilven, a master PGA professional and a partner in the golf center, "is it gives golfers an out in the winter. ... I figure we've saved, over the years, at least 600 marriages — maybe more."

Vilven and Doug Rosecrans came up with the idea of a year-round golf facility back in the early 1990s.

"We traveled around the country, to some year-round centers in warmer climates, took a lot of pictures and came up with the idea of a heated, covered structure where golfers could hit year-round here in Salt Lake City," said Rosecrans.

There are 30 heated stalls within its enclosed structure with an open front, complete with pads of artificial turf and rubber tees to hit from.

Construction began at the center, located at 3300 S. 600 West, in 1992. It opened to anxious golfers in November 1993.

"Obviously, one of the draws we used was the heated areas," said Vilven. "Arguably, it was a success because we're still in business."

On snowy, wintery days, when ski resorts are getting buried and the only activities at area golf courses is blowing snow, there are always a few of the die-hard golfers huddled under the covered pavilion, hitting golf balls out to who knows where.

On sunny days, even with temperatures below freezing, the center is busy. "Always with a few beginners, but mostly your better golfers who want to stay loose and work on their shots," continued Vilven.

Things start to liven up in January.

Often, those hitting are people going on vacations to warmer climates and planning to play a little golf. And, since they may be paying upwards of $100 a round, want to hit a few golf balls before they leave.

"Also, from January on, there are those golfers who just need to get out of the house. That's where we figure we save marriages. Many are golfers who simply want to loosen up and keep their skills up so they're ready when they are able to get out on the course," he said.

The busiest month is March, followed by April, May and June. Activities slow down a little in the spring and summer, pick up in the fall and start to get active again in January.