Anchorage's golf community has taken a hit in recent weeks, learning that one of its most popular courses on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson may not reopen for the season.
JBER's Eagleglen Golf Course has been a staple in the community for decades, and the Alaska Golf Association wants to make sure it stays that way.
“The problem with that is you’d find the majority of the public, if given the three golf courses to play, a majority would pick Eagleglen first and the other two second and third,” said Alaska Golf Association Executive Director Jeff Barnhard.
Barnhard has been questioning the closure for weeks, asking why Eagleglen and why now, but he hasn’t been given many answers.
JBER officials haven’t confirmed yet whether or not the course will stay open, but they do say an announcement about a review of both courses on base, Eagleglen and Moose Run can be expected on Thursday.
In addition to the golfing community, local organizations that host charity fundraisers at Eagleglen are also concerned.
“I delayed everything until the end of the month and people are starting to call and ask what’s going on with the golf tournament,” said Carlos Gomez, president of the Scotty Gomez Foundation.
The foundation has been hosting fundraisers at Eagleglen for years. This year, however, tradition may be broken.
“We’re locked in the third Thursday of July and it’s been like that for seven years. So it will be a big change for us and just like everyone else we’ll be scrambling,” Gomez said.
“I guarantee their favorite Saturday is not available somewhere else, I bet money that a Saturday is not available anywhere else,” said Barnhard.
For now, the big question remains; will the golf community sink a hold in one and keep the course? Or will it bogey in its campaign to save Eagleglen.
The Alaska Golf Association says it’s going as far as speaking with the state’s congressional delegation. Barnhard plans on going to great lengths to make sure Eagleglen golf course continues to be a thriving destination in the community.