On the morning of Jan. 9, Seattle was covered in a blanket of fog, and yet resident golfers still arrived early at Jackson Park Golf Course’s new driving range to practice their swing.
The driving range, which opened to the public Jan. 8, is a two-level, 50-stall, lighted and covered facility. It sits on the previous location of the course’s 10th hole.
“The fact that people are coming out in this fog tells us that this is going to be a popular place,” said Jackson Park Golf Course tournament coordinator Geoff McNeish. “We’ve gotten really good feedback on the facility. Everything has finally come together.”
The driving range was built as part of the City’s 2009 Golf Master Plan. The Golf Master Plan provides recommendations for golf course capital improvement projects paid for by course revenues. The Master Plan’s six priorities were to develop perimeter trails around each golf course, complete clubhouse renovations, convert from gas to electric carts and barns, develop tee-to-green cart paths, construct driving range additions and expansions and provide for maintenance facility renovations as needed.
McNeish said the driving range opening has been eagerly anticipated.
“We have a high school senior who works for us who’s been looking forward to this since middle school,” he said.
The range is open from sunup to 9 p.m. daily and offers a two-for-one deal on ball purchases before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. The golf club is also offering deals on purchasing range cards ($100 gets someone $120 worth of credit on their card towards purchasing balls, etc.).
Jackson Park Golf Course plans to have an official driving range grand opening party next month. For more information about prices, location and party details, visit the golf course’s website.