Masters brings rush to area courses

Most out-of-town visitors to Columbia County this week will no doubt come to watch golf. Local golf courses are hoping they'll do more than just watch.

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"Usually during these nine days we'll run through about 1,500 golfers on our course," said Micah Hicks, the general manager of Jones Creek Golf Club.

Jones Creek is one of five golf courses in Columbia County and one of three open to the public. All three public courses expect increased traffic this week but said tee times are still available on some days.

"For us, Saturday morning is already overbooked," Hicks said. "We do have some availability, but it depends on which day. You may have to be flexible."

Hicks said the 18-hole course with TifEagle Bermuda greens has benefited from a mild winter and warm early spring. The same is true at Bartram Trail Golf Club.

"The golf course is absolutely gorgeous. It's perfect right now," Bartram Trail head golf pro Robby Watson said.

The county's newest course, Bartram Trail is in its second year of operation. Watson said the course's relatively new status might make booking a tee time a little easier.

"A lot of people from out of town may not know we're out here yet," he said. "There is still an opportunity to get a tee time, but it will pick up soon."

Golfers too late in booking a tee time at one of the public courses will have one last option - miniature golf.

"We're hard at work trying to get everything ready," said Mark Ross, the owner of Putt-Putt Golf and Games in Martinez.

Two 18-hole miniature golf courses will be open 15 hours a day at Putt-Putt this week. Ross said an unlimited golf special, Masters trivia and a three-round amateur tournament Wednesday night are just a few of the extras offered during Masters week.

"We've got guys who will play golf all day long, watch the Masters for four hours then come play here for four hours," Ross said.

Adventure Crossing, a new amusement park off Interstate 20 in Evans, also offers two 18-hole miniature golf courses.