BLUE LAKES GOLF COURSE By Bob Harvey
Nature did the "Spade Work" for the golf course near Blue Lakes
"Forces of nature that shaped the rugged Blue Lakes contours along Snake River north of Twin Falls inadvertently did the spade work for what promises to be one of the nation's most challenging golf courses."
This was the opinion of Francis L. James, golf course architect, who drafted specifications for the Blue Lakes Country Club golf course. Architect James knows whereof he speaks for he has built more than 100 courses. Formerly of Scotland, he designed and supervises the University of Idaho golf course that nestles in the Palouse Hills west of that institution at Moscow.
Of the 300 acres set aside for the golf course, 34 were seeded. A feature of the course is alternate tees to accommodate both beginner and expert golfers.
In his preliminary estimate, James wrote:
"My first impression of the site... was the extreme ruggedness. Here is a place on which a course could be built of a nature rarely equaled in any part of the country. I am happy to say that, after spending some days there and staking the course out, you really have something of which you may well be proud. Not only will it make up into an exceptionally fine golf course, but one which will be a real test of the game."
Continuing he comments,
"the extra tees offer a diversity of play on each nine, the length and character of holes calling for every shot in the bag." The golf expert, in outlining such details as construction of fairways, putting greens, tees, traps and other features, points out that the contours provide a natural setting complete with hazards, for a top flight course. "At Twin Falls you are very fortunate in having access to all the water you can possibly use, which will facilitate use of nearly any type of sprinkling system. The landscaping of your golf course should not be done in a haphazard fashion. It is a permanent part of your course and in itself will express much of its finest beauty."
During the summers before the golf course was finished and could be used, many of the members would spend weekends with rakes and shovels cleaning up debris, making many picnic areas along Alpheus Creek and other places in the canyon.
Play started on the original nine holes in 1948. Tees were added over the years to change the distance and play of the "front and back" nines. A tram was built to take the golfers from the low (or river) holes to the higher holes. With the advent of motorized golf carts, the tram became unnecessary.
In the late 1970's, the golf course was expanded to 18 holes, which carried through with the original design. Instead of just "adding on", the original holes were deftly integrated into the whole course.