The "Hideout" Golf Course in Monticello Utah is one of those rare "finds" we sometimes stumble across on our journeys through the U.S.A. Southwest. The state of Utah has some fabulous golf courses, set in some incredible landscapes, and The Hideout is another one of those special places that are so easily passed by. We first got a glimpse of the golf course while flying through the south end of Monticello just after first light and far above the speed limit on a quest to transport a minivan from Toronto Canada to Surprise Arizona. I wasn't driving at the time and I just got a glimpse of the tenth hole as we went flying through, but I made a decision that I would return the first chance I got. The fall of 2005 found us in Moab and we made a trip down to Monticello to take a look at the Hideout golf course. When we pulled into the parking area I have to admit we were not very impressed. The small clubhouse and pro shop/snack bar with a walkway and deck on the back looks over the valley and hills of Monticello like a trip into another state. This is red rock country, but the Hideout golf course sits in a very small area that has NO red rock. Like an oasis in a sea of red and orange sandstone outcroppings, it hides its verdant lines up, around, and down the hills and ledges that make up the golf course. The course itself is not easy to see from the clubhouse, but if you look up the hills to the south, southwest, you can see the carpets of green on the hills and down into the valleys. I had spoken to the fellow who takes care of everything on the golf course, a overworked likeable lad who is the course superintendent, golf pro, course manager, greenskeeper, and chief cook and bottle washer when needed. Jim Robison wears many hats and handles them all very well. Putting aside any fears of too high expectations he sent us out on the course to play a round. The journey starts at the very first tee. The memories are a blur of wonderful golf holes that test the best and are fair to everyone. Don't miss it.

said bubbasth1 2007.11.14 at 23:48:55 PST