But owner Ron Gillette and his faithful crew held on gallantly. And like they say, you should see it now.
Not only has the course made a comeback but it’s been picking up more and more players – especially since Santa Teresa Country Club began to have troubles. And now, with Santa Teresa Country Club’s two courses completely closed, the Prime of Life Players (better known as the POLPS) are making Dos Lagos their base course.
Jim Rewis, one of the group’s honchos, says, “We enjoy it out here and what a bargain. You can get 10 rounds of 18 holes with a cart for only $200!”
Getting the group is an added bonanza for the country-like, family-type course and one can say that it couldn’t happen to a nicer golf course.
TRIVIA question: This is mostly for oldtimers. Who was the first female to appear on the cover of a Wheaties box? Answer at end.
MORE INFO on Dos Lagos: The price of $200 for 10 rounds of golf is with half a cart and is for weekdays only, not weekends, which is still a great deal. And if you walk on non-weekend days, it’s only $110 for the 10 rounds of 18 holes.
A SUGGESTION from reader Ray Sias: “I was wondering why UTEP (and El Paso) haven’t honored Coach Don Haskins more appropriately. Yes, they re-named the Special Events Center the Don Haskins Center (The Don) but that’s it. I think it would be nice to erect a nice bronze statue of coach at the east entrance of The Don. That would be a classy way to honor a man who, more than anyone else, put El Paso on the map. Imagine the statue with coach holding his rolled-up program leaning forward with that famous ‘Bear’ scowl on his face? Classic! Just look at Harry Caray’s statue outside Wrigley Field. That’s what we need. I don’t know if there are plans to do this, but it’s just a thought. Any comments?”
CORRECTION: The UTEP fan that was nominated for induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame is Larry Rodriguez, not as stated in this column last week. He’s done so much to help Miners fans he’s become somewhat of a legend. Sorry for the error
THEY SAY there’s no such thing as a sure thing in horse racing. How true. A bettor in California bet $18,000 to win on a horse from the West Coast that was running at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino recently. The horse looked like, uh, “a sure thing.” He was nosed out at the wire.
THE EL PASO sports world lost one of its biggest stars last month with the passing of Bill Ikard. His biggest passion was golf. He was an outstanding amateur player, winning, among other meets, the Anthony Invitational, one of the area’s grand slam events. He was also a great ambassador for the game and El Paso. He participated in senior amateur events throughout the world and won more than a few of them. And he hosted some of those meets here in the El Paso area himself. In his younger days, he lettered in football in high school and college and then became a highly respected football and basketball referee, working UTEP and local high school games among others. He holds a special niche in El Paso area sports lore.
ANSWER to trivia question: Mary Lou Retton.