Round Valley Golf Course
Round Valley Golf Course is located in Morgan, Utah which is about 30 minutes east of Ogden City. Morgan is a small farming and railroad town that seems to be creeping closer and closer to the Wasatch Front as the land in the canyons and adjacent foothills become developed. So far, zoning restrictions have kept out the huge housing subdivisions now found in other Utah mountain communities.
The quickest way to Round Valley from Salt Lake City is through Ogden. From Interstate 15 take the Highway 89 exit by the Lagoon Amusement Park. Follow Highway 89 several miles until reaching Interstate 84 at the mouth of Weber Canyon. Travel east and you will reach Morgan in about 20 minutes.
Alternate
routes from Salt Lake City include the East Canyon Dam road or
Interstate 80 to Interstate 84 at Echo. From whichever direction
you come, once you reach Morgan there are signs to direct you
to the course.
When you finally reach Round Valley Road and drive the last few miles to the course, the narrow road and rural countryside might make you wonder exactly what type of golf experience can be had among the dirt roads and pastures. But, unless you are a snobbish country club member from old money who wouldn't be caught dead swinging your new Callaways within 5 miles of a rodeo arena, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Round Valley Golf Course is privately owned but is open to the public. It's the only golf course in the area so it does cater to the local golf scene but the staff and locals generally go out of there way to make foreigners feel at home.
A few amenities that set Round Valley apart from other courses in the area are the camping facilities and an on-site bar and lounge. The camp sites are located between the fairways and the Weber River so guests can enjoy fishing and outdoor cooking in addition to a round of golf. Reserve and pay for camping in the golf course clubhouse.
The lounge is a private club and provides golfers a full selection of well drinks on the 19th hole. Just because the club is private doesn't mean you can't get in -- just ask for a sponsor if the Utah Liquor Commission police are in town. (By the way, asking for a sponsor works almost anywhere in Utah.)
The course itself is made up of two 9 hole courses that were built over 20 years apart. The front 9 is the older and includes many mature trees and large sand bunkers that have grown deeper with age. Several ponds guard the fronts of greens on the par 3s and the Weber River wetlands flank the entire side of several fairways on longer holes.
Number 3 is the hardest hole to par on the front as it requires a long tee shot which must be threaded between several tall trees and past water hazards on both sides of the fairway. The safe shot is to the right but makes this left dogleg 408 yard par 4 even longer.
Hole number 9 is a long par 5 to an elevated green protected by two deep bunkers in front. There's not much of a chance to roll the ball on as it must carry all the way. Fall short into a bunker and be prepared to hit a high sand shot that will clear the top of a steep lip.
The back 9 is younger and doesn't have the same mature feel as the original holes. The use of modern earth moving and grading equipment has given the tees and fairways a sharper definition. Several streams, ditches, ponds and areas of long wild rough are present to hinder the player from tee to green.
Number 13 is the toughest hole on the course. The par 4 requires a tee shot over an area of thick rough that's bite off as much as you can chew to get yourself into position. The second shot must hit and hold the green which is guarded by a pond and OB on three sides. The pond is actually blind from a distance as the banks are built up higher than the fairway level!
Hole 18 is a unique short par 4. The entire left side of the fairway is bordered by trees and brush until the green appears in a small elevated grove. A long drive to the right side of the fairway is the only way to get a clear wedge shot because of the awkward angle created by the trees.
Overall, the course is fun, challenging and fair. The longer holes are fairly open and allow players to let loose for distance. The shorter holes tend to favor accuracy as they contain most of the severe hazards.
The only complaints the Utah Golf Authority has about Round Valley are the fairways on holes 5 and 7 which are near the river on the lowest point of the course property. This location causes them to be soft and mushy in places because of seeping casual water.
Some of the bunkers are in need of a new layer of sand as the lies are currently a bit thin. But then, that's why they are called hazards.
Other than these minor issues, Round Valley is well maintained, playable by golfers of all abilities, hospitable and offers a great value for the price. And if you would like to mix your golf with camping or fishing, you can't ask for much better.
1442 E. Round Valley Road
Morgan, UT
84050
801 829-3796
18 holes
Blue Tees:
6732 yards
71.5/122
par 72
White Tees:
6183 yards
69.0/117
par 72
Red Tees:
5153 yards
69.0/117
par 72
Manager:
Dennis Peterson
Design:
Mark Ballif, 1969
(front 9)
Ray Lesbergh, 1991
(back 9)
Rates:
Mon-Thurs
Green Fees $16.00
Cart
$8.00
Fri-Sun
Green Fees $18.00
Cart
$8.00
Prices are for 18 holes. Cart price is per person.
Call Monday for tee times on weekends.
Call one week in advance for tee times on weekdays.
No metal spikes allowed.
Facilities:
Pro shop
Driving range
Chipping green
Putting green
Bar and lounge
Camping
Fishing
Course Record:
64 Derek Fox
(competition)
