b'GOLF ALASKADiscover Palmer Golf Course and AlaskaBY SAM OLSON F ORTY-THREE MILES north of Anchorage it isPalmer, Alaska, a part of the Matanuska-Susitna December 1st and the sun hasnt risen aboveBorough, is home to roughly 6,000 residents. Palmer Pioneer Peak as George Collum awaits golfers amidMunicipal Golf Course opened in 1990 and plays host Alaskas winter slumber. Coffee is brewed, the proto golfers throughout South Central Alaska typically shop is quiet, and a replay of The RSM Classic is faintlyfrom mid-April through mid-October. heard through the speakers of the snack bar. Originally the course was managed by the Obviously people are buying Christmas gifts, itsmunicipality until the late Jeff Barnhart negotiated a a good chance to get out do a little bit of shopping,contract to run the course in 1996. Barnhart enlisted Collum says. Its hard to buy gifts for people typically,Collum to help manage the course in 2001 as golfers but if you have a golfer in your family there isbegan to flock to Palmer. Eventually, George was able something you can get.to take the contract over in 2007, enabling him to place Alaska is notorious for fishing, hunting, and shorthis own legacy and stamp on Alaska golf. summers and long winters. Not the perfect recipe forWhen I took it over, Im like, Okay, this course is so weather to maintain lush grass required for perfectwide open we need to narrow down the fairways a little fairways and putting surfaces. But hidden amongstbit and let the rough grow out. The rough doesnt have other outdoor activities lies a bustling golf community.irrigation so it starts to get stressed out when it gets Golfers navigate the green on Palmers par-3 15th during an early spring round. 6 GOLF ALASKA| MAR 2025'