Granite Shadows is a hit “fore” sure

Just a few miles out of town is the most recent attraction in the community and it is one you can fly to, get warmed up, play a round, and then fly home – or just drive to.

Granite Shadows has opened its doors to all the golfers in the community. It is the closest nine-hole course to Delta Junction – complete with a driving range. Owner Randy Wood envisioned in 2018 offering this community a golfing experience without having to drive all the way to one of the three courses in Fairbanks.

Woods chuckled, “as far as I have been able to find out, this is the only golf course in Alaska that you can fly in and play a round.”

In the seven years that Woods has been working on this dream, he has finally crossed the line to where he is inviting the community to come out and see what he has to offer.

After visiting the course, it is evident that this is no cookie cutter nine-hole par three course. There are some par three holes, but the holes that will test even the best golfers are the two par 5’s. Both holes are either near 500 yards or longer and will test the golfer on his ability to read the fairway and the doglegs.

The course is not fully complete, but no golf course ever is because of greens maintenance, the moving of hole locations on the greens, and changing hazards around the course.

Woods said that there will be a couple of sand traps going in over the next few days and that they will be off the temporary greens as soon as the grass is ready.

When talking about some of the people he has had come to the newly opened course, Woods lit up with excitement as he commented that many of his newest customers have never picked up a golf club in their lives. “They’re loving it,” beamed Woods.

While asking about what else is offered at the course Woods shared that they do have golf instruction available. He chuckled about being the only “fly-in” golf course in Alaska and said he is planning a tournament or two this season.

Woods commented that going from a buffalo and elk ranch to a golf course has been an interesting transition but that he wanted to be able to offer the community something special.

When asked how long he plans to keep the golf course going, Woods said, “as long as the community supports it.”

Granite Shadows Golf Course is located on Clearwater Road across from the Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department station. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily and can be reached at 907-616-9221 for reservations.

Granite Shadows is a hit “fore” sure

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