BUCYRUS — Operations are in full “swing” at The Golf Club of Bucyrus, with a new golf course supervisor taking over the links and other additions and improvements “on par” for the 2019 season.
Jimmy Benton of Galion, who has nearly 30 years of experience in groundskeeping, is the new face grooming the 18-hole course off U.S. 30. He started in January after a lengthy tenure at the former Galion Country Club, now Sycamore Creek.
“I’m going to try and bring the country club conditions to Bucyrus,” said Benton, who is a strong advocate of verti-cutting the greens and keeping the 72-par public course, which opened in 1925, in pristine condition.
But this year, regulars and visitors alike also will have the opportunity to try Crawford County’s first SkyTrak golf simulator, which was installed in March. The simulator in virtual reality allows golfers to play thousands of courses worldwide.
“Some people came in and played the Augusta National before the Masters Tournament, so that’s cool,” said Nate Smith, director of golf for The Golf Club. “You just take a normal swing like you would anywhere on any course, but you’re indoors.”
The simulator, which is hooked up to a desktop computer, tracks the ball speed and distance as well as the launch angle and spin rate, among other things, Smith said, all while the golfer is only 10 feet away from the screen.
The simulator is set up in a 12-by-20-foot heated building, which used to be storage building just outside the pro shop. The back wall was extended about 12 feet to accommodate the impact screen, Smith said, and indoor/outdoor carpeting was also added.
“It’s cool just being able to come in and swing the club in off season with snow on the ground,” Smith said as he teed off from the first hole of Augusta National, birds chirping in the background, “and play a course that just about everyone wouldn’t be able to play.”
Smith, who is logging his fifth year at the golf course, said the simulator room is rented for $40 an hour in off season, but fees for foursomes are being discounted now. Times can be booked online at their website: bucyrusgolf.com.
“You can’t lose your golf ball when you’re in the simulator room,” he joked. “You can hit it in the water as many times as you want.”
In the meantime, the course is gearing up for a Cinco de Mayo Scramble set for Saturday, May 5, at noon and finalizing preparations for youth golf clinics as well as weekly leagues and scrambles, which kick off in May.
