It isn’t putt-putt: Alpine Golf Course offers first-class golfing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Colleen Wieman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Aviano Air Base, Italy --  The Alpine Golf Course may be small, but it has everything that avid and amateur golfers could want with a great view. 

Open year-round, the golf course offers lessons and tournaments, with the season getting to full swing in April. 

The next tournament is a two-person best ball outing Saturday, with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. People interested in the tournament must sign up by 7 p.m. today by calling Ext. 7386. 

The Alpine Golf Course is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to dusk. The course has nine holes with two different tee boxes; one for the front and one for the back nine. Green fees are affordable with costs depending on rank. 

"The price is a huge difference; if you went downtown, it would be a minimum of €35," said Albert Hobrecht, 31st Services Squadron Alpine Golf Course manager. "Our golf course is easier to play and not as frustrating because you don't lose as many balls."
Currently, the golf course offers private lessons and clinics for adults and youth ages 8 to 13. To sign up for private lessons or clinics, call Ext. 7386. 

This year the golf course has teamed up with the Aviano Youth Center to offer clinics for youth between the ages of 6 to 17. Beginning in April, there will be four five-day clinics held for youth ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 and older. 

"It's a wonderful program," Mr. Hobrecht said. "The youth center did a fantastic job purchasing name brand clubs fitted for those ages." 

People interested in the youth clinic should call the youth center at Ext. 7575. 

The Alpine Golf Course made several improvements to include expanding the outside sitting area and rebuilding the driving range after storm damage. 

"I've seen this go from a pasture to a first-class golf course," said Chris Carney, who has been golfing at the Alpine Golf Course for the past nine years. "Management keeps working to make things better. They provide great customer service and the people are friendly and make me feel comfortable." 

The golf course's Mulligan's Grill is open for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. "The Mulligan's Grill has the best breakfast in town," Mr. Hobrecht said. "They take phone orders so you can pick up your breakfast on the way to work." 

Large orders should be faxed in advance to Ext. 7016. 

Mr. Hobrecht added that the golf course just bought a barbecue pit to host future barbecue outings. 

For more information on the Alpine Golf Course, including a full schedule of tournaments, green fees and rentals, visit http://www.31svs-aviano.com.