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East Valley players hit the links after dark
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A night golfer prepares to tee up her glow-in-the dark golf ball at Continental Golf Course in Scottsdale on a Saturday evening.
Leigh Shelle Robertus, Tribune
It’s almost dusk at the Continental Golf Club in Scottsdale as dozens of players make their way to their carts. But as the last of the sun settles into the blue-gray sky, this adventurous group has no intention of heading home — their Saturday evening fun is about to begin.
“It’s more about goofing around than playing golf,” says Brad Revis, 50, of Mesa, who came with his buddies for a game of night golf.
Glow-in-the-dark golf attracts everyone from neophytes to diehards, says golf club general manager Rich Strozewski. The club, which for 15 years has offered this after-dark alternative for those tired of plodding through rounds in sweltering sun, draws an average of 60 to 100 people at the every-other-Saturday-night events through the summer (video).
Teams of three to four players play nine holes in a “scramble” format — where the best individual score of a group member is the score that counts.
The great equalizer, of course, is the darkness. The main source of light comes from bright green fluorescent glow sticks that are inserted inside the golf balls and mark the tees. Votive candles flicker around the perimeter of the course.
“It’s different,” says first-time night player Greg Pitz of Tempe, who took a while to adapt to the dark. “You can’t judge the curve of the green.”
But as the night went on, Pitz and playing partners April Tourangeau, 41, of Mesa and Amy Thorpe, 35, of Chandler and the other players seemed to fare better.
The teams learned that success at night golf comes in little, gratifying moments. Like finding their next tee in the thick of darkness. Or not getting beaned by another player’s ball.
And it doesn’t matter if they missed their mark. Chances are, not many will notice.
“Every swing looks fantastic in the dark,” says Strozewski.
Night golf
As the sun sets earlier for the rest of the year, Continental Golf Club, 7920 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, moves up tee times for its mostly-biweekly night-golf scrambles. Games begin 8 p.m. July 21; 8 p.m. Aug. 4; 7:45 p.m. Aug. 18; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1; 7 p.m. Sept. 15 and Sept. 29; 6 p.m. Oct. 27 (Halloween-themed); 6 p.m. Nov. 10 and 5:45 p.m. Dec. 29.
Cost: $35 per player includes buffet dinner, cart and glow ball equipment.
Information: (480) 941-1047
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