By Brent Harris
"Know where the mountain is at all times."
That’s a phrase the Wabash golf team may never forget after playing a round at the exclusive and historic Desert Forest Golf Course in Carefree, Arizona. You see, the course is located near the base of the Black Mountain. Every grain of grass on the greens goes toward the mountain. So even if the putt looks uphill, find the mountain. That’s the way the ball will break.
It was a tough lesson to learn. After spending nine holes with senior Elliot Vice and junior JP Manalo and their course member host Bill McRea, I raced ahead to join seniors Aaron Selby and Jonathan McDowell and freshman Jordan Vice. Every time they reached the green, they would remind each other, "where’s the mountain. Know the mountain."
Another thing to know is the weather. The Phoenix area was in the midst of a 140-day drought, one of the longest in the region’s history. That’s come to an end.The team played in 50-degree weather, but was surprised when the light rain that started late in the round turned to hail, then light snow. Twenty minutes later the sun came out and no remnants of the snow could be found. Welcome to the great Southwest.
After the round the group gathered with Wabash alum Dick Hurckes ’56, who hosted the team at the course for day. They talked about the course, playing the ball off the desert surrounding the course, overseeding the golf course (Wabash players say yes with the other popular phrase of the day being, "overseed." I think love of the course and the history of its development may win out in the end), and, of course, Wabash College.
They even took a moment to pose for a picture taken by a DePauw alumnus who is also a member of the club who took a moment to joke with the team and talk about his memories of the rivalry between the two schools.
Photos – (top) Freshman Jordan Vice tees off with the Black Mountain clearly in view.
(middle) Hail gathers on the practice green near the club house.
(bottom) The golf team with alum Dick Hurckes in the clubhouse after the round.
