Blackfoot Municipal Golf Course

Detailed description of Blackfoot Municipal Golf Course

Blackfoot Municipal Golf Course is a Public 18 hole golf course located in Blackfoot, Idaho.

Blackfoot Municipal Golf Course first opened for play in 1960. The course was designed by George Von Elm

In 1956 ground was cleared and grass was then planted on the first four holes in 1957. In 1958 construction started on the last five holes of the front nine. Play commenced on the front nine on June 7, 1960. Construction on the back nine began in 1978 and was completed in 1980.

The front nine is narrow with a few long par-4's, and the back nine is more open and easier. Water comes into play on nine holes, and most of the greens on the front nine are well-bunkered. Hole #7, a 145-yard, par 3, requires a tee shot that must carry over a small lake onto a green protected by sand bunkers on the front and back sides.

Par for the course is 72. From the back tees, the course plays to 6,732 yards. From the forward tees, the course measures 5,789 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 12, a par-5 that plays to 515 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 7, a par-3 that plays to 135 yards from the back tees.

Watch out for # 3, a 441 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole is # 16, a 145 yard par-3.

George Von Elm 

The architect of the Blackfoot Golf Course was also the golf professional there from 1957-1960. Von Elm was among the great amateur golfers, like Bobby Jones, when amateur golf was in its prime in the 1920s. Von Elm's duals with Jones became legendary. These duels started in 1924 when Von Elm surprised many by finishing the US amateur as the runner-up to Jones. The following year Jones eliminated Von Elm in the semi-finals. In 1926 Von Elm defeated Jones to win the US Amateur. This was the only US Amateur Bobby Jones lost in a five-year span. Von Elm was also a member on three Walker Cup teams. As an amateur, Von Elm also finished runner-up in the 1926 Los Angeles Open, fourth in the 1928 US Open, and fifth in the 1929 US Open. In the 1930's Von Elm turned professional and made a career out of golf. During his professional career, he played out of Los Angeles and won several different tournaments. He was the head professional at Hacienda Golf Course from 1950-1953. He "retired from golf," moved to Utah, and eventually ended up in Idaho, and began construction of Blackfoot.