Tee Time! Pine Oaks Golf Course welcomes newbies, pros

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  On a typical summer day, Pine Oaks Golf Course sees about 60 people try their swing at its 6,343-yard course. Hoping to increase the number of people taking it to the greens, Michael Baker, PGA professional and facility manager, has started to offer new incentives.

In 2015, Baker started offering squadron memberships. With a minimum of four members, monthly dues would be $70 for a single member. If a golfer plays four rounds of golf a month, it is a savings of $60. That savings only increases for the squadron if more people join.

"If you're a golfer, it's a no-brainer," he said.

The goal is to have 200 members to help offset the cost of maintaining the golf course to the high standards that Baker expects.

"I would put us up against any golf course in the area," he said.

With four par-5, five par-3 and nine par-4 holes, the course is challenging and has no bad holes, Baker said. The longest holes are 13 and 17, which are both 560 yards.

Other programs, such as Clinics and Cocktails, a beginner's league and evening special rates are also some things the resident golf professional has put together to drum up business.

Between 4 and 7 p.m. each day, the cost is $20 per person to play for 18 holes with a cart. Walking costs $12 per person. Sunday afternoons from 2 p.m. to closing are family days. Prices are based on rank and start at $22.50 for E1s through E4s, with children playing for free.

Baker is also offering a healthy incentive to those who walk the course. The 100-mile club members will be put on a wall of honor in the clubhouse and also be given a T-shirt. A nine-hole round is roughly 2.5 miles. The whole course is 5 miles, which equates to playing 20 rounds of 18 holes to reach the 100-mile mark.

"This is their base. This is their facility. It is going to continue to get better," Baker said.

For more information about Pine Oaks, call DSN 468-4103 or (478) 926-4103.