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GOLF

We got to the 7th hole, and I hit a great drive in the fairway that left me with only a 9-iron. I hit my first poor shot of the day, hit it heavy and left it 30 yards short. Then, I hit my chip shot a bit thin, but the ball hit the flagstick. It dropped in the hole for birdie! Sometimes you have to be lucky to be good. I guess the ball would have been at least 15 feet past the hole if it didn’t hit the stick. I ended with pars on 8 and 9 to cap off the (-10), 61! It was such a fun day and one that will most likely never happen again. Ten birdies and no bogeys. One of Ryan Smith’s playing companions during his years at Forest Highlands was Eric Slack, PGA. Slack was hired as Head Professional in 2006 and his career at FHGC spanned eight years. “I probably played more golf at Forest Highlands with Ryan than anyone. We always had a great time playing together,” shared Slack in a phone conversation from Fayetteville, Arkansas. “Ryan had the innate ability to overpower a golf course, but he also had a great course demeanor. He never got too high or too low when we played. He is a tall, athletic guy who is a lefty. He was a hockey player, so that sport helped him generate speed and horsepower with his golf clubs,” Eric explained. “Ryan was a streaky player who could hit it close and often made a lot of putts. “ Today, Ryan Smith resides in Durango with his wife and five-month-old daughter. He doesn’t have any other course records currently. He has had a few rounds in the 60’s including his low round of 66 at the Glacier Club. Smith’s record round is commemorated with a square wooden plaque with a large ‘61’ and the August date etched in wood. It is on the wall in the Canyon pro shop. Smith reflected on his achievement now a decade ago, “Looking back…that round was a bit of an outlier. I got on a heater and a lot of putts went in. The stars were aligned that afternoon.”

William Godfrey is an author, biographer and Forest Highlands Club Historian. He and his wife, Wendy Huck Godfrey, became Members in May 2021. He can be reached at 602-750-1468 or willgodd@gmail.com.

VOICE IN THE PINES • AUGUST 2024