Golf Our Cool Canyon CoursesThe pleasant days of summer are fast approaching and the weather here is delightful. Warm but not too hot. Perfect for almost all of my favorite recreational activities, including boating and water skiing at Lake Powell, fishing at Strawberry, hiking Zion Park's slots, camping in the forest... And chasing little balls around golf courses... The mild temperatures right now make it pleasant to putter around golf courses statewide, from our southern deserts to Park City's mountain meadows.  Mountain Dell Golf Course In Utah, the St George area is a famous golf destination offering excellent courses that are playable year-round. As the heat of summer sets in, mornings will be cool and pleasant but afternoons in the St George area can be blazing hot. During summer, I like to escape to Utah's mountains and canyons, where there are plenty of quality courses with lush greens, beautiful scenery and cool air temperatures. Some 25 public golf courses are located within a 30-minute drive of downtown Salt Lake City. Excellent courses can be found in or near all of our larger towns and in a surprising number of small communities, like Sterling and Ferron. One of my favorites is the Mountain Dell complex, located along I-80 between Salt Lake City and Park City. It offers 36 holes, with 18 stretching down the canyon to Mountain Dell Reservoir and 18 more extending up the mountain. It is a beautiful spot in a forested canyon. Wildlife is abundant here; mule deer and a multitude of birds and small mammals are often seen along the fairways. Now and then a moose wanders through. Salt Lake City's Mountain Dell and Wingpointe courses were recently rated as Top Ten Facilities by the National Golf Foundation (NGF). Hobble Creek is another favorite. It is located in the canyon just east of Springville, south of Provo. It is never overcrowded. A beautiful stream flows through the course. If I get frustrated on the links I can pull out my fly rod and play with spunky brown trout.  Hobble Creek Golf Course Courses are located close to all of our major recreation areas. Moab has a very scenic course set against the red-rock landscape. Near Lake Powell and Zion you will also find fun courses that have red-rock back-drops. Vernal has a great little course, out near Dinosaur National Monument. Wherever you wander in Utah, on business or on vacation, there will be a golf course not far away. Salt Lake City offers an automated tee time reservation system, making it easy to schedule your play. In nearby Heber Valley, there are five top-notch courses in a stunning mountain setting, with an efficient advanced reservation system. -- Dave Webb Upcoming Events of InterestAmerica's Freedom Festival/Stadium of Fire, June 30-July 8, in Provo. Brooks & Dunn headline the Stadium of Fire show, which includes one of the largest fireworks displays in America. There will also be patriotic programs, historic tours and many other activities. Annual Moab Arts Festival, May 26-27. This is a fun, family-oriented event that is of interest to people of all ages. It provides a chance to view pottery, jewelry, wood, sculptures, clothing, fine art, photography and more. There will be entertainment and a food court. Admission is free. Days Of The Old West PRCA Rodeo, Jun 14-16, Delta. Top contestants compete in steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, PWBR Barrel Racing, tie-down roping, and everyone's favorite - bull riding. The specialty act for 2007 is "The Ghost Riders," a dog and monkey act with three dogs and three monkeys, concentrating on comedy. Check our events calendar for activities in this area. SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE / UPDATE
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