Hillcrest<\/a> and is the head golf coach at Fort Lewis College, said he looks forward to visiting Vickers if he can find free time from his coaching duties. \u201cI\u2019d love to check out his facility and how he\u2019s getting along.\u201d<\/p>\nAnd Begay, who is a snowboarder, says he\u2019s intrigued by the opportunity to find new runs in Idaho.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an excellent boss, very efficient,\u201d Begay said of his 13 years working with Vickers at Hillcrest.<\/p>\n
He added that Vickers has helped out the FLC team with equipment and an occasional pro tip to the golfers.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnofficially, we consider him an assistant coach,\u201d Begay said.<\/p>\n
Vickers came to Durango in 2006 from Fernandina, Florida, where he was running a golf club.<\/p>\n
Fly fishing had became a second passion for Vickers, who began traveling out West.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just fell in love with it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Much like the opportunity to purchase the Ranch Club in Idaho, Vickers said when he saw Hillcrest was looking for a golf pro, he jumped at the opportunity.<\/p>\n
Golf\u2019s popularity in Durango, Vickers said, has held steady during his 13 years here, and much like the game everywhere, the primary challenges facing the sport are time and expense.<\/p>\n
Golf can be humbling, but Vickers says it teaches you patience and humility.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a game that as soon as you think you\u2019ve figured it out, it will let you know you haven\u2019t,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nine holes of golf take about 2\u00bd hours, so a commitment for 18 holes takes away a good chunk of the day. It\u2019s one of the reasons he was attracted to a 9-hole golf course.<\/p>\n
A set of new clubs can run a couple thousand dollars, and Vickers said his recommendation to beginning golfers is to find a good set of used clubs.<\/p>\n
A round of golf also comes at an expense. At Hillcrest, the most affordable course in the area, a peak season 18-hole round runs $45, and a 9-hole round is $25.<\/p>\n
Besides being Durango\u2019s most affordable option, Vickers said Hillcrest is important to Durango because it offers a convenient location for tourists. He estimates tourists play 10 percent of all rounds on the course.<\/p>\n
The best thing about golf, Vickers said, is its ability to bring people together.<\/p>\n
People of different ages, abilities, athleticism and backgrounds can all play a round of golf, learn more about each other and learn a little from each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re golfing, it\u2019s really you against the golf course,\u201d he said. \u201cGolf has its challenges, but I feel like I haven\u2019t worked a day in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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