Ironwood thrives on simple pleasures

The parking lot isn't paved. The clubhouse is just bigger than a typical bedroom. The longest hole measures 265 yards and there are no PGA pros around to teach a private lesson.

Yet when winter time rolls around, the tee-time book at the Ironwood Public Golf Course is stocked with reservations as far a week in advance, even when the forecast calls for a cold and windy day.

While Ironwood may lack in the usual comforts and challenges of other golf courses in town, its visitors keep coming back for an enjoyable round of golf, a couple hours of recreation and a friendly price.

Ironwood also comes with a pretty good background story, too. Owned and operated by the same family that purchased the land close to 20 years ago, the late Nik Curtis designed the course and called on the help of his wife and four sons to put it all together. Loella Hemming, Curtis' wife who has since re-married, remembers purchasing the pencil-sized trees that have since grown large enough to shade the course and still lives in the home at the end of the property.

"People would come out and play golf when it was just weeds and dirt, so we started thinking we could buy this and turn it into a golf course," she said. "My kids played golf all through college and my husband loved golf. It was his brainy idea, and we all did it as a family."

Son Kelly Curtis oversees much of the course operations year round, though Hemming still takes responsibility for mowing the greens. The course has expanded over time to occupy nine acres and a lake that comes into play on two holes.

Primarily played by winter visitors and beginners still learning how to play, most of Ironwood's golfers take advantage of its executive-course length and level terrain and opt to walk rather than ride in a cart.

George Wilson, a resident at the Yuma Lakes RV Park, said he enjoys the exercise he gets when he comes to play every week with 16-20 other golfers from the park.

"It's probably the most reasonable place to play and have fun, and it's a challenge," he said.

Green fees are only $11 in the winter and drop down to $5 on the honor system in the summer. Tee times are available by calling 343-1466.

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Rob Weiler can be reached at

rweiler@yumasun.com or 539-6883.