Welcome back visitors
Welcome Back was the popular song from the John Travolta, Gabe Kaplan ‘70s TV series, “Welcome Back, Kotter.” But to make it relevant to Yuma, we want to “welcome back” our winter visitors.
Whether you are from Canada, Oregon, Washington, Montana or any other state, the people of Yuma welcome you back. I know you have 200 activities that don't deal with sports to keep you busy, but this is a sports column. So let's talk sports.
After braving triple-digit temperatures for 100 or so days, Yuma has the best seven-month climate anywhere in the United States. We are not only the “green vegetable capital of the world,” but a haven for outdoor sportsmen.
I guess I have to brag to you about Yuma golf. Forget the hundred-dollar rounds you see in “Golf Digest,” you have a golfer's paradise right here in town. I'm not being paid by any course or person to write this, as a matter of fact the Sun doesn't even give me a free paper for writing my column. But when you look at our courses, we have the best for your hard-earned buck.
Los Barrancas is a scenic course with the fastest greens in the county. Eighteen holes for a little over $1 a hole can't be beat. Mesa Del Sol is located right in the middle of the Foothills, and this Arnold Palmer design has been gearing up all summer to make you happy. Desert Hills is a Yuma tradition, a friendly place with the toughest par four (# 5) in the county. The city should give you a free hot dog if you score four or less.
If you are a couple that has to play every day, your best bet might be The Yuma Golf and Country Club. You'd be amazed at the price. Cocopah golf course not only runs along the Colorado River, but is just a stone's throw to the “Q” casino. Now there is a good 19th hole.
For you nine holers, Yuma's got Desert Hills and the Foothills. So you see you don't have to go anywhere but Yuma to enjoy great golf. My only advice to our visiting golfers is that we all pick up the pace of play a little bit more, so more can enjoy.
If you are hunting or fishing get in contact with Jean Wilson. She is our local “guru” who writes for the Sun. Yuma is known as a desert town, but the secret of Yuma is its vast waterways. You don't think we grow all these vegetables with mirrors. You can fish in any number of locations around Yuma. The fish are always biting. There's nothing better than 68 degrees in the middle of January with a pole in your hand and a smile on your face, thinking about the snow you don't have to shovel.
A must for every active visitor is a trip to Yuma Parks and Recreation. Oscar Chavez has an activity for everybody. Not only do they take care of our full-time sports programs, but they specialize for our visitors. Water aerobics, shuffle board, senior Olympics, Yuma's got it. See Oscar at Parks and Rec and you won't be disappointed.
After a hard day on the links, or a tough workout reeling in four-pound bass, come see Yuma after the sun goes down. Don't watch ESPN,watch our local kids play basketball, soccer or wrestle. They need you to support them and the price is 1/20th of a Phoenix Suns ticket.
We are a town that doesn't say “They're back,” from the film “Poltergeist,” but a city that says “Welcome Back Visitors.” Enjoy Yuma.
