View from the Back Tee

If there are two things I really enjoy, they are playing golf and taking photographs. So, how can I go wrong with a golf course picture? I was struck by this scene earlier this spring while playing golf at the nearby Stewart Creek golf course. I made a mental note to return for the shot and did so yesterday. Accompanied by my daughter, Jaime I went out in the early evening and was rewarded with the soft evening light and some very appealing cloud patterns. That’s Pigeon Mountain in the background and the 10th hole, Bighorn in the foreground.

For those who are more photographically inclined,  I was looking to capture the broad panoramic view from this elevated location. Due to the distance, I was able to do so using a standard lens, a Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L USM using a focal length of 34 mm. I used a small aperture, f16 to maximize depth of field. In the waning light of the evening, the somewhat long exposure (0.4 sec) required the use of a tripod. I used a warming polarizing filter to deepen the blue of the sky and to enhance the warmer tones (red, yellow, orange) in the scene.

For those interested in the golf hole itself, Bighorn is a par 4, ranging in length from 269 to 407 yards, depending on your choice of tee box. This picture was taken from the back tees from where you can see the green, 407 yards distant tucked in among the aspen trees, almost directly below the peak of Pigeon Mountain. From this position, a tee shot must carry about 150 yards to clear the environmentally sensitive area just in front. Despite the appearance, this fairway is the widest on the course and a relief from some of the earlier, more challenging holes. Bighorn is rated the 12th most difficult of Stewart Creek’s 18 holes.

Whether you’re playing golf or taking pictures, Stewart Creek is wonderful experience. On a warm summer evening, it was a joy to simply ride around the course, taking in the surroundings.