Holidays filled with 18 holes

There’s nothing like a round of golf to work up a sizable appetite.

What better way to prepare those tummies for the upcoming

Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 25 than to churn out a quick 18 in the

morning.

And courses in Newport-Mesa, whether public or private, will swing

open their doors on Turkey Day to those dedicated golfers.

Think about it. You can take credence in knowing that you

performed some sort of physical activity on a day primarily dedicated

to food, family, friends and football.

The prime time Thanksgiving tee times appear to be in the

mornings. Most courses will open between 6 and 7 a.m.

Newport Beach Golf Course will open at 6:30 Thanksgiving morning

and will stay open until there aren’t any golfers left strolling the

fairways, head professional John Leonard said.

In past years, the course has attracted as many as 200 golfers on

Thanksgiving, said Leonard.

I was somewhat surprised when he revealed that number.

I guess I never equated playing golf on Thanksgiving, or any major

holiday like Christmas or New Year’s, for that matter.

Call me old-fashioned, but holidays mean doing as little as

possible while hopefully setting aside time to reflect on what the

day means.

Sorry for the tangent, now back to golf.

Leonard explained the rationale behind the holiday golfer and it

really is quite simple.

“Guys play early and they are home by 1 [p.m.],” said Leonard, who

worked last Thanksgiving.

After 10 a.m., the number of golfers teeing off is sporadic, at

best, Leonard added.

“I was home last year by 3 p.m.,” he said.

Just in time for dinner, for those that like to eat early.

Keep in mind that Newport has more par 3s than par 4s, so barring

waiting between holes, a round shouldn’t take the customary four

hours of par-72 tracts.

But some par-72 courses in the area are preparing for a busy day

come Nov. 25.

Newport Beach Country Club expects 150 members to tee off on

Thanksgiving, assistant professional Bruce Hooper said. The course

opens at 7 a.m.

Mesa Verde will have two shotgun starts -- one at 8 a.m. and

another at 1 p.m. -- to accommodate members’ interests.

In past years, roughly 100 golfers will tee off from about 6:30

a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Santa Ana Country Club, director of golf Mike

Reehl said.

The numbers then drop significantly after 10:30 a.m., Reehl said.

If you do venture to a local course on Thanksgiving, be sure to

thank the pros, starters, groundskeepers, superintendents, anyone who

clocked in to help on a holiday to make your day better.

Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the holiday season,

so let’s peek into the next two months.

Newport Beach Golf Course is also open on Christmas and New

Year’s.

Leonard said Christmas is significantly slower than Thanksgiving.

New Year’s, though, brings more golfers, some undoubtedly giddy to

try that new driver.

Holiday rates are the same as weekend fees at Newport -- $25 for

18 holes and $16 for nine.

So if the golfing bug hits sometime next week, say late Wednesday

or Thursday, there should be a course ready for you.

Just remember to set aside time to really think about the

significance of Nov. 25 and how lucky we are.