SCHACHT OF LOVE

Dave Schacht is the Head Golf Pro in Mammoth. Sanctioned by the Professional Golfers Assn. of America (PGA). 

And when the PGA confers its blessing upon one of its 30,000 trained golf professionals, it does so with a mission statement which guys like Schacht take seriously. 

The PGA is “dedicated to elevating and advancing the game for the enjoyment of everyone.” 

So by definition, closing a golf course is like a gut punch. No elevation. No advancement. No joy. 

Which is why Schacht and Sierra Star Course Superintendent Pat Lewis (“I wouldn’t have done this without Pat as my wingman.”) floated the idea this winter of resurrecting Snowcreek Golf Course, which had closed for the 2023 season because of the record-breaking winter.

Mostly because Schacht couldn’t get Snowcreek out of his head – an old flame he couldn’t let go. 

As we toured the course this week (why toured versus played will be explained shortly), Schacht emoted. 

“If I play Snowcreek, I can hit driver five out of nine holes. At Sierra Star, I can hit driver three out of 18 … and just look at this,” he said as we pulled up to the tee box on #3. “This is the most stunning par three in the Eastern Sierra,” he said as we took in the Sherwins and Mammoth Rock in the noonday sun. “And it plays different every time depending on the wind. I’ve hit nine-iron here. I’ve hit three-iron here.”

“If the pin is in front [here], you want to be short,” he advised as an afterthought, as if I’m a good enough golfer to translate his advice into actionable improvement. 

At the fourth hole, we stopped in the fairway just before the bunker “You know, I spent five years hitting the approach long here … because the wind is different in the fairway. It blows strong out here, but it’s calmer at the green.” He contemplated this for a moment and gave that trademark Schacht chuckle. “I’m a slow learner.” 

As we drove past the 4th green to make the turn for the final five holes back to the clubhouse, Schacht pointed to the green and said, “We’re bringing it back. It completely died last year … give this whole place two more weeks and it will be absolutely lush. The fairways are super tight. The rough’s cut at one-and-a-quarter inches … I know people will tell you that nine holes versus 18 is like getting naked without having sex, but I’m here to tell you that you can have plenty of fun just getting naked.” 

Spending another day aboveground is also a lot of fun. 

Less than a week before, Schacht said he had four stents put in. 

What? 

“I’d been exhausted for two years. My physician [Jennie Walker] ordered a CT scan. Any score over 400 indicates a lot of plaque buildup. I had a 1475.”

“We’re like phoenixes rising from the ashes,” said Schacht, referring to himself and the golf course. 

The prognosis for each is excellent. 

“We’ve had responsive, phenomenal partners in Snowcreek management (John Morris & Brent Cook). And I can’t thank the Landes’ enough for the opportunity.” 

But the ace in the hole is Lewis. 

“Pat goes at two speeds,” explains Schacht. “Sleep and nonstop. And when he’s on nonstop, he does things RIGHT F’ING NOW!” 

Sheet: What’s Pat’s superpower?

Schacht: If you can fix anything and grow grass [as a Superintendent], you’re golden. Pat’s golden. And when you have that type of skill level and that type of work ethic, it inspires the whole team. 

Now it’s just about getting the community inspired as well. 

And nothing is quite as inspiring to a hard- or hardly-working Mammoth local like a deal. 

While Schacht says there will ultimately be seven tiers of pricing (depending upon time of year – peak being in the $65-70 range for July 4 timeframe), there are ways to lock in deals for the summer. 

A $149 Creek Card buys you $45 rounds ($35 after 2 p.m.). 

$399 buys a 10-pay punch card. 

And there are Locals deals every Sunday and Monday, especially after 2 p.m. 

As Schacht says bluntly, “If we don’t get the local business in here, it won’t last.” 

Translation: Locals will determine Snowcreek’s fate. But for this season anyway, we’ve got tonight/who needs tomorrow/let’s make it last/let’s find a way … 

“The first time I teed it up here this year, it was about 4 p.m.” began Schacht. “There was a 30 mph wind blowing in my face on the tee. But I said to myself, if this is the only time I get to play it, I’ll be a happy man.”