Fun on the greens for not much green Published Sept. 25, 2012 By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- There's some new green on the Silver Spruce golf course. The grand opening of the new three-hole, par-3 family course is 3 p.m. Sept. 27. "This is state of the art, the irrigation, the drainage, the layout. It is a fantastic little course," said Trace Kea, director of golf. Don't let the words "little course" fool you though. This course is nothing like a game of miniature golf. "It's in just as good of shape as a regular golf course. It's not some rinky-dink little course we put together," Kea said. The shortest hole is 54 yards and the longest is 87, making the course a great tool for teaching kids. Staff at Silver Spruce had the future of golf in mind when planning the family course. "In order to grow the game, we have to target our youth, the moms and our families," Kea said. There was some extra land on the golf course not being used, and Kea said they wanted something for the family and that could also be a good teaching tool. Children often don't have the patience to play a full 18 holes of golf. "We'll be able to take kids out and do our clinics and camps on the family course, versus shutting down two or three holes on Silver Spruce golf course," Kea said. Kea hopes that the new course offers a comfortable setting for those with little or no golf experience to give golf a try. "It's a fantastic sport to get outside. We can play in Colorado Springs pretty much year round," he said. "Although, a few days get pretty cold." Anyone is welcome to use the family course whether it's entertainment for their children or to play a few holes during lunch. "It's very relaxed. You can enjoy those three holes and play them three times, four times, however many times you can get around," Kea said. He did caution that the course is for walking only, no golf carts are allowed. To play the course, check in at the pro-shop to get a tee-sheet. The cost is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Equipment rental is free for children. For more information, call the golf course at 556-7414.