A journey unlike any other

Larry Kirk hits a tee shot during one of his many rounds on his journey to the unthinkable.

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications
(Photos credited to Bruce Martini and Larry Kirk)

BOISE, Idaho—There he was, sitting in his chair—which happened to be next to mine—at the annual Course Rating training for the Southwest District. Larry Kirk, having pen and paper in hand, paid attention to the presenter as if it was his first go-around. He frequently contributed to the discussion, occasionally turning to his friend and fellow rater, Carl Adams, to chat about the class.

I had met Kirk for the first time a few days before our training when he stopped by my office for a chat. From that initial epilogue, through our classroom training, and several discussions after, I’ve been in awe of his passion for Course Rating and golf. He is someone who loves this sport and all that it has to offer.

As the training neared its end, Russ Peterson, Chairman of the Course Rating Committee and former Board President of the Idaho Golf Association, handed the class a 10-question quiz. Each rater then used the remaining time to answer the provided problems. Kirk methodically worked his way through each one like the rest of us. (Little did everyone know that they were the most frequently missed questions from one of this year’s USGA Calibration Seminars for Course Rating.)

What caught my attention, specifically during this exercise, was Kirk’s determination to be the best he could be at Course Rating and golf in general. He seemed to question nearly every step in the process —making sure he understood each minute detail.

After going through the quiz as a class, Kirk found himself stuck on one question. Despite the efforts of those at the table to clarify the solution, Kirk was still unable to grasp the answer. Yet, still determined to understand it, Kirk took the quiz home to work through the question that had given him trouble until the correct answer made sense in his mind.

Larry Kirk on the green at Elk Valley’s Hole No. 6.

Kirk’s interest in Course Rating came from his desire to understand the entire process when he thought some ratings for a couple of local courses weren’t correct. He initially planned to volunteer for only a year or two but has now found himself 11 to 12 years deep—having spent five of those on the Course Rating Committee. He has strived to attend nearly every rating with hopes of making the game of golf that much better for every golfer who steps foot on a course he rates.

Explaining how he started, Kirk mentioned: “[Peterson] came down to Plantation [now called The River Club} because the ladies complained about the rating. So, he gave a little spiel... [And}, when he asked for volunteers, I called him up later and said I would love to volunteer to be a rater. That is what got me started in rating [in] about 2010.”

Born in Oregon and having later moved with his family to the Treasure Valley area, Kirk didn’t start playing the game of golf until he was in his mid-30s. Despite being athletic—having played sports like baseball and softball growing up—Kirk always enjoyed the challenge of doing something athletic. Despite being horrendous at the start, the game of golf became more natural to him when he finally caught the bug 10 to 15 years after his first day on the links with his friends.

“As you age, [baseball and softball] become harder and harder,” Kirk said. “Golf was a game you could play for the rest of your life...My friends and the fact that I could play and not hurt myself got me interested.”

However, Kirk credits his impressive progression in golf to one of Idaho’s golfing legends, Scott Masingill. Finding himself at Quail Hollow Golf Course with Masingill and his father, Kirk took advantage of the situation by playing phenomenal golf that day, shooting a personal best, 76. For Kirk, a 76 was quite impressive as an 18-handicap. Using that newfound momentum, Kirk worked extremely hard over the next couple of years to bring that 18 down to about a five, which he then held onto for nearly 30 years.

During this personal voyage to play golf for the rest of his life, Kirk accomplished a feat that hardly any golfer in the state has ever done—play every golf course. (Folks, mind you, that is 129 of them.)

Having stolen this idea from Allen, who could not fulfill the dream himself “due to getting sidetracked for various reasons,” Kirk set out to tackle the daunting list. He knew that he’d have some difficulty getting onto courses like the Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club, but he went ahead with it anyway.

Starting this journey over 20 years ago, Kirk traveled several paths to tick every box. He volunteered as a Course Rater and played golf as a weekend warrior. His work trips were planned in areas with courses he had yet to check off, and he used his vast network of connections to play some of the most private clubs in the state—with The Golf Club at Black Rock being his favorite amongst Idaho courses.

“We did 25 or 30 courses the first couple of years I rated,” explained Kirk. “So, that got a few more of the courses I hadn’t played. Then, I was down to very few left. Bruce Martini [and I], on some of our rating trips, would stay an extra day, and he’d drive me over someplace, so we’d play another one. So, that is what really got the final ones in because I joined the rating crew.”

Kirk’s quest to play all 129 courses—determined by the geographical boundary of the state of Idaho, including the courses that no longer exist & excluding the ones in other states despite them being in the IGA’s jurisdiction—had him checking off the final box at Journey’s End Golf Course in Shelley, Idaho. Though appropriately named, it was completely unintentional as Kirk’s final destination.

Larry Kirk’s final course sign.

Playing with Martini—a constant companion through all of this—Kirk sealed his journey by penciling a 35 (E) into the final square of his final scorecard. Maybe a little teary-eyed, Kirk said those final moments were a little emotional for him—feeling elated as he reminisced on it all. It was a day he rightfully joined the ranks of the very few who have ever had the privilege of playing every course in their respected place of residence.

Though the purpose of his journey was golf, Kirk found himself walking away with so much more. He met so many incredible people. These individuals were those he met while playing a round, people he rated courses with, and even the course professionals that helped him along his way. If fact, many of these very people have become his lifelong friends.

Speaking of helping him along the way, Kirk shared this: “I can think of one case [when] the [pro] said get there at daybreak. I won’t be [there, but] play, and when you get done, if I am not [there] yet...leave your money inside the door. Afterward, he happened to be there when I got done. We had a pretty good discussion.”

Larry Kirk takes in his surroundings at Bear Lake while playing a round of golf.

Kirk loved to take in the beautiful topography that paints the entire state and to see the variety of course designs. He also noted that he would put up many of Idaho’s finest against some of the world’s best like Harbor Town Golf Links in South Carolina and Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

At 77 years of age, Kirk has found himself without sight in one eye due to Macular Degeneration. However, he still plays golf about twice a week and loyally attends nearly every IGA Course Rating. And on top of that, he spends additional time throughout the week volunteering at several places in our community.

Kirk could say he has nearly accomplished everything he has set out to do in the game of golf. He has five holes-in-one, shot his personal best, 66 (-6), at RedHawk Golf Course, and has played rounds at The Old Course at Saint Andrews and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Yet, his passion for the game is still burning bright, and he’d tell you the top course he’s ever played is “the one I’m playing tomorrow.”