Blackfoot Municipal Golf Course

Blackfoot, Idaho

George Von Elm was the architect of the Blackfoot Golf Course and was also the golf professional there from 1959-1960. Von Elm was among the great amateur golfers, like Bobby Jones, when amateur golf was in its prime in the 1920’s. Von Elm’s duals with Jones became legendary. These legendary duels started in 1924 when Von Elm surprised many by finishing the US amateur as the runner up to Jones. The following year Jones eliminated Von Elm in the semi-finals. In 1926 Von Elm defeated Jones to win the US Amateur. This was the only US Amateur Bobby Jones lost in a five-year span. Von Elm was also a member on three Walker Cup teams. As an amateur, Von Elm also finished runner up in the 1926 Los Angeles Open, fourth in the 1928 US Open, and fifth in the 1929 US Open. In the 1930’s Von Elm turned professional and made a career out of golf. During his professional career he played out of Los Angeles and won several different tournaments. He was the head professional at Hacienda Golf Course from 1950-1953. He retired form golf, moved to Utah, and eventually ended up in Idaho. Von Elm spent many hours working in the Idaho weather with a shovel in his hand, overseeing the construction on the Blackfoot Golf Course. In 1956 ground was cleared and grass was then planted on the first four holes in 1957. In 1958 construction started on the last five holes of the front nine. Play commenced on the front nine on June 7, 1960. Construction on the back nine began in 1978 and was completed in 1980.