From Alaska to Post Falls: Billy Bomar the new owner of Prairie Falls Golf Course

By Steve Turcotte

If this golf course ownership thing doesn’t work out, Billy Bomar can blame his wife and son. Bomar was looking to leave Alaska and find a place for his son to play high school golf. And his wife reminded him that he would also get a job wherever they ended up moving.

So, Bomar did what most people would do: He bought a golf course. He is the new owner of Prairie Falls Golf Club in Post Falls, Idaho along with partner Jerry Neeser.

“OK, maybe I went a bit overboard, but hey I’ve been in the golf business the past 30 years and this is something almost every golf professional, including myself, dreams of,” said Bomar. “The more I looked at it – the better things looked. I did a lot of due diligence and worked on it for months. Things just kept looking better and better. So, I pulled the trigger and took over May 1st of this year.

And now, Bomar, the long-time instructor and player is now a golf course owner. Bomar has played for a living, kicking it around the mini-tours and state opens but even though he has won over 150 professional tournaments could never get past the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

Bomar turned 50 last year and played in a few Champion Tour qualifiers making it through the pre qualifier the last 2 years for the Boeing Classic but failed to earn a spot in the event qualifier.

Bomar comes from a golf family with 2 brothers who are golf professionals and a daughter, Brittany, who plays professionally on the Australian Women’s Tour and has played in Canada and Europe the past 3 years. His daughter Taylor is currently working on her game and expects to play Division 1 Golf next fall.

Bomar moved to Alaska in 1990 to put together the John Jacobs Golf Schools and only expected to spend one summer. Almost 25 years later he was still a part of the Alaskan golf scene. Over the years he has been able to teach, own and operate a golf course and was also Executive Director and Coach for The First Tee of Alaska. But, with Alaska having such a short golf season, Bomar always found himself wanting more. And when his son Chase turned high school age and needing a place to play high school golf, he thought the time was right to make the move.

Bomar said that if he was ever going to get into the business of golf course ownership, a place like Prairie Falls is the way he wanted to go. The 18-hole course is 15 years old and plays 6,229 yards and is a Par 70. Bomar said the layout is great and very playable for all levels with lush fairways and fast greens. He also loves the pace of play that is less than four hours for 18 holes. Superintendent Marcus Curry has turned the course into top condition year round.

Everything is falling into place. Bomar has a job like his wife wanted. His son Chase has a place on the Post Falls High School Team and Bomar himself owns a golf course that he thinks is truly a gem.

And it’s an affordable place. The green fees are just $25 weekdays and $28 on the weekends for 18 holes. Prairie Falls also has specials throughout the season so make sure you visit their website at pfgolf.com.

And Bomar says good things are coming with some new projects, a new fleet of golf carts and more.