Arizona beer cart girls have booze, will travel

PHOENIX - Ah, the game of golf - the challenge, the scenery, the traveling beverage cart. It's a fact of life that men love their sports and their beer, and if they can get it together it's like icing onthe cake. Do the math. It's a simple equation: golf + alcohol + pretty girls = a good time, whichbrings us to the popularity of the "beer cart girls."

If you talk to any golfer of the male persuasion about their last game, along with a coursereview, you'll most likely get a report on the BCG that served them. These lovely purveyors roamthe greens in traveling bars stocked with an array of refreshing beers and liquors. They also servewater, juice and soda, but who wants those? Many are young, good looking and friendly, making theman integral part of the overall golf experience. Depending on the players and the courses, the gamecan go from The Masters to Weekend at Bernie's faster than you can say, "Gimme a Bud."

At Grayhawk in Scottsdale, the temptationto booze away your game might be sobered by the $150 rates during season. But for those that canhandle their swill, the refreshments, like clockwork, make their rounds every three or fourholes.

A drink may be a nice consolation after a humiliation at No. 6, The Ridge, a 456-yard, par 4doozy. And when it comes to drinking, the more the merrier. "Everyone always wants us to do shotswith them," says Samantha Garrison, an attractive 22-year old staffer with model looks and agirl-next-door attitude. (Shots on the golf course? You gotta love the game.) A potential buzz killcould be that the girls oblige with water. But I won't tell if you don't.

Of course, drinking on the green can result in behavior not suited for grown men. Remember theRyder cup a few years ago? On the prestigious lawns of the renowned Raptor and Talon coursesplayers have been known to go head to tail with their buddies in a game of bumper carts. JodyKring, a spunky blond Grayhawk attendant, has had players invite her to hit drives for them, withthe tip depending on the outcome of the play. Garrison sums it up this way, "You give guys a cup ofice and a beer and they're happy." It couldn't be more succinct.

At Legacy inSouth Phoenix, more than one source has confirmed the resort's reputation for great golf andattractive attendants. The straightforward design and affordable rates, starting at $89 duringseason, has helped the club attract seasoned players looking to have fun, sometimes to thedetriment of their game. One friend was so enamored with an attendant, he begged to have hispicture taken with her and proceeded to completely lose his concentration on the stroke.

The popularity of the girls has extended to calendars and Web sites devoted to their allure. Aquick search on the web popped up an invite for the first annual Beer Cart Girl of the Yearcompetition. The beauty contest boasted four finalists from the Valley serving customers with asmile.

For the girls, the job's best feature seems to be the time spent outdoors among beautifulweather and scenery. The opportunity to socialize and meet new people is welcomed, with manyestablishing a first name basis with regulars. The downside may be they're moving targets forflying golf balls and pick-up lines, but that's all in a days' work.

April 21, 2004