As the winter's snow melts away and spring begins, golfers in the south metro area are invited to sign up for league play at one of the area's friendliest golf courses.

Registration is underway at Spring Valley Golf Club for the men's league, which starts April 17 and is played on Thursdays, and the women's league, which begins April 16 and is played on Wednesdays.

League members play nine holes of golf - any time on their assigned day as long as they play with someone else in the league. It's that flexibility that attracts players to the league each year, as well as the friendliness of the other golfers and the Spring Valley staff.

"I like that it's on a Thursday and I can get to it after work," said Evan Carlson, an Elizabeth resident and last year's gross club champion.

Carlson said he also enjoys the fact that he can choose his own foursome, so that allows him the opportunity to play with his dad, Tim, who he said is the "inspiration for all of my success."

Parker's Jerry Smith has been playing at Spring Valley since it opened all 18 holes in 1999. His explanation for playing in the league is simple: "It's fun."

"They just make it a lot of fun," he said. "It has a home-town ambiance. They really genuinely are nice people."

Joan Bond and Cindy Parsons, both of whom have been playing at Spring Valley for about six years, said one advantage to playing at the club is that you don't have to be a "great" golfer because there are different flights for different skill levels.

While there are some good golfers who play in the league, many are out there for the enjoyment and to spend time with friends, they said.

"Yeah your score counts, but it's a fun way to get together," said Parsons, who lives in Castle Rock and works in Parker. "Playing golf is our focus, but we like getting together."

Patty Clark, an Elizabeth resident who has played in the league for about seven years, agreed. "We enjoy all aspects of playing out there."

"The course is excellent. They've made so many improvements," Clark continued. "It's just so much fun to go out and the league gives you different people to play with."

Bond, a Franktown resident, encouraged women golfers to attend the kick-off event on April 9th, which includes playing nine holes, dinner and a league meeting. Those who are interested in joining should come to at least part of the event that day, she said.

While not all the golfers in the league are overly competitive, some of them do enjoy competing for the club's unique prizes, which include gold and silver pieces for the men and watches for the women. Last year's players won more than $32,000 in cash, gold and silver pieces, and pro shop credit.

Because the gold pieces are awarded for cumulative play, they are talked about throughout the season.

"It's unique and a lot of fun. There's a lot of talk with the guys in the club," Smith said. "It's fun to get that piece of gold. . . . It actually has meaning."

Smith, who plays about 150 rounds of golf each year, said doesn't think he will ever find a club with the friendly and helpful atmosphere he finds at Spring Valley.

"If you're looking for fun and looking for people committed to helping you with your game, it's Spring Valley."

Spring Valley is located east of Parker and north of Elizabeth at 42350 County Road 17-21. For information about league sign-up and play, call the pro shop at 303-646-4240.