THE BEST OF COLORADO GOLF COURSES 2009

Colorado Golf Magazine readers and online visitors name their favorites

By Christine Loomis

Colorado Golf Magazine asked the question: Which courses are the best in Colorado? You, our readers and online visitors, answered. In 25 critical categories, you stepped up and voted—for the best courses, the best holes, the best instruction facility, the best value, the best club for meetings and events, the best course for wowing out-of-staters, the most scenic course and more. From the prairie to the mountains, Front Range to Western Slope, northeast to southwest, Colorado’s impressive and diverse golf courses deliver the goods. 

BEST NEW COURSE
CommonGround Golf Course (formally known as Mira Vista)
10300 E. Golfers Way
Aurora, CO 80010
303.340.1520

The name reflects what this place is:  An affordable public golf course and a home for both the Colorado Golf Association and Colorado Women’s Golf Association. The land includes nearly 400 acres of protected open space. The heart of it is the 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak, but there’s also a short course devoted to junior golf, and a caddie program with the double purpose of giving golfers an opportunity to enjoy one of the game’s great traditions plus providing university scholarships for those who work as caddies. CommonGround, indeed. 

BEST PUBLIC MOUNTAIN COURSE
Red Sky Golf Club, Norman Course
0376 Red Sky Road
Wolcott, CO 81655
970.754.8400

The 7,580-yard course was designed by Greg Norman to be aesthetically beautiful yet natural, in harmony with the high alpine landscape it occupies. In places it winds through meadows brimming with wildflowers, in others it skirts stands of scrub oak or rocky gulches that cut deep into the mountain terrain. Norman is not alone when he states, “For years my love of the Rockies, along with the natural beauty of the surrounds, has beckoned me to the Vail Valley.”  Readers know how he feels.

BEST PUBLIC FRONT-RANGE COURSE
Riverdale Golf Club, the Dunes Course
13300 Riverdale Road
Brighton, CO 80602
303.659.6700

Its list of accolades from regional and national publications is impressive: One of America’s Most Affordable Courses, No. 1 Public Course in Colorado, One of America’s Best Courses Everyone Can Play, Top 75 Public Courses—and the awards go on. The Pete and Perry Dye design celebrates the birthplace of golf, Scotland, with its link-style layout along the South Platte River.

BEST RESORT COURSE
Broadmoor Golf Club, East Course
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719.577.5790

The Broadmoor is an historic Five Star, Five Diamond resort; why should its golf courses be any less historic or star-studded? After Donald Ross designed the championship East Course in 1918, he called it his “best work.” That’s high praise considering Pinehurst Nos. 1 and 2 were among his other efforts. Later, the East layout was re-worked to include six holes by the great Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The result is a masterpiece of design and a must-play in our state.

BEST OVERALL PUBLIC OR RESORT COURSE
Red Sky Golf Club, Fazio Course
0376 Red Sky Road
Wolcott, CO 81655
970.754.8400

Red Sky’s Tom Fazio Course is no stranger to awards. It offers variation of terrain and challenges, yet playability for all skill levels—with drop-dead gorgeous views of Vail’s famed back bowls. If you’re not a member of the club, you can play here simply by staying at one of the partner properties in Vail.

BEST COURSE $100+
Red Sky Golf Club, Fazio Course
0376 Red Sky Road
Wolcott, CO 81655
970.754.8400

Like we said, the Fazio Course is no stranger to awards. You’ll understand why as you follow the verdant fairways through shimmering aspens and across high-desert hills where panoramas are both a delight and a distraction. Long a favorite of Colorado Golf Magazine readers, this is one of the gems of the High Country.

BEST COURSE $50 - $99
Arrowhead Golf Club
10850 W. Sundown Trail
Littleton, CO 80125
303.973.9614

The Robert Trent Jones, Jr., layout rolls over terrain dominated by sandstone towers that are more than 300 million years old. Here, golfers share the dramatic landscape with an abundance of wildlife and easily forget that they are but a chip shot away from downtown Denver.

BEST COURSE UNDER $50
Riverdale Golf Course, the Dunes Course
13300 Riverdale Road
Brighton, CO 80602
303.659.6700

You don’t have to be rich or famous to play this exceptional course, rated the No.2 best public course in Colorado by the state’s golf industry experts. Colorado Golf Magazine readers agree that the Dunes, a celebration of Scottish links-style golf, is one terrific course, as well as affordable—a true gift in this challenging economy.

MOST UNDERRATED COURSE, PUBLIC OR RESORT
Pelican Lakes Golf and Country Club
1620 Pelican Point
Windsor, CO 80550
970.674.0930

Ted Robinson, Sr. put the Poudre River front and center in this water-adorned golf course that encompasses more shoreline than any course in the nation. Players cross the Poudre four times through 18 holes, and five lakes dominate the lush landscape. There is a community, but no homes are adjacent to the course.

MOST SCENIC COURSE, PUBLIC OR RESORT
Arrowhead Golf Club
10850 W. Sundown Trail
Littleton, CO 80125
303.973.9614

It’s not surprising that Arrowhead, one of the most photographed golf courses in Colorado, comes out on top in this category. The downside: Such magnificent scenery plays havoc with your game. Apparently our readers forgive that.

MOST DIFFICULT COURSE, PUBLIC OR RESORT
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
6630 Bear Dance Drive Road
Larkspur, CO 80118
303.681.4653

Once again, Bear Dance takes top honors in this category, and not just because it’s long. It is, stretching 7,726 yards, but its challenges also come from elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, a multitude of bunkers, water features and devilish greens that test golfers to the max. 
MOST DIFFICULT PRIVATE COURSE
Castle Pines Golf Club
1000 Hummingbird Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80108
303.688.6022

This course challenged Tiger Woods and other pros who convened at Castle Pines for the great International PGA Tour event. The International is no longer with us, but if you have a friend who’s a member here, you can play the course that made Colorado a favorite stop for the world’s greatest golfers for more than 20 years.

BEST COURSE TO HOLD A CORPORATE EVENT OR TOURNAMENT
Broadmoor Golf Club
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719.577.5790

It’s not just the golf courses—there are three of them—or the range and quality of rooms and spaces groups can use. It’s also the dynamic and creative event staff that helps clients put together memorable and successful events and tournaments from start to finish.

BEST COURSE TO BRING OUT-OF-STATERS,
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
Arrowhead Golf Club
10850 W. Sundown Trail
Littleton, CO 80125
303.973.9614

While Coloradoans are lucky to have this brilliantly designed, naturally gorgeous golf course in their backyard, every golfer should have a chance to play it. The next time you have guests from out of town, be the best golfing host ever by taking them to play Arrowhead. They will thank you.

BEST PRIVATE COURSE
Ballyneal Golf Club
216 S. Interocean Avenue
Holyoke, CO 80734
970.854.5900

Ballyneal was a labor of love by owners who wanted to celebrate the rich traditions of golf with a course that eschews modern bells and whistles, such as distance markers and electric carts, in favor of an experience that gets down to golf’s purest elements. Think about it. There are only three things that really matter in golf: the land, the player and the nuances of the game itself. That’s what Ballyneal is about.

MOST COVETED PRIVATE COURSE INVITATION
Sanctuary
7549 Daniels Park Road
Sedalia, CO 80125
303.973.9614

Yes, Again. Built by philanthropic Dave Liniger, founder of RE/MAX, and his wife, Gail, Sanctuary was created for the purpose of hosting charity events. Unless you’re a friend of the Linigers, signing up for one of the charity events hosted here is the only way to get on this course.

MOST FEMALE-FRIENDLY COURSE, PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE
Legacy Ridge Golf Course
10801 Legacy Ridge Parkway
Westminster, CO 80031
303.438.8997

This city of Westminster course measures 7, 157 yards from the tips, but it’s a comfortable 5,315 yards from the red tees. Wide fairways, extremely generous landing areas and expansive greens make Legacy Ridge a great place for women to learn the game, and a great place to enjoy the camaraderie of golf with groups of friends.  The Women’s Friday Afternoon Club can take advantage of both of Westminster’s golf courses, Legacy Ridge and Heritage at Westmoor.

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY COURSE,
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
Fox Hollow Golf Course
13410 Morrison Road
Lakewood, CO 80228
303.986.7888

Fox Hollow is owned by the city of Lakewood. Three distinct nines—the Canyon, the Meadow, and the Links—and five sets of tees provide plenty of options for players of all ages and abilities. And there are instructional programs and groups for every member of the family, including an excellent summer program for junior golfers age seven to 17. 

TOUGHEST GREENS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
6630 Bear Dance Drive Road
Larkspur, CO 80118
303.681.4653

It’s the toughest course with the toughest greens, so leave your B game at home. Bear Dance demands accuracy and there are consequences for miscalculating. If you’re up for the challenge, it is one of Colorado’s top golf experiences.

BEST OPENING HOLE PUBLIC, PRIVATE OR RESORT
Castle Pines Golf Club
1000 Hummingbird Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80108
303.688.6022

This is the fourth year in a row that readers have voted No. 1 at Castle Pines the best opening hole in the state. At 644 yards, Nicklaus designed the par-5 to set the tone for a course that challenges pros and amateurs alike.

BEST FINISHING HOLE PUBLIC, PRIVATE OR RESORT
Cherry Hills Country Club
4125 S. University Blvd.
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
303.350.5220

The 491-yard par-4 beauty has water in play along the fairway and a bevy of bunkers guarding the green. If you end up in the sand, you can always try to recreate the shot that gave Birdie Kim the title here in the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open when she holed out from the bunker. Or not.

BEST PRACTICE FACILITY
The Club at Cordillera
650 Clubhouse Drive
Edwards, CO 81632
970.926.5100

Cordillera has four courses, each with a practice area. But it’s the practice area at the Nicklaus-designed Summit Course that garners raves with its separate chipping and putting greens, large tee area and practice bunkers so players can hone skills they’ll need on the course.

BEST INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITY
McGetrick Golf Academy
4900 Himalaya Road, Bldg. Q
Denver, CO 80249
303.799.0870

“Give us five days and we’ll give you a sport for a lifetime.” That’s the promise of McGetrick’s Get Golf Ready in Five Days program. At other facilities, that might sound more boastful than truthful, but Mike McGetrick and his staff have been helping golfers improve their game for a long time. Just ask pros Juli Inkster, Brant Jobe and Meg Mallon. Mike McGetrick is the No.1-ranked instructor in the state and his academy is the only Top 25 Golf School in Colorado.

BEST GOLF SHOP, PUBLIC OR RESORT
Broadmoor Golf Club
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719.577.5790

What makes a golf shop stand out? Expansive inventory of quality equipment and apparel, for one thing. But the best inventory in the world won’t matter if there is not also staff that is knowledgeable, attentive and dedicated. Staff is where the Broadmoor Golf Shop really shines.

BEST GOLF COURSE FOOD, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80106
800.428.8886

Colorado Golf Magazine readers and online visitors gave culinary  kudos to Pineview Restaurant at the clubhouse. In addition to drinks, lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves up sweeping views of the Pete Dye-designed golf course and Cheyenne Mountain range.

Christine Loomis is a staff editor and writer with
Colorado Golf Magazine