Vail Golf Club

Gorgeous mountain course is walkable, affordable, enjoyable - and completely open to the public

By Lisa Perry

Perfectly situated against a majestic mountain backdrop along Interstate 70, Vail Golf Club's wide, inviting fairways always manage to catch the eye of travelers during golf season. Many remember that the course hosted Gerald Ford's annual pro-am tournament for years, attracting celebrities from Clint Eastwood to Johnny Bench. The biggest misconception about the club? It's not a club.

"We've contemplated changing the name," says Director of Golf Alice Plain. "We look like we're an upscale course and we treat people like they're in a private club. But we're a very public golf course anyone can access."

In fact, the course is managed by the Vail Recreation District and becomes an official Nordic ski center during the winter. When the snow melts, golfers are treated to club conditions at recreation-center prices, and Plain says people are often surprised at just how affordable play here is.

The 7,024-yard design plays 18 holes naturally and intuitively through the White River Forest at 8,200 feet. Touchable mountains are easily visible and shots often incorporate Gore Creek, along with the occasional beaver pond. Hole 14 is an entertaining Par 3 with an elevated tee that plays across the creek.

"The layout includes holes that are parallel to each other," notes Plain. "It's playable and you can score well. As straight as the fairways look, once you reach the green it's a fun challenge, and you can't beat the mountain views. The turn at Hole 7 looks directly into the Gore Mountain Range."

Management is even willing to forego some cart revenue to promote golfers walking the course. The Recreation District encourages health and wellness, so it's only fitting that Vail Golf Club is, according to Plain, "the most walkable course in Eagle County."

What do players say about their experience? "Golfers comment on the great condition of the course and its beauty," Plain continues. "In summer it's spectacular and in fall the leaves change and the hillside is a golden color. If you're not playing very well, you can always look at the view on every single hole." There's a full-service restaurant onsite, and a practice area is set up so that golfers hit straight at the mountain vista. It's a view Plain calls "one of the prettiest I've ever seen on a range."

Plain and VGC's head golf professional, Jeanne Sutherland, make up a female management team, something not often found in the industry. "The combination is quite rare as far as PGA members go," says Plain. "We were one of 24 in the country and the only one in the state of Colorado as of last year. We've focused a lot on women's programs and do a weekly ladies-only clinic women love. Jeanne has worked hard to bring the gals out here to play and it's made a difference."

The story of how Vail's first golf course began is legend in the Valley and full of small-town charm. According to Michael Ortiz, executive director of Vail Recreation District, Ben Krueger came through town in 1967 on his way to Aspen. "He was skiing here and heard we were looking to build a golf course, stuck his head in the office and says, 'Hey, I'm here.' Later, they call his name on the loudspeaker to come to the office, interview him and give him the job."

At the time, Vail Village was expanding and construction crews were the norm. "There's a photo of a crane doing work on I-70 in the background," Ortiz continues, "and Ben's rerouting the river to build his golf course. If you did that now you'd end up in jail. He was superintendent for a long, long time-in 42 years, we've had only four. He still plays golf about every morning, the first to go out. He keeps a watchful eye on the course and helps us keep it nice. He has a lot of passion for golf."

Krueger says the front nine was nearly completed when he was hired, and he created the back nine. With a University of Massachusetts education and experience in Denver at Cherry Hills and Los Verdes clubs, he was initially hired as Vail's manager of golf, tennis and fishing, and helped with snowmaking as well.

As for the river rerouting, "There were no barriers," he says matter-of-factly. "We were trying to build a golf course and keep high waters off. We designed it to be a tourist course to let them have fun. We built the whole back nine for $150,000. I'm proud that in all the years since we built it hardly anything has changed. I don't get in their way, but I can't get it out of my mind-I love the course."

For tee times call 970.479.2260; for more information go to vailrec.com/golf.cfm

Lisa Perry is a staff writer with Colorado Golf Magazine