The Call of Lakota Canyon Ranch

Design, customer service and an abundance of scenic splendor make Lakota Canyon Ranch the course of choice for golfers on both sides of the Continental Divide

By Sarah Tahvonen

There is much more behind Lakota Canyon Ranch, located on the Western Slope in New Castle, Colo., than just a successful golf course. Surrounded by a growing mountain community, Lakota is known as a breathtaking course, designed by nationally renowned architect Jim Engh. However, as with most successful ventures, the story behind Lakota says a lot about where it is today.

Tom Underwood, the general manager and director of golf for Lakota, has been involved with the project nearly from the beginning. Hailing from San Diego, he has a bachelor's degree from San Diego State and graduated from San Diego Golf Academy in 1992, after which he immediately immersed himself in the sport. In 1999, life led Underwood to North Carolina where he took on the responsibility of head golf professional working for developer John Elmore. Elmore has been involved in numerous courses, both public and private, and is a knowledgeable golf course community developer.

In 2003, Elmore approached Underwood with a possible venture in Colorado in the small town of New Castle. Elmore envisioned a local course that also attracted out-of-towners simply by offering an outstanding product in a beautiful location. Underwood, excited about a new course and the possibility of heading back west, had an interest from the beginning.

Engh was commissioned to design the course and from the earliest stages, the project was spectacular. A four-time Golf Digest National Award winner, Engh brought the talent, creative ideas and resources to make Lakota Canyon Ranch a golfer's paradise.

By March 2004, Underwood moved himself and his family to Colorado, where the course was in development. Noticing that a local practice facility was needed in the area, Underwood helped design one for Lakota while other construction was underway. He also delved into the development, design and management of Lakota Canyon Ranch, helping to make the course and the community around it a place in which he could take pride and call home.

As Lakota Canyon Ranch began to develop, the local community of New Castle blossomed. Located only 10 miles west of Glenwood Springs, New Castle became one of the fastest growing towns in Colorado. Surrounded by 7,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land and 20,000 acres of White River National Forest, the town was the perfect location not only for a golf course community, but also for a true mountain course.

Lakota Canyon Ranch officially opened in May of 2004, an 18-hole championship golf course with stunning views of rugged western Colorado canyons and natural terrain. The result was everything Underwood hoped for. Locals enjoyed the course and out-of-towners came for the great holes and striking scenery.

"What's wonderful about this course is that the average out-of-town golfer will not see something like this at home. It's a beautiful course that people are willing to drive to. Because of our location off of I-70 and the towns and cities near us, such as Glenwood Springs, it's a course around which golfers can plan a vacation. That adds another dimension to a desirable golf course," says Underwood.

An avid supporter of the local community, Underwood extended the local discount for the course to three counties: Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin. He knew from the beginning that the best courses have a balanced mix of local residents and out-of-town visitors. Lakota also marketed its course nationally and in Denver. Soon, the lines at golf shows grew long in front of Lakota Canyon Ranch's booth, as people began pointing at photos of the scenic golf holes, exclaiming to friends how this was, by far, their favorite course.

Today, Lakota Canyon Ranch is a stunning golf course community and a magnificent course with gorgeous mountain views and exceptionally designed holes. Thanks to Underwood's direction, and the knowledge and hard work of Golf Course Superintendent Brian Pemberton, it has grown into a course of distinction despite the difficult task of maintaining a meticulously manicured course on Colorado's Western Slope. Year after year since 2005, Lakota remains in the top 100 rated golf courses in the United States, as published by Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golfweek. The course is further set apart by exceptional customer service. Every staff member takes the time to ensure that each player has a wonderful experience.

"The staff and I strive to bring a country club feel to a public golf course," says Underwood. "We know that people today have many choices about where they play and we make sure they know we appreciate that they choose to come to Lakota."

Lakota Canyon Ranch is truly a source of pride and accomplishment for Underwood and he has worn many hats during his time at the course. From an undeveloped parcel of mountain land to a beautiful golf course played by hundreds each year, Lakota has shaped mountain golf, the town of New Castle and Underwood's life.

When he thinks about the future, Underwood pictures himself coming back to the course repeatedly, bringing his young son Logan along to play. He can imagine the holes that he has played so many times, driving past the community he helped build and returning to the place that he has made his home. He has little doubt that Lakota will be thriving, offering golfers exceptional service, beautifully designed holes and an overall experience that will continue to call them back again and again.

Sarah Tahvonen is a contributing writer to Colorado Golf Magazine