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Colorado
GRAND COUNTY • STEAMBOAT • CORTEZ RED FEATHER LAKES • COLORADO SPRINGS PRESENTED BY
GRAND ELK
Koelbel’s Mountain Majesty
Grand Elk Golf Club
FIND YOUR BLISS
Great Golf | Heavenly Hikes | High Country Living coloradoavidgolfer.com
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WINTER PARK PLEASED TO MEET YOU At capacity, Lake Granby is 221 feet deep and has 7,280 surface acres with 40 miles of shoreline. Among the fish just waiting to make your acquaintance are Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow, Cutthroat, Brown and Mackinaw trout. After fly-fishing, eat your catch at a nearby picnic. granbychamber.com
BREAKING FROM THE PACK Winter Park calls itself “Mountain Bike Capital USA”—and it’s got the trademark to prove it. With 600 miles of trails, chances are, from the adventurous to more family-friendly, you’ll find a path or course to your liking. playwinterpark.com/bike-winter-park
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
come and say howdy
After “holding out for a miracle” that wasn’t answered, Winter Park officials admit that this summer will be a bit different, due to the novel coronavirus. But the fun and games, as Sherlock Holmes might say, are still very much afoot. The reopened Rocky Mountain National Park is always a draw for the entire family, and hiking and biking are also there for the taking. Not much more than a
stone’s throw from Koelbel Grand Elk sits Lake Granby. At press time, the marinas were slated to be open, which means access to a wealth of activities at facilities like the Beacon Landing and Indian Peaks Marinas. For those desirous of a different kind of motoring, perhaps check out one of the many ranches nearby for a chance to get your gallop going. playwinterpark.com
GETAWAY—NO REALLY, GET AWAY A Moment of Bliss Clearly, most everyone you know (that most certainly includes you!), is dealing with the daily stress associated with the pandemic. That’s why it’s important to take the chance to get away and perhaps re-center yourself, find a moment of peace—and just chill. In Winter Park, you’ll likely find just what you need. Sign up for a three-day retreat that includes spas, Pilates classes, Colorado hot springs and more. playwinterpark.com/relaxing-three-day-itinerary
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WINTER PARK
Grand Elk Golf Club
A FOURSOME Even while getting your chill on, there’s every chance that the competitor in you may still want to come out and play. Luckily, there are four options that will give you all you want and more. Whether it’s the 6,570-yard Grand Lake Golf Course (designed by Dick Phelps); the 7,101-yard Pole Creek Golf Course (Denis Griffiths); or a pair of courses designed by former Masters champions: the 7,144-yard Grand Elk Golf Club (Craig
for everyone
Stadler) or the 7,260-yard Granby Ranch Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus), you’ll be tested by rolling fairways and subtle, undulating greens, all while taking in panoramic mountain views. Speaking of which: if it turns out that, in the competition between man and nature, nature has the upper hand, just give in—you can always make a detour to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park and reacquire your sense of zen. visitgrandcounty.com
Some Spirited Options
Grand Lake Golf Course
COLORADO AVIDGOLFER | June 2020
Idlewild Spirits Distillery
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COURTESY IDLEWILD SPIRITS DISTILLERY
It’s Up to You While most group activities have been curtailed because of the coronavirus, you can still design itineraries and activities covering one day or a full week. playwinterpark.com
One of the calling cards at Fraser Valley Distilling is its “Indecision Whiskey,” a blend of single-malt bourbon and rye, that’s perfect— natch—for when you just can’t decide what you want. After piquing your interest (and taste buds), you can also head over to Idlewild Spirits Distillery. It features the aptly-named “Idle” and “Wild” Series—the first is more traditional; the second has treats like hibiscus-infused gin. Down the hatch! fraservalleydistilling.com; idlewildspirits.com
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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BOTANIC BEAUTY A six-acre gem comprised of over 50 gardens with ponds, benches and sculptures, the Yampa River Botanic Park is a great opportunity for self-reflection and serenity. Each garden has a different focus, allowing visitors the chance to find something that might complement their home garden. The Park is free and open to the public. yrbp.org
Haymaker Golf Course
Do It Yourself
Steamboat Springs says the community will be ready to welcome you “when the time is right.” And while those days are certainly approaching, officials say the best course of action—at least early in the summer—is to engage in “self-powered adventures.” One of the most self-powered activities that’s available for anyone (with the necessary internal fortitude) is golf—and there’s no better place to test yourself than Haymaker Golf Course. The 7,308yard layout was voted one of the top five in the state by Golfweek. haymakergolf.com
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Yampa River Botanic Park
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Like A Rolling Stone
Built along the flanks of nearby Mt. Werner, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club combines tumbling streams and dramatic tee shots. The 6,730-yard Robert Trent Jones II design is well-fortified—70 fairway and greenside sand bunkers come into play on all 18 holes. After navigating those desertlike hazards, perhaps you’ll consider the seven holes that feature the scenic Fish Creek as something of an oasis. rollingstoneranchgolf.com
The Crooked Key
SPRINGS, YOU SAY? It really wouldn’t be Steamboat Springs if there weren’t actual mineral-rich thermal waters bubbling about. Why not take a walking tour—a one-mile jaunt lets you pop in on five of the town’s seven different springs. steamboatsprings.net
Key to the City Tired of finishing that 1,000-piece puzzle for the 17th time during your forced stay-at-home existence? The time may be right to experience a real-life challenge. The Crooked Key provides “a live-action physical and mental adventure” where your group works together searching for clues and solving puzzles—all within an hour or less. crookedkey.com Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club
AT ROLLINGSTONE RANCH GOLF CLUB AT THE SHERATON STEAMBOAT RESORT
Experience one of the best courses in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A spectacular 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, features incredible views of the Yampa Valley, while Fish Creek winds its way through seven of the holes. The 70 bunkers and large, undulating bent grass greens make this a truly championshipcaliber course to be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. For these reasons, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club received the “2019 CAGGY Winner, Best Mountain Courses in Colorado” by Colorado AvidGolfer. 12 3 0 S T E A M B O AT B LV D, S T E A M B O AT S P R I N G S , C O 8 0 4 87 R O L L I N G S T O N E R A N C H G O L F. C O M | 9 7 0 . 8 7 9.13 9 1
CALL 970.879.1391 OR VISIT rollings toner anchgolf.COM FOR THE BEST AVAIL ABLE RAT ES
R O L L I N G S T O N E R A N C H G O L F C L U B I S M A N A G E D B Y T R O O N G O L F, ® THE LE ADER IN UPSCALE GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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ROAD TRIP
HEADS OR TAILS
If there’s a fork in the road...take it GO NORTH, CHASE A FOX BREAKAWAY—THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU (PART 1) The sun is out, the sky is cloudless and ever-so blue, the gas tank is full and you’ve decided the time is right to free yourself from the shackles of your self-imposed stay-at-home banishment. The open road is beckoning and there are decisions to be made. You’ve hopped on I-25... now what? The golf clubs are nestled in the trunk, also yearning to be free—answering the call, you head north to The Golf Club at Fox Acres. At 8,300 feet above sea level, your head will be clear and ready to take on the beautiful, 6,500-yard John Cochran-designed course, spread out over 460 acres. golfclubatfoxacres.com Speaking of acreage, after your round, here’s another appealing option—hit the backcountry at the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Available exploration options include Cache la Poudre and the Santiago Mill. More adventures are being added daily; the U.S. Forest Service has an online story map with the latest info. fs.usda.gov
The Golf Club at Fox Acres
Photos: Tyana Arviso
SOUTHWEST AND CONQUER: BREAKAWAY—THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU (PART 2) Perhaps easing into your getaway isn’t your thing—when it’s time to go, it’s time to go! Perhaps the spirit will move you to take a longer journey; in that case, one possibility would be an escape to the Four Corners, that almost mystical region of the country where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet. On your way, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a round of golf in—one very appealing option is Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez. A 7,152-yard Press Maxwell/Bill Stroud design, the greens are small, but the vistas are expansive, with views of the La Plata Mountains, Mesa Verde and the Ute Mountain. It’s all so captivating, you’ll be tempted to not come back to reality. fourcornersgolf.com Conquistador Golf Club
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STAY & PLAY RED FEATHER LAKES, CO
THE GOLF CLUB AT FOX ACRES GOLF OUTINGS, COUPLES GET-AWAYS, WORK REMOTELY WITH WIFI, SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ITS FINEST ALWAYS KNOW WHATS HAPPENING ... FOLLOW US! @thegolfclubatfoxacres
1700 County Road 67J, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545 970.881.2574 | dkennedy@golfclubatfoxacres.com
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COLORADO SPRINGS
Kissing Camels Golf Course
KISS A CAMEL
walk amongst Gods
While the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center was still closed as of press time due to the coronavirus, there are still plenty of activities available at Garden of the Gods park, including Jeep, Segway, E-Bike and rock climbing tours. At the nearby Garden of the Gods Resort, guests still have access to the STRATA Salon as well as the Medical Center. There, visitors can immerse themselves in a multitude of wellness activities, including mindful meditation, IV nutritional therapy and health discovery sessions. After becoming the best you that you can possibly be, you’ll want to celebrate with a round of golf at Kissing Camels. Featuring 27 holes designed by J. Press Maxwell and Mark Rathert, the course spans more than 7,000 yards. gardenofthegodsresort.com
Royal Gorge Zip Line
GORGE YOURSELF SILLY
Begin with zip-lining for a mile over 100 acres of hillside along the Royal Gorge plateau, then settle down in a riverside yurt. If you’re game, Royal Gorge Rafting and Zip Line Tours can create a memorable package. royalgorgerafting.net
MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY
The Broadmoor
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The Broadmoor has hosted eight USGA national championships and numerous other major tournaments, including the Curtis Cup and NCAA championships. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t walk in the same footsteps as Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam—The East Course, designed by Donald Ross, plays at a taxing 7,355 yards, with magnificent views abutting almost every hole. The legendary hotel is expected to be open for overnight guests beginning on June 28. broadmoor.com coloradoavidgolfer.com
P L AY HARD
/
rest easy
Discov er the Be n efits of Me mb ership Life is not meant to be rushed. It is something to savor. To sip. To enjoy. That’s why we built Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in a one-of-a-kind setting, surrounded by natural wonders. Because when you’re lucky enough to live in a place like this, you need to make sure it’s properly experienced in every sense. We invite you to claim your home away from home with a Garden of the Gods Club Membership. Choose from a variety of membership categories to fit your needs and patterns of usage. And enjoy world-class activities and amenities, our full social calendar of events and parties, luxury accommodations for you and your guests, and countless other exclusive benefits. Become part of our social community at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club and leave no sense unturned.
OUR MEMBERSHIP TEAM IS HERE FOR YOU. PLEASE CONTACT TRACEY KALATA AT 719-520-4980 OR TKALATA@GARDENOFTHEGODSRESORT.COM
3320
Mesa Road
Colorado Springs
CO
80904
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gardenofthegodsclub.com