77 DEPARTMENTS

Oh, the Places We’ll Go (Someday Soon)

MY YOUNGEST SON lives in Phoenix, where he, of course, has a bevy of fantastic golf courses at his disposal. However, that didn’t stop him recently from hopping in his car with a PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE SCHWABEROW/CLARKSON CREATIVE buddy for a quick jaunt out to San Diego to tee it up. I have to admit to feeling more than a slight twinge of envy. An avid golfer could certainly do a lot worse than playing on a regular basis in Colorado, and this year—which will likely forever be known as golf’s COVID-19 season—there’s certainly been ample opportunity to get out and enjoy a round on any number of local tracts. Even so, there’s no denying the excitement and anticipation that accompanies the golf road trip. Whether it’s returning to an old favorite, or at long last making the excursion of a lifetime, the senses are heightened to the point where seeing your clubs moving towards you on the luggage carousel, or unpacking a suitcase (and perhaps laying out the next day’s outfit) can be an absolute rush. Of course, those sensations weren’t available for a whole lot of folks this year. With

Europe off-limits for the most part, and even Hawaii closed for business for much of the season, the bucket list trip likely wasn’t in the offing. This issue of the magazine is usually a tribute to those excursions; the far-flung locales that spark a hankering, or perhaps put visions of birdies (and drinks with mini umbrellas in them) in your head before you go out to shovel the driveway. Perhaps you’re making do by thinking about one of the last times you boarded a flight or hopped in the car and hit the road—if that’s the case, you’re not alone.

Beginning on page 50, a number of local golf enthusiasts tell stories about some of the favorite trips they’ve taken, as well as weigh in on some courses they’re looking forward to returning to when the time is right (Spoiler Alert: Colorado Rockies fans might want to look away, as manager Bud Black plans on doing some fraternizing with a division rival…). Speaking of baseball and looking ahead, how many great trips have combined golf and Spring Training? While the latter is still in something of a state of flux, we know a place that’s got you covered as far as great golf is concerned—on page 46, we visit the fabulous We-Ko-Pa resort. Of course, Cancun has long been a mainstay for the itinerant golfer, but this year the

Mexican paradise was hit by a double whammy—not only was tourism curtailed by the pandemic, but, just when things were beginning to open up, the region was battered by a hurricane, submerging many courses under sheets of water. On page 60, we look at how one resort worked to make it through the trauma and its plans to make sure that your next visit there will lead to stories you’ll want to share with everyone you meet. And if you should happen to go on United Airlines, you might want to sneak a peek into the cockpit—perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a future playing partner. While she’s led a remarkable life that includes playing on a college national championship basketball team (with some Hall of Fame teammates) and becoming a groundbreaking pilot, M’lis Ward soars highest when she’s on a golf course. Come along for the ride on page 56. Although the theme of this issue is travel, there’s no shame in making Colorado your base of operations. From Metro Denver through the Western Slope, the Centennial

State is chock-full of spectacular venues. As has been the case for the last 18 years,

Colorado AvidGolfer has asked for your help in determining the best of the best, whether it’s places to play (or practice), instruction, or yes, where to go when you want to get away. Voting for our annual CAGGY awards is underway through December 31; go online to coloradoavidgolfer.com/2021-caggy-awards and make your choices—we promise this will be the least stressful election you’ll take part in during 2020. —ANTHONY COTTON