Fall 2014

Mile High Golf at $52.80: 16 Screaming Deals (see page 9)

Elevating the Game.

coloradoavidgolfer.com

CHERRY BOMBS! The Ultimate BMW Viewer’s Guide

• Players to Watch • How to Watch • Getting There • Where to Eat

50

Rory leads an explosive field into Denver

David Duval & Andy North on Cherry Hills fall 2014 | $3.95

Pages of Arizona, Utah and Nevada Getaways

09

0

>

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2014

6 Forethoughts

The Golden Boys.

By Jon Rizzi

Fall

16 ‘Net Score

Leapers, quackers and

boomers.

19 The Gallery

Coal Creek recovers; PGA REACH; Tom Watson’s hands; U.S. Kids; Colorado Open winner.

128 The Games

of Golf

What makes a PGA Tour pro?

Player’s Corner

29 Profile

CU men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle.

By Sam Adams

34 Lesson A ball underfoot can

deliver yards off the tee. By Steve Beach

Features Sidebets

36 Risk/Reward

How to win your financial triathlon.

By Christian Ravsten

39 Nice Drives

The BMW i3 and M235i By Isaac Bouchard

9

Mile High Golf at $52.80

Exclusive autumn offers from 16 Colorado courses ................................

77

Winter Travel Special

A selective guide to Arizona, Nevada, Utah and the best of the Southwest.

44

It’s Go Time!

After three years of buildup, billboards, comical commercials, exhibitions and hype, the BMW Championship finally pulls into Cherry Hills. An ultimate viewer’s guide to the players and places to watch, how to get there, après eats from Gary James and more. Plus: Reflections by David Duval and Andy North.

66

Back in the Loop

Thanks to dedicated people and programs, Colorado is spearheading the comeback of the caddie. By Denny Dressman

74

Love the Dove

That’s the refrain from Residence owners at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, where luxurious desert homes come with the amenities of a worldclass resort and WGC course. By Jon Rizzi

Cherry Hills Country Club hole #18

ON THE COVER: Rory McIlroy.

Photograph by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

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p h o t o g r a p h by by R o b B r o w n / r o b b r o w n p h o t o g r a p h y

Contents

In Every Issue

Fall 2014 Volume 13, Number 6 publisher

Allen J. Walters editor

Jon Rizzi associate publisher

Chris Phillips art director

Jeremy Cantalamessa editor-at-large

Tom Ferrell

automotive editor

Isaac Bouchard contributors

Sam Adams, Andy Bigford, E.J. Carr, Tony Dear, Denny Dressman, Sue Drinker, Dick Durrance II, Chris Duthie, Amy Freeland, Lois Friedland, Gary James, Ted Johnson, Kaye W. Kessler, Jake KubiĂŠ, Todd Langley, Kim D. McHugh, Bob Russo, Jerry Walters, Neil Wolkodoff digital and social media manager

Kate Stromberg office and operations manager

Cindy P. Nold projects and special events manager

Ryan McLean editorial intern

Marina Beach p r i n c i pa l s

Ray L. Baker, C. Don Baker, Dick B. Baker Advertising Inquiries: cindy@coloradoavidgolfer.com Editorial Inquiries and letters: jon@coloradoavidgolfer.com Customer Service and Subscriptions: 720-493-1729 Mailing address: 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180, Centennial, CO 80112 FAX: 720-482-0784 Newsstand Information: 720-493-1729

coloradoavidgolfer.com Colorado AvidGolfer (ISSN 1548-4335) is published eight times a year by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by American Web, Inc. Volume 13, Number Six. 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180, Centennial, CO 80112. Colorado AvidGolfer is available at more than 250 locations, or you can order your personal subscription by calling 720-493-1729. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $17.95 per year. Copyright Š 2014 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to Colorado AvidGolfer, 7200 S Alton Way #A-180 Centennial, CO 80112.The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

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Forethoughts

The Golden Boys

M

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F OR E THO U GHT S PHOTO BY Te d M c I n t y r e

ost golf aficionados would agree that Cherry Hills Country Club, the site of this year’s BMW Championship, epitomizes the “Golden Age of Golf Course Architecture.” Designed by Philadelphian William S. Flynn and recently restored by Tom Doak, Cherry opened in 1922, putting it near the midpoint of a quarter-century bookended by the respective openings of Long Island’s National Golf Links in 1911 and Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club in 1936.

Those 25 years—which also saw the debuts of Pine Valley, Pebble Beach, Augusta National, Cypress Point, Merion and other perennial Top 100 denizens—roughly coincided with what many also consider the “Golden Age of Golf.” This was an era dominated by gentlemen like Francis Ouimet, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour and Chick Evans (after whom the scholarships principally funded by the BMW is named).

With all due respect to the above legends, most of us could make a more convincing Golden Age argument for the period between 1958 and 1980, when Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson regularly duked it out.

More than three decades have passed since we’ve had anything approaching another Golden Age of Golf. Despite an occasional flurry from Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods’ dominance from 1997 to 2008 served only to gild his wallet and those of the countless PGA Tour players who benefited from more lucrative purses and sponsorship deals. Golf ’s popularity exploded. But in retrospect, Tiger’s “golden” impact on the sport seems alchemistic.

Perhaps because they recall a time when we were more innocent or less jaded, most of us tend to cast a golden glow on the people and events from our youths. Put into context, the glory days of Jones and Sarazen were also marked by the horrors of the First World War, flu pandemics and the Great Depression. Palmer, Nicklaus, et.al. played against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, Watergate and tremendous political and social upheaval.

To paraphrase my father: “The older I get, the better things were.”

However, I’d rather quote the optimistic historian who wrote: “The golden age is before us, not behind us.”

It’s a bit premature, but I think Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson and the players taking on the Golden Age course of Cherry Hills this September could well represent a new Golden Age of Golf. They drip with the kind of must-see talent, confidence, charisma and competitive juices that can define an era. Plus, they have transcendent talent that doesn’t transcend the sportsmanship that makes golf great.

With scads of viewer tips and player profiles starting on page 44, this issue provides a guide to savoring some of this budding greatness. The BMW is, yes, a golden opportunity to see up-close a field of golfers we’ll be talking about for years to come. Don’t waste it. —Jon Rizzi

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September 15-28

• APPLEWOOD • COLORADO NATIONAL • COMMONGROUND • Deer creek • GRAND LAKE PHOTO BY JAC K A F F L E C K

• GREEN VALLEY RANCH • HERITAGE EAGLE BEND • HIGHLANDS RANCH • THE GREG MASTRIONA GOLf COURSES at HYLAND HILLS • KEYSTONE RANCH • RIVER course at keystone • Plum creek • Raccoon Creek • RED HAWK RIDGE • THE RIDGE AT CASTLE PINES • Fox Acres

FALL

Colorado Golf at it’s Finest for $52.80 see following pages for details. co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

9

Applewood golf course 14001 W. 32nd Ave, Golden • (303) 279-3003 • ApplewoodGC.com Opened in 1961, Applewood Golf Course has been regarded as one of the best Denver golf locations for the whole family. Set against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and 15 minutes from Denver, the course is a tribute to its breathtaking surroundings as well as the beauty of the game of golf itself. Whether you’re looking for tournaments, leagues, a wedding location or even 18 holes of golf, Applewood is a location that won’t disappoint.

offer Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, range balls, hot dog, chips and soft drink for two (2) players for $52.80. Offer valid any day after 1 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

Colorado National Golf Club 2700 Vista Pkwy., Erie • (303) 926-1723 x1 • ColoradoNationalGolfClub.com Located 20 minutes north of Denver, Colorado National Golf Club is one of the state’s premier golf facilities. The exclusive home to the University of Colorado golf teams, this Jay Morrish-Ric Buckton collaboration can stretch to more than 7,700 yards and includes rolling terrain, native hazards and breathtaking views of the Front Range’s snowcapped peaks.

OFFER Includes: Green fee, cart, range and sleeve of golf balls. Valid Monday-Friday anytime and weekends after 11a.m. for $52.80 per person. **Each paid $52.80 participant will also receive the following offer for use: Bring a twosome in the month of October 2013 and receive two rounds of golf, cart and range for $80 (valid Monday-Friday anytime and weekends after 11a.m. during the month of October).

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

CommonGround Golf Course 10300 E. Golfers Way, Aurora • (303) 340-1520 • CommonGroundGC.com ­­­­­ Designed by world-renowned architect Tom Doak and owned by the Colorado Golf Association and Colorado Women’s Golf Association, the state’s newest public course is also one of its most affordable golf experiences. It measures 7,200 yards and features mounded fairways, huge green complexes and plenty of subtle elevation changes. While challenging enough to co-host the 2012 U.S. Amateur, CommonGround has multiple tees to create an enjoyable experience for all abilities.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart and large bucket of range balls for $52.80. Valid anytime Monday through Thursday and after 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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Deer Creek golf cLUB

8135 Shaffer Pkwy, Littleton • (303) 978-1800 • PlayDeerCreek.com Deer Creek Golf Club has a links-style layout that wanders through rolling hills covered with more than 40 acres of natural wetlands. The landscape is beautifully maintained and provides many natural challenges. The golf course features elevated greens guarded by numerous bunkers and there is also the occasional island green. There are many risk-reward opportunities on the golf course, but it demands accuracy and strategic play.

OFFER Includes: Green Fee for two (2) players and one (1) small bucket of balls (cart not included).

Offer good Monday-Thursday anytime. Friday-Sunday after 12 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

GRAND LAKE GOLF COURSE

1415 County Rd 48 • P.O. Box 590, Grand Lake • (970) 627-8008 GrandLakeRecreation.com This 18- hole championship golf course, designed by Dick Phelps, is carved out of the woods at an elevation of 8,420 feet bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. The narrowly rolling fairways surround well-tended, subtle greens. The majestic Rocky Mountains, some still capped by the winter snows, tower high above offering exclusive and unique panoramic views. It’s all yours for the taking at the Grand Lake Golf Course, where your approach shot just might be checked out by a curious moose, elk, deer or fox.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart and range balls for two (2) players for $52.80. Offer valid anytime, any day.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

Green Valley Ranch Golf Club

4900 Himalaya Rd., Denver • (303) 371-3131 • GVRgolf.com Host to all three Colorado Open Championships, Green Valley Ranch Golf Club stretches to a demanding 7,249 yards and blends natural wetlands, creeks and towering cottonwoods. The last three holes make up one of the best finishes in Colorado golf—score par or better and the first drink is on GVR.

OFFER Includes: 18-hole green fee, 18-hole cart fee with GPS, driving range balls and one (1) sleeve of Bridgestone E5, E6 or E7 golf balls for $52.80.

Valid anytime Monday–Thursday; and after 12 p.m. on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th. co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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HERITAGE EAGLE BEND 23155 E. Heritage Parkway, Aurora • (303) 693-7788 • HeritageEagleBend.com Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club offers an exceptional golf experience. Set in the rolling hills of southeast Aurora, this 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arthur Hills provides dramatic elevation changes, panoramic views and wide accommodating fairways. The holes offer five tee box options ranging from 5,045 to 7,105 yards to test and appeal to players of all abilities.

OFFER Includes 18 holes of golf, cart, practice balls and $10.00 golf shop credit (good towards merchandise only).

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

The greg mastriona golf courses at hyland hills 9650 Sheridan Blvd, Westminster • (303) 428-6526 • GolfHylandHills.com Known for its unique design and spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills offers a rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels. It has received numerous awards including one of the top 100 golf courses to play in America by Golf Digest as well as one of the best courses to play for families and women in 2013 by Colorado AvidGolfer. To book tee times online visit golfhylandhills.com or call 303-426-4653 (GOLF).

OFFER Includes: Two (2) players receive green fees for 18 holes and two buckets of range balls for $52.80 vat the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills. Valid anytime from Sept 15-28, 2014.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

Highlands Ranch Golf Club 9000 Creekside Way, Highlands Ranch • (303) 471-0000 HighlandsRanchGolf.du.edu Highlands Ranch Golf Club is an 18-hole semi-private golf club featuring a Hale Irwin-designed championship golf course. The course, which opened in 1998, features a great variety of immaculately groomed holes. The 7,179-yard par-72 layout boasts expansive bentgrass greens that many say are the best in the region.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart and warm-up balls. Offer valid Monday-Thursday anytime, Friday before 11:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday after 1 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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KEYSTONE RESORT (970) 496-4250 • GolfKeystone.com

With two distinctly different 18-hole courses–Keystone Ranch Golf Course and The River Course at Keystone–Keystone Resort is one of the high country’s top golf retreats. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Ranch Course plays around a pristine 9-acre lake, while The River Course, which was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, winds along the Snake River and offers stunning views of Keystone Lake.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes at either The Keystone Ranch or The River Course from $52.80 per person, golf cart, practice facility access and range balls. Valid Sunday–Thursday after 12 p.m. at The Keystone Ranch and The River Course at Keystone. Must be booked online at www.golfkeystone.com. Use promo code 14KAVID. Stay the night and receive discounted lodging. Call 888-697-1102 and mention promo code 14KAVID to reserve a room today. Blackout dates apply, must call in advance for reservations.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

PLUM Creek golf cLUB

331 Players Club Dr., Castle Rock • (303) 660-2200 • PlayPlumCreek.com Plum Creek Golf Club is located in beautiful Castle Rock, and is now managed by Billy Casper Golf. It’s a former TPC Golf Course and was host to a Champions Tour event for several years. Past champions include Miller Barber, Lee Elder, Bruce Crampton and Gary Player. This Pete Dye golf course features many of the state’s best and challenging holes.

OFFER Includes: Green Fee for two (2) players (cart not included). Offer good Monday-Thursday anytime. Friday-Sunday after 3 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

Raccoon Creek golf course 7301 W Bowles Ave, Littleton • (303) 973-4653 • RaccoonCreek.com This Denver-area golf course is a par-72 that plays between 5,130 and 7,045 yards depending on tee location. The established landscape provides some challenging elevations and water hazards for the experienced golfer, while our fairway designs can be used to make Raccoon Creek the perfect course for the first-time golfer to learn how to play.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes of golf and cart for $52.80. Offer valid Monday-Thursday anytime, FridaySunday after 12:00 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th. co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course 2156 Red Hawk Ridge Dr., Castle Rock • (720) 733-3500 • RedHawkRidge.com This Jim Engh design features extreme elevations change, abundant wildlife, dramatic vistas and rolling terrain, which is accentuated by Engh’s unique brand of architecture. The 6,942-yard has five sets of tees and welcomes golfers of all experience and skill levels with countless risk/reward opportunities, strategically placed bunkers and greenside lakes.

OFFER Includes: 18 holes of golf and cart for one (1) player. Offer valid Monday–Thursday anytime and Friday–Sunday after 1 p.m.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

The Ridge at Castle Pines 1414 Castle Pines Pkwy., Castle Rock • (303) 688-0100 • PlayTheRidge.com Consistently ranked as one of the best daily-fee courses in Colorado, The Ridge at Castle Pines North challenges golfers with massive elevation changes, myriad lakes and streams and expanses of pine and Gambel oak. Stick around after your round for a brew and some seriously good grub on the clubhouse patio, which provides stunning views of Pike’s Peak and Devil’s Head.

OFFER Includes: Golf, cart, practice balls, yardage book, scorecard and divot repair tool. Tee times valid after 12 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and anytime Monday through Thursday. Tee times may be booked 3 days in advance at www.playtheridge.com—use promo code 5280. All players will need to sign up for Troon Rewards for valid $52.80 rate.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

The Golf club at fox acres 3350 Fox Acres Dr E • Red Feather Lakes • (970) 881-2574 GolfClubatFoxAcres.com Golf thrives where there is a level of solitude and serenity. That means it thrives like crazy at Fox Acres. Designed by John Cochran, Fox Acres will leave you with a truly breathtaking experience. At 8,300 feet above sea level and just shy of 6,500 yards from the tips, it’s a thinking person’s course from start to finish, which is just fine since there is enough peace and quiet to allow for a good think.

offer Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and a drink for one (1) player for $52.80.

Offer valid any day, anytime.

Mile High Golf is September 15th through September 28th.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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What’d You Shoot?

PHOTOGRAPH BY KB DESIGNS (TOP).

Four Off the Floor

Photographer Katie Brewer literally elevated the level of the standard charity-event foursome shot at July 18th’s Annual Dolls for Daughters and Kenzi’s Kidz Invitational Scramble at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. Hopping to it are, from left, Mark Kunkle, Justin Pass, Sarah Keesling and Amy Scholl.

Fowl Play

At Inverness Golf Club, water only represents a hazard to duck-hooking golfers. To the resident waterfowl, it’s home. As this photo by JC Martin of Green FORE Green— which was hosting a hole-in-one competition on the 15th hole—shows, the family paddling nearby certainly knows how to keep its ducks in a row.

Weather or Not!

From his home adjacent to Colorado Golf Club, CAG contributor Kim McHugh captured the angry roil of stormclouds as they darkened the sky and halted play during a Colorado PGA REACH event.

Submit your unique or interesting photos to kate@coloradoavidgolfer.com to be featured in one of our next issues!

Find us at 16

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P h o t o g r a p h BY J ON R I Z Z I

theGallery

ONE YEAR LATER: Architect Kevin Norby shows local superintendents his reworking of the flood-ravaged Louisville course.

COAL CREEK RISES

L

ast September’s floods shut down Louisville’s Coal Creek Golf Course for the remainder of last year, all of this season, and—some thought—for good. But Parks and Recreation Director Joe Stevens, City Project Manager Allan Gill and Course Superintendent Chris Bradford had other plans for the 24-year-old facility.

Specifically, they had a $5 million longrange master plan in place two years before the disaster occurred. Developed by Kevin Norby of Minnesota-based Herford-Norby Golf Course Architects, the five-year plan called for multiple improvements, including hole lengthening, bunker remodeling,

co lo r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

removing and relocating trees, constructing curbed cart paths, re-contouring greens, modernizing irrigation and other upgrades.

But after the storm destroyed three bridges, the majority of the irrigation system and all but three holes, the city decided to implement key parts of the plan all at once.

Key to this decision was a September 4, 2013, policy change made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider “engineered landscapes” as eligible for federal financial relief. The floods and subsequent disaster proclamation came within a week of the policy change, so the government would pay 75 percent of the repairs. The state and city each kicked in 12.5 percent. Red tape naturally ensued, but ulti-

mately, much of the master plan was folded into the restoration.

Working with the construction concern Landscapes Unlimited, Norby added contours to the fairways and greens, shrunk some of the greenside bunkers so they could be hand-raked, and he fescued their faces to help protect them from the howling winds.

He adjusted the fairway bunker locations to reflect changes wrought by a quartercentury of equipment and ball evolution. He repositioned a number of tees and removed multiple trees.

Most noticeably, the 16th green, visible to westbound drivers on Highway 36, now sits 70 feet further from the road, and most of the hole now hides behind containment

Fall 2014 |Colorado AvidGolfer

19

theGallery

Mr. Watson, We Presume?

RAKISH: Bunkers by the relocated 16th green.

berms formed from dirt excavated by nearby roadwork.

“It will definitely be a different golf course,” Norby says.

“More enjoyable, more strategic, with better drainage and better conditions. And I think it’ll be more fun.” To that end, he mentions the creation of a putting course near the clubhouse that draws inspiration from the Punchbowl Course at Bandon Dunes co-designed by Denverite Jim Urbina.

“Without City Council support this could easily have been turned into open space,” Chris Bradford says. “But it costs a lot of money to maintain open space that generates no revenue.

Meanwhile we generate about $2 million annually and maintain habitats for plants and wildlife.”

Bradford and Norby both aim to have Coal Creek open next summer. For diagrams of all course changes, visit coalcreekgolf.com.

TRUE GRIP: The Watson display at DIA.

experience Colorado High country golf at The Ridge.

The Ridge at Castle Pines North offers golfers an idyllic passage to a high country experience at the foot of Colorado’s infamous Front Range, the former stomping grounds of Calamity Jane and Buffalo Bill. Ample fairways marked by prominent rock outcroppings, sculpted bunkers, gracefully contoured greens and the panoramic views of Pike’s Peak make The Ridge the number one daily-fee golf course in Colorado. Visit PLAYTHERIDGE.COM for special offers and promotions!

OFFICIAL GOLF COURSE OF THE AVALANCHE

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THE RIDGE AT C A STLE PINES NORTH IS m ANAGED by TROON GOLf, ® THE LE ADER IN uPSC ALE GOLf COuRSE m ANAGEmENT

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P h o t o g r a p h s c o u rt es y o f K e v i n N o r by ( lef t ) a n d De n v e r I n t e r n at i o n a l Ai r p o rt

While waiting for your golf bag to emerge from baggage claim at DIA, check out “A Show of Hands,” a cast-bronze exhibition of the hands of such sports legends as Todd Helton, “Goose” Gossage, John Elway…and Tom Watson. Colorado artist Raelee Frazier’s sculpture of The Ryder Cup captain’s grip “is spot-on accurate....very well done!” he wrote in an email. A Show of Hands, part of the Art and Culture Program at Denver International Airport, continues through October. flydenver.com/artexhibits

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• To promote diversity and inclusiveness in golf, Colorado PGA Reach is awarding Growth of the Game Grants in support of programs that target traditionally underserved communities. It is also working with the United States Olympic Committee’s F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program, to empower students of all backgrounds through golf so they can thrive in the highly competitive world of sports business.

“Our goal is to reach as many people as we can,” Ainsworth says, explaining of the name change. “We believe we can make a positive difference in lives.” coloradopga.com

REACH

As one of the most progressive of the 41 PGA of America Sections, the Colorado PGA Section last month announced it has rebranded its charitable foundation as Colorado PGA REACH. “The three pillars of Colorado PGA REACH will be youth development, support of our military, and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion,” Executive Director Eddie Ainsworth says.

“In all three areas we seek to positively impact lives through the game of golf.” While the Colorado PGA Foundation supported initiatives on these fronts, the organization’s new name more clearly defines its outreach mission.

• On the youth-development front, the Section’s five-year-old Golf in Schools Program has introduced golf to more than 30,000 school-aged children through P.E. classes. Eighty-five percent of these students have also taken part in on-course activities.

• In terms of military support, the Section is working with the Denver VA and the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson to implement the PGA’s Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) Program. The five-week program introduces golf as a way to enhance the mental, social, physical and REACHED: Golf in Schools product Frank Lockwood emotional wellbeing of disabled soldiers.

Quite a Legacy

Twenty years ago this September Westminster’s Legacy Ridge Golf Course welcomed the first golfers to its championship-caliber Arthur Hills design. The city-owned course, which has hosted Colorado Open qualifiers for more than 10 years running, extends to 7,157 challenging yards, presenting one of the sternest public tests on the Front Range.

Regarded equally as highly for its forwardtee friendliness, Legacy Ridge has some anniversary specials planned Sept 8-13. But regulars know every day is a celebration in the Grill, especially at breakfast, where you can fuel up on Smoked Red Trout Benedict, Greek Omelet, Seared Pork Tenderloin Breakfast Tacos or the Grilled Flat Iron Steak & Eggs. c i . w e s t m i n s t e r. c o . u s / P a r k s R e c / GolfWestminster/LegacyRidge; 303-438-8997.

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4/30/2014 10:30:24 AM

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P h o t o g r a p h By E . J . C a r r ( L E F T )

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Host your holiday event at Cool River and surround yourself with a mix of fine food and exotic cocktails. Five private dining rooms for groups of 8 to 150. Excitement is swirling around every corner.

With 42 percent of the competitors hailing from places outside Colorado (including South Korea, Canada and Australia), it came as little surprise that someone other than a homegrown product won the 50th HealthONE Colorado Open July 27. Ian Davis of Edmond, Okla., shot a 14-under 270 at Denver’s Green Valley Ranch Golf Club to outpace the field by five strokes.

Davis, who just a month earlier had competed for Oklahoma State University versus Alabama in the NCAA National Finals, made his first professional victory pay off, earning $23,000.

Davis became the 23rd of the Colorado Open’s first 50 winners to come from beyond the state’s borders. Two of the 27 in-state victories came from one of Davis’s coaches at OSU, Brian Guetz, who suggested the tournament to both Davis and teammate Kevin Dougherty (who finished T34). Only three of the top ten finishers were Coloradans. The highest, Cameron Harrell, a Colorado State University senior from Colorado Springs, tied for fifth at 7-under, taking low-amateur honors.

“What was so impressive was this year’s

The Kids Are Alright U.S. Kids Golf ended its season with its 15th annual World Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. In all, more than 1,500 boys and girls between the ages of five and 12 from around the world competed. One member of the Denver Local Tour contingent, six-year-old Andre Dumonteil of Centennial, carded his first ace, holing the 85-yard eighth hole with a hybrid at Midland Country Club. Both Dumonteil and 10-yearold Skylee Shin placed ninth in their respective age-based tournaments. Others making the trip were Traejan Andrews, Eva Pett, Suchit Sharma and Halley Schalk.

All of them, as well as sister stars Marie and Anna Jordaan, had participated in the Denver Local Tour of U.S. Kids, an organization that produces more than 800 tournaments in 50 different markets. The organization customizes the sport for juniors through its tailored equipment line, instruction and tournament series.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

COWBOY UP: Ian Davis

field reminded me of the great years when we had one-time opportunities to see great players who left the collegiate ranks and were going on to bigger and better things,” says Colorado Open President and CEO Kevin Laura, citing Davis and runner-up Brandon Hagy, who had four individual tournament wins at UC Berkeley. “They’re like the Charlie Beljans and Jimmy Walkers who have come through the Colorado Open as they go on to become the great golfers of the future.” coloradoopen.com

Junior Golf Association and Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour, U.S. Kids focuses on players wanting to learn and play in a collegial atmosphere. “I don’t believe in disqualifying,” says Denver’s U.S. Kids Director Rick Timm, whom the Colorado PGA last year honored as Junior Golf Leader of the Year. “I limit each hole to a score of 10. That way we can keep up pace of play and hopefully

ACE: Andre Dumonteil and his hole-in-one ball.

encourage the juniors to keep playing.”

To that end, U.S. Kids encourages players to have caddies. “Anyone is allowed to caddie for the player, so I see grandparents, parents, siblings, you name it,” Timm says. “It’s neat to see how each team works together.” It’s that kind of lighthearted teamwork that Timm—who also runs his eponymous golf academy at Family Sports in Centennial—fosters. “I would much rather be known as the fun tour.” — Marina Beach coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P h o t o s by Ja n e H a r dy / S h o t m a ke r s P h o t o g r a p h y ( t o p ) , U . s . ki d s a n d F r a n k Dum o n t eil

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public courses in Colorado now feature ninehole FootGolf courses: Saddleback Golf Course in Firestone; Park Hill in Denver; Springs Ranch in Colorado Springs; and EagleVail in Avon. FootGolfers play with a regulation #5 soccer ball on shortened holes with 21-inch diameter cups. No holes are longer than 200 yards, with most less than 100. The rules largely correspond to the Rules of Golf, with the USGA-esque American FootGolf League subjecting to R&A-type regulation by the London-based Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG). EagleVail PGA Director of Golf Ben Welsh introduced it on the Par-3 course in August as a way to generate business from non-golfers and families with soccer-crazed kids. Will a game that takes less time, less land and less equipment than regular golf catch on? Well, since its 2011 inception in Palm Springs, FootGolf has spread to 215 courses in 38 states, and 25 countries now belong to the FIFG. Ain’t that a kick? afgl.us

23

current and incoming college golfers—including CGA State Stroke Play Champion David Oraee of the University of Colorado and current state high-school champions Kyler Dunkle and Spencer Painton—claim Trent Wearner as their teacher. This brings to 81 the number of collegiate golfers Wearner, who runs his academy out of Meridian Golf Club, has coached during his career. He will receive his second Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year honor in November. trentwearnergolf.com CAG Send Gallery items to jon@coloradoavidgolfer.com

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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Strong to the Hole

CU men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle’s fiery competitiveness bubbles over onto the golf course. By Sam Adams

W

hen Tad Boyle posts a score, you won’t be hardpressed to find it. Sheets of paper with “77-48” adorn the doors and walls within the University of Colorado’s men’s basketball coach’s office. They serve as a motivational reminder of the Buffaloes’ 2013-2014 season-ending NCAA tournament loss to the University of Pittsburgh.

Nothing would please the Buffs’ highly driven 51-year old head coach more than leading Colorado to a Final Four—and a national championship. Going into his fifth season, he’s already taken the Buffs to “the Dance” an unprecedented three consecu-

c o l oradoavi dgol f er. c om

tive times, and his 92-49 coaching record gives him the highest winning percentage (.648) of any coach in the program’s history. The Greeley native also has coached four seasons at the University of Northern Colorado and is 148-115 overall as a Division I coach.

Boyle is a hoops-a-holic, but he will manage to pull away from drawing offensive and defensive sets long enough to play some golf. He competes hard on the links, too. He’s a friendly player who’ll enjoy your company—preferably while walking away the winner.

“I take the game seriously and I want to play well,” Boyle says. “But my expectation

level before I go out has to be realistic. You want to play well, but if you take the game too seriously it’s not fun. You want the guys you’re playing with to have a good time.

“If I’m down on the golf course, I will press to try to get back into the game. I want to be the guy who can go out with someone who shoots in the 70s and feel like I can hang with him—even though I’m not as good. But I also want to be able to play with a guy who shoots 120 and he’s going to feel comfortable too.

“I think that is the people part of golf that’s important, when you learn how to deal with different skill levels and different frustration levels and making people feel Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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p h o t o g r a p h c o u rt e s y o f CU S p o rt s I n f o r m at i o n

“John and I would go out with Jeff, late in the in my hand. I’ve acquired a love for the game and afternoon in Lawrence, Kansas at Alvamar. We’d a respect for the game.” tee it up, have a good time and . . . there may have Boyle casually confirms that he’s broken 80 been an occasional bet. I can’t remember. Golf twice. The first time it happened was at RiverRidge has a way of bringing people together and that’s Golf Complex in Eugene, Oregon, on Aug. 23, what I like about it.”

1996—the day before his wedding to Ann Schell.

Brown owned a home on a golf course. In the He carded another 79 during a CU golf outing at summer, Boyle would house-sit his coach’s two Colorado National Golf Club.

Labradors—and sneak in a few holes before sun“See, he doesn’t tell us he’s broken 80,” says down.

Mark Turgeon, men’s basketball coach at the “Back then I was in the 90s and 100s,” Boyle University of Maryland. “He doesn’t tell us about says. “It was just fun to hit the ball, go find it and breaking 80, then he tries to win the first tee and hit it again. You make a par here or birdie there get more strokes than he deserves. He takes half of and your juices started to flow. It was more of an a backswing and still hits it a mile!” off-season, let’s get away thing.

Boyle has been an assistant on Turgeon’s staffs at “It’s one of those things like most golfers unJacksonville State and Wichita State. Turgeon first derstand; once you start, you catch the bug. But learned of Boyle’s serious side while the two were I was not very good—I’m still not very good. I’ve Jayhawks teammates. taken maybe two or three lessons through the “One thing about Tad is, he’s competitive in evyears. I’m at the point now where I know that it’s erything—basketball, cards . . . he’s driven in everyHOOP SCREAMS: Boyle has made the Buffs contenders. probably what I need to get better at the game. thing,” Turgeon says. “But he’s really good at hidFor me, it becomes a time issue. I just don’t put ing the competitiveness. And always serious. I can comfortable around you.” in the time. remember being a college freshman, wanting to go Boyle taught himself golf while he played for “I always say I have the Allen Iverson approach out to eat pizza late at night and have a good time. basketball coaches Ted Owens and Larry Brown to golf—practice is way overrated. Practice? You’re There’s Tad, in for the night and reading books on at the University of Kansas. “It was more of an offtalkin’ about practice? I’m not going to the range, how to make money.” season getaway. My college roommate (Jeff DishI’m going to the first tee. I might go to the range Boyle was earning a six-figure salary as a stockman) and I would go out and play nine holes or to loosen up, but I’m not going there to work on broker in Boulder in 1994 when he was involved in hit balls. also remember that there was a student- my game. Obviously I know 7/25 that it’s•not the way automobile accident. a red light fileI name: CSG_07.31.14.AVID.7.25x4.875 • release pub: AvidanGolf • size: 7.25AincarXran 4.875 in and assistant on KU’s staff named John Calipari. to get better. But I did not grow up with a golf club smashed head-on into Boyle’s Toyota Camry. The

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driver-side air bag saved Boyle’s life.

To this day Boyle doesn’t remember details about the accident. But he knows it affected his thinking. He left his job as a stockbroker to accept a $16,000 salary at the University of Oregon in 1994. The accident was his calling to college basketball coaching. “Some people are forced, and others have a choice,” Boyle says. “If I had a wife and two kids at the time, I’d never make the move.

But I was single at the time.”

By 1997, Boyle was married and working at Tennessee, where he crossed paths at the athletics’ training table with Volunteers’ quarterback Peyton Manning. In ’98, Turgeon convinced Boyle to move to Jacksonville, Alabama. Two years later the two were together at Wichita State.

Boyle was more than prepared to be a head coach when the opportunity arose for him to return to Greeley in 2006, to coach at Northern Colorado. Boyle, a self-described gym rat as a teenager, was the state’s player of the year in 1981 when he led Greeley Central High to a championship.

The Bears went 4-24 in his first season. Boyle didn’t post “4-24” on the walls and doors inside the basketball office. “But we put up ‘326 out of 326’” Boyle says. “There were 326 Division I teams in college basketball that year. Our RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) at the end of the year was 326th—we literally were the worst team in Division I basketball.”

Three years later Boyle coached UNC into the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

Boyle’s passion for winning started when he was

32

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

a six-year-old kid playing basketball and baseball.

“I loved baseball too. Baseball probably was my favorite sport growing up, but it’s not a sport you can play on your own,” Boyle says. “But my mom never worried about me because I could entertain myself. I had an older brother that I would try to tag along with— and I wouldn’t have been the basketball player I was without him.

“I always say I have the Allen Iverson approach to golf…

Practice? You’re talkin’ about practice? I’m not going to the range; I’m going to the first tee.”

“So I was always playing with and against older kids, getting beat up … there were a lot of tears when I was younger because I didn’t like losing. I wouldn’t say I’m a guy who likes winning as much as I’m a guy who hates losing.”

And that “hates to lose” attitude makes it all the more enjoyable for some to beat Boyle on the golf

course. “We were playing someplace in Colorado,” Turgeon recalls. “I wasn’t having a great round.

But I had a 45-footer to make on the 18th hole. I made it, and he had to write me a check. I don’t believe I’ve cashed it yet.”

Boyle’s success on the basketball court has not gone unnoticed. His name comes up frequently when high-profile Division I basketball jobs become available. CU recently extended Boyle’s contract through April, 2019. On the surface, it appears Boyle is a basketball “lifer.”

“I wish I could agree with that, but I have a timetable,” he admits. “It may change, but I know how I feel right now. Obviously I want to see my three kids get through college. My youngest is 12 now.

In 10 years I’ll be 61, and that’s when I’m going to sit down to re-evaluate. But I don’t see myself coaching into my mid-60s or 70s.

“One of the reasons is, I live in a great part of the country. There are a lot of golf courses in this state I haven’t played. I want to be able to kick back and enjoy life. Now, will I be involved in basketball in some capacity? Absolutely. But will it be as a head coach, with the pressures and time commitments that come with it? I’m not sure of that right now.”

One thing of which Boyle is sure: the only motivational scores the 14 handicap would like to post in the future are those related to golf, not basketball. CAG Contributor Sam Adams is an award-winning journalist and stand-up comedian. Visit him at imlikethebeer.com.

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Flex and the Single Ball Adjusting one foot can equal many yards.

By Steve Beach

N

umerous swing flaws can contribute to a lack of distance. Chief among them is failing to keep flex in the right knee (for right-handed players) during the backswing. This leads to swaying, sliding or rising up—all of which take your swing off-plane, reduce the amount of backswing coil and rob you of dozens of yards in distance.

This easy, at-home practice drill should help. I learned it from my mentor and longtime friend, the late PGA instructor Marshall Smith of Oklahoma, whose philosophy was KISS—Keep It Simple, Stupid. All you need for the drill is a golf ball and a 7- or 8-iron and you’ll see major improvements in both accuracy and additional power in your long games.

P HOTOGRA P H S BY m a r i n a b e ac h

As my longtime student, Brad Rhodes, helps demonstrate, this drill only requires a backswing. No follow-through is necessary.

1. Lift up the toes on your back foot, and place a golf ball under them.

2. Grip a mid-iron and get into the setup position.

3. Slowly take the club back feeling your rear shoulder turn behind your body, positioning the club over your rear shoulder. During the backswing, maintain the flex in your back knee.

4. At the top of the backswing you should feel your torso pivoting over the right heel (for righties) and your body turning into your right hip. (Your torso will naturally turn twice as much as your hips do.)

This will create a better coil for more power at impact and improved accuracy.

PGA Teaching Professional Steve Beach is in his 28th year at Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village. He has also been awarded lifetime Master Instructor status from US Kids Golf. 303-781-0400 x3525; sbeach@glenmoorcc.org.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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training apply to your finances?

By Christian Ravsten

F

lying home the other day, I overheard an interesting conversation between two men in the row behind me. They were triathletes, and as I listened to them compare the merits of certain types of running shoes, bicycles, swimming paraphernalia, conditioning techniques, and dietary considerations, I started to see parallels between athletic triathlons and financial success.

During athletic triathlons, the challenge is to complete three different athletic events—a swim, bike and run—consecutively in the shortest amount of time. Whether it’s a “sprint,” “70.3” or “Ironman” triathlon, competing demands tremendous physical and mental endurance. But perhaps the greatest challenge comes from preparing for the race. Triathletes usually follow a specific training regimen to condition themselves. The preparation involves three main areas: 1. Eating properly.

2. Exercising adequately and appropriately to avoid injury and meet the physical demands.

3. Disciplining the mind to push the body consistently to limits it has

36

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Christian Ravsten is V.P. of Market Analytics at RiskMD, a Centennial-based financial firm specializing in helping business owners reduce taxation, market risk and legal risk. Reach him at 855-448-7463; Christian@YourRiskMD.com.

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i l lu s t r at i o n c o u rt e s y o f i s t o c k p h o t o / g e t t y i m ag e s

The 70.3 Solution Can the principles of triathlon

not previously achieved.

In order to be successful in a triathlon, you have to commit to your short, mid, and long-term goals. You have to avoid the enticements of sleeping in, over-eating or skipping workouts.

There will always be reasons to step out of a training program, but your mental discipline has to be steadfast. Finding a coach or experienced mentor will help you buy the correct equipment, set up appropriate training programs, and learn how to run, bike and swim efficiently.

Achieving financial success requires the same type of mental discipline and physical correlations as training for a triathlon.

For example, in order to be successful financially, there has to be a mental discipline to do certain things on a consistent basis whether you “feel like it” or not. They are: 1. Disciplining yourself to set money aside in appropriate investments on a regular basis.

2. Living below your means and avoiding emotional or frivolous spending.

3. Keeping specific goals in mind on a short, mid, and longterm basis.

Having the mental discipline to stay committed to these principles takes great effort. There will always be other interests or reasons to entice you away from your goals, such as new cars, your kids’ sports, trendy investments, etc. Successful “financial athletes” know better than to give in to these enticements, because once you weaken mentally, it becomes very difficult to get back on track to achieve your goals.

There are also “physical” things you must do to achieve financial success, reducing the risk of failure in your financial triathlon.

Many people overlook or fail to perform these tasks appropriately. They are: 1. Paying as little tax as legally possible.

2. Avoiding steep declines in market corrections.

3. Protecting your wealth from legal issues such as regulatory changes, lawsuits and creditors.

These physical practices help you stay financially efficient and free up capital, which you can use to achieve your goals. You may think you’re doing all the right things to be “financially efficient,” but in reality, a proper financial coach can point out technical inefficiencies and allow you to be better positioned to achieve your goals.

For example, if you are a business owner, when was the last time your financial coach talked to you about setting up a captive insurance company to protect your business? Did your coach explain that there is an additional $1.2 million tax deduction for your business to use with these captive insurance companies? Or, that you can protect your business’s cashflow with these entities?

Or, that you can save millions of dollars from estate taxation with their use? Without the proper coaching, you could be wasting precious dollars.

If you are serious about competing in and achieving financial success, you cannot simply assume you are doing the right thing. You have to know and take the time to inquire, learning the necessary fundamentals and the correct way to eliminate as much risk from your race as possible. Just because your financial triathlon is rigorous doesn’t mean it has to be risky. If you want to replace risk with reward, then now is the time to find the right financial coach. CAG

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The body should have prepared you for what’s to come. Unlike Tesla, which went conventional for the Model S, BMW decided to differentiate co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c om

their new sub brand by making a statement. The i3 looks unlike most anything else on the road— important to many buyers who will drop serious coin to help save Gaia thereby and want to make sure others know it.

The interior is a stunning work in and of itself: seriously architectural in its lines, surfacing and finishes, all of which are fully recycled or sustainable. A few pundits have complained that some of them, including the hemp-reinforced stuff that covers much of the dash and doors, looks downmarket, but most others will recognize that the i3 strikes just the right note of high-tech chutzpah; it is also a thankful relief from the same-same design and material ethos of many luxury vehicles.

Space is used very well; the i3 is short and very upright—perfect for a city car. The seating position and view out is much like a crossover’s, and four people can fit comfortably. The only miscue is that the driver’s flat screen panel uses little of its available surface area for the displays of range, battery power and the like.

The i3 comes as a full EV or with a rangeextended 2-cylinder engine (which never powers the wheels directly), taking the battery-only range from 80-100 miles to a total of about 150. It’s hard to imagine Denver residents being content to go electric-only; the ability to run farther across Colorado makes the plug-in hybrid nature of the range extended model more desirable.

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

39

sideBets

ELECTRIC RIDE: The perfect city car.

past surprised traffic with ease.

Things taper off a bit at higher speeds, but even on the Interstate this feels like a BMW: stable and surefooted, locked onto the horizon. The most unusual dynamic trait is the battery regeneration action, which means that (especially at lower speeds) lifting off the accelerator causes rather dramatic slowing, as if you’ve tapped the brake.

The ride is well damped and on the firm side.

The structure itself is of carbon fiber—BMW pioneered new production methods to utilize it for

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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P h o t o g r a p h c o u rt e s y o f BMW

In many ways the i3 drives like other BMWs: the controls have a proper, consistent weighting; the gear selector “snicks” into place with a precision feel and steering directness is first-rate.

In other areas it is a radical departure. First there is the lack of noise; only long experience of other EVs will prepare you for the way it whisks off with nary a sound. Even on the highway wind and road noise are commendably restrained. The i3 is properly quick too; the zero-lag nature of the electric propulsion sees to that, and you can blast

the so-called “Life Module,” which sits atop a skateboard-like aluminum “Drive Module” that includes 450 pounds of lithium ion batteries, rated at 22kWh of juice. If equipped with the 650cc, 34hp range extender, the i3 still only weighs about 2900 pounds; much lighter than a Nissan Leaf—which has no gasoline engine.

The rigid structure means helps ensure it handles like a BMW, with quick turn-in, little or no roll, and a very fun handling balance, right up to the low limit of its very tall, narrow tires. As mentioned, it is snappy too, with 0-60 projected to be tagged in less than seven seconds.

The i3 is of course an EV first, though, and in performance, price and range it fits somewhere between the Nissan and the Tesla. It is more advanced than them in many ways—the carbon structure and cloud-based navi/EV routing being but two examples—and carries the panache of the BMW badge, along with the assurance that its manufacturer will be around for the long run. If people begin to embrace electric vehicles in a big way, competitors should be worried.

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sideBets REDLINER: The quick BMW M235i

Price as tested: $46,025 EPA ratings: 22/32 mpg; 25mpg combined The new M Performance line, starting with the M235i, is the beginning of an “Ultimate Driving Machine” category that slots between the M Sport trim available on most BMWs and “real” M cars like the M3. While the M235i is available in all-wheel drive and with a manual transmission, the test vehicle was

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

rear drive with the no-cost 8-speed automatic gearbox. It offers almost all the straight line performance of the outgoing M3: 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and a quarter mile of 12.9 seconds at a speed of 109mph.

The engine responsible for such a feat is a lightly tweaked version of the family N55 inline turbo six, with ratings of 320hp and 330lb-ft of torque. The ZF tranny plays a role here too, with an ultra short first gear, launch control, full manual override and whip-crack shifts that make the idea of a stick shift seem silly.

BMW has upgraded the hardware underneath to cope with such speed. Beefy fixed-piston brakes

Read more of Isaac Bouchard’s writing at nicedrivz.com.

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P h o t o g r a p h c o u rt e s y o f BMW

2014 BMW M235i

haul the M235i down as prodigiously as it flashes into license-losing territory, and its springs and antiroll bars are stiffer. The superbly calibrated, variable Adaptive M Sport dampers are awesome: in Comfort the ride is firm but compliant and in full-tilt Sport+ it is starchy enough to eliminate almost all dive, squat and roll.

The variable steering isn’t quite so successful.

While the super-fast ratio makes it easy to take any corner without moving your hands from 3 and 9 o’clock, it offers no feel whatsoever, making it very difficult to judge how much grip remains from the narrow, 225-section front tires.

As it is, the M235i makes a much better fast daily driver than a true do-all, track/autocross star—which is all most drivers will ever want or need. And, this is the best sounding N55-powered BMW ever. So sweetly suggestive is the tune it plays that it elicits gooseflesh from anyone with a drop of gasoline in their veins.

As far as comfort and aesthetics, the BMW appears well equipped for its mission; its frontal aspect is perhaps the best of the company’s current lineup, and its overall shape evokes the classic 2002s of the 1970s. Inside materials are of high quality and there is lots of standard equipment. While lacking in that last ration of driver interaction and polish, the M235i represents a fun alternative to American muscle cars in its juvenile delinquent demeanor and stout straight-line performance. CAG

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Course Proud

by David Duval

A

s a member of both Cherry Hills and the PGA Tour, I think the players are really going to enjoy competing at the BMW Championship. Most of us love playing the old-school

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

courses that aren’t spread out over hundreds of acres. It’s far more intimate.

Cherry will play fairly short, but it’s a chess-type golf course. You have to move your ball to positions to score well. I hope the golf course plays firm and fast. I know that’s how Superintendent Mike Burke and his staff would like it. That will make it harder for the big hitters to keep it in the fairway—especially on holes 4, 5, 10, 14 and 16—so you’ll see a lot of guys playing down with long irons off the tee, playing into the routing of the course and not trying to overpower it.

Actually, if the PGA Tour will let them, I hope Mike and his crew get it brick-hard, so

the ball will roll and run. I also hope we don’t get a lot of rain because a juicy fairway without roll widens the driving area considerably.

I don’t think anyone’s ever shot better than 10-under for a four-day championship at Cherry. The only way to do that is to stay out of the rough. Even though it’ll be shorter than it would be for a USGA event, ours is some of the toughest stuff I’ve ever played out of. The ball sinks right to bottom even though it’s not very deep, and with all the rain we’ve had this summer, it’s thicker and grabbier than ever.

Most of the holes allow for a variety of approaches. Just about everyone’s going to coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

drive the green on the 346-yard first, but I don’t think too many will try that on the 333-yard third. Some guys might go with a 3-wood up the gap on the left, but most will lay up. Even so, that green is tough to hit with a wedge. And you don’t want to be in that front bunker.

Of the par-3s, I think No. 8, at 276 yards, will be very tough. Depending on the wind, you might see a 3-wood. At a little over 200 yards over water, No. 12 can be trouble for anyone going for the pin. The play is to hit it 30 yards past the hole.

Coming into the 555-yard 17th, some of the longer hitters will try getting on the isco l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

land green in two by carrying both sets of cross-bunkers. But that hole sets up beautifully for a chip onto the green, and when a birdie chance like that presents itself, you take it.

And then there’s the 18th. At 477 yards, it’s not the toughest hole ever—unless you need a three or four to win. To take the lake out of play, you usually can hit it at the hill to the right and let it roll down. But for this event, the height of grass on the hill won’t allow that. So I don’t see a lot of drivers; more like driving iron or 3-wood, then a mid-iron into the elevated green.

Will the course set up for any particular

player? I don’t buy into that. It’s all about who’s on form. You’re telling me Rory’s game doesn’t travel well? Or Rickie’s? Or Phil’s—at least if he shows up like he did at the PGA Championship?

And I’d have obviously loved to have competed on my home course. Going into the Wyndham, the last event before the first FedEx Cup playoff event, I was about 350 points from qualifying for the FedEx. I think I had to win to get in. I felt great, but my 1-under 139 came up one shy of making the cut.

Former World No. 1 David Duval has won 13 PGA Tour events, including the 2001 Open Championship.

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

45

INTRODUCTION

If You Knew Cherry Like I Know Cherry

By Andy North

I

have exceptional

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H C O U RT E S Y O F U S G A

memories of Cherry Hills. Winning the U.S. Open there in 1978 was such an extraordinary week of my life. Not only did I win. I won at the place where Arnold Palmer, one of my heroes, had made history at the same event in 1960.

Palmer was also in the field in 1978. So were Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. When you get a real-life opportunity to play against your heroes—and play well—that’s really special. I took the lead the second day and was paired with Nicklaus on Saturday and Player on Sunday. On each day, I finished three strokes ahead of them.

That Open represented the next step in my career. The previous year, I’d won the Westchester Classic, and I’d had a couple of runner-up finishes earlier that season. I was very comfortable. My mentality fit the open really well. I didn’t mind making pars, shooting away from pins, scraping around. And that gave me a great advantage.

I remember the 72nd hole—a water carry then uphill to the green—and how I was twoover to that point, having my toughest round of the tournament. Yet I was two shots clear of Dave Stockton and J.C. Snead. So I knew I could play the hole conservatively and still win.

The BMW is a PGA Tour event, not a USGA championship. My one-over-par 285 was strong enough to win the U.S. Open, but any player posting that score at Cherry Hills in this year’s BMW Championship will probably not finish in the top 30—the cut to advance to East Lake and the Tour Championship the following week.

Cherry Hills is a much different course today than it was in 1978 and in 1985, when I competed in the PGA Championship there

shortly after winning my second with the way they train now.

U.S. Open. The 2009 restoration Denver holds a special place in my heart added challenge to an already chal- because of the 1978 U.S. Open and so does lenging course. I got to experience the Western Open, the pre-FedEx Cup name this first-hand because the club was of the BMW Championship. I grew up in kind enough to make me an honor- the Midwest, won the Western Amateur in ary member, and I’ve played in its 1971 and played every year in the Western Smith-Cole Invitational the last two Open when it was at Butler National. I think years. the PGA Tour should have an annual event As a player, I can’t say I love the in Chicago. Just like it should have an annual cross-bunkers on 17, and I think the one in Denver. bunkers fronting 18 green are ridiculously deep. But I understand the rationale behind them.

Overall, the changes are spectacular, and it intrigues me to see how the old course, which will play at a par 70 and 7,350 yards, holds up, especially when you see how far today’s players hit the ball.

Yet I’m not sure length gives you as much of an advantage here—especially if the course plays as firm as it did in last year’s Smith-Cole. If it does, the players who always hit driver off the tee are going to have a tough time. They can easily drive the new green on No. 3, but can they hold it? It all comes down to firmness and speed. If the course plays firm, NORTH STARS: The 1978 U.S. Open look for plenty of long champion at Cherry Hills. irons off the tee.

Most of these players haven’t played Cherry Hills, and that might affect them more than the altitude, which I Two-time U.S. Open winner Andy North has don’t think will play as big a role as people defined ESPN's championship golf coverage for think it will. You have to realize that guys at more than 20 years. He serves as both an analyst this level adjust awfully well. They go from and a reporter, bringing to bear his two decades different grasses—poa one week, bermuda of experience on the PGA Tour, which includes the next and bent the next—and from seaside three victories and participation in the 1978 courses to desert courses all the time. Adapt- World Cup and 1985 Ryder Cup. While at the ing is a big part of being professional. I doubt University of Florida, North won the 1971 Westcoming from sea level at the Deutsche Bank ern Amateur championship, administered by the Championship in Boston to a mile high for Western Golf Association, which also runs the the BMW will affect them much, especially BMW Championship.

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WHOm TO WATCH

30 for 30

Zach Johnson

Defending BMW champ throws enough darts to be in Sunday’s featured group.

Jimmy Walker

Win would put a cherry on the breakout season for season-long FedEx Cup points leader.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

His explosive resurgence to dominance makes him the favorite.

Sergio Garcia

Playing with more maturity and consistency than ever. But can he beat Rory?

Jordan Spieth

If he can keep it in the fairway, he’ll be in one of the last groups on Sunday.

Patrick Reed

The three-time Tour winner says he’s among the world’s best. Does anyone else?

Chris Kirk

A worthy grinder who has only missed one cut going into the PGA Championship.

Brendon Todd

Strong putter and scrambler who can go low—but seldom in four straight rounds.

Martin Kaymer

He put on a clinic at Pinehurst at the U.S. Open. Cherry lays out similarly.

Rickie Fowler

With top fives in each of this year’s majors, he appears to be peaking at just the right time.

Bubba Watson

Look for 340-yard drives, but he won’t need them on half the holes.

Jim Furyk

Shot a 59 at last year’s BMW. Scrambling skills will help at Cherry.

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P hotos by S a m G ree n w oo d a n d G regory S ha m us / G etty I m ages

Press time arrived before the field of 70 shook out for the penultimate FedEx Cup Playoff event. Here are 30 players who could move onto the Tour Championship the following week.

Rory McIlroy

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Kevin Stadler

Kent Denver product has hometown advantage, but has seldom played Cherry Hills.

Jason Day

Long-driving, likeable Aussie always gets up for big events like this.

Hideki Matsuyama

Even Adam Scott admires the 22-year-old Memorial winner’s game.

Adam Scott

Matt Kuchar

Kevin Na

Graeme McDowell

Lowest scoring average on Tour. Eats up Par 4s (T3 on Tour) and Par 5s (1).

Likeable groomsman who rarely plays the groom. Lock for a top 10.

Golf ’s “other” Northern Irishman has one of the Tour’s lowest scoring averages.

Justin Rose

A strong summer has the Englishman poised for a run at the Wadley.

Phil Mickelson

Lefty’s late surge put him on the Ryder team and in the FedEx conversation.

Ryan Moore

Every week he keeps climbing up the leaderboard; how high will he go?

Bill Haas

2011 FedEx Cup champ excels from the sand and trouble.

Webb Simpson

Won the first event of the wraparound season. Short game keeps him in mix.

Harris English

Plays worse on Saturdays (71.44 scoring average) than on other days (69.91).

Keegan Bradley

Finishing higher every week, he should be in the hunt come Sunday.

Marc Leishman

No wins this year, but primed for one after numerous top 10 finishes.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Brandt Snedeker Henrik Stenson

Playing better than record indicates.

Caught fire last year to win FedEx Cup.

2012 FedEx Cup winner is clawing back into form. Watch him putt at Cherry.

Charl Schwartzel

2011 Masters champion has serious scrambling skills.

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P hotos by S a m G ree n w oo d , G regory S ha m us , sta n b a d z a n d chris co n d o n / G etty I m ages

Has recovered from back injury to show flashes of brilliance this year.

WHERE TO WATCH

A

sk anyone who’s attended a championship there:

Cherry Hills is a great gallery course. The elevation changes create great sightlines, and the short distances between greens and tees and between front- and back-nine holes make it easy to move from group to group. There’ll be players everywhere, especially with no cut and groups finishing on Nos. 9 and 18 all four days.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Access to the sponsor hospitality areas (Skyboxes, Chalets, Pavilions) near holes 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 is restricted to hosts and their guests. Showing a BMW key fob will unlock entry into the BMW Owner’s Pavilion behind greens 7 and 14.

Open Seating Free spectator seating is available to all on a firstcome, first-served basis at the Driving Range, 1st Tee, 8th Green, 9th Tee, 9th Green, 10th Tee, 16th Tee, 16th Green, 17th Green, 18th Tee, and 18th Green. coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

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WHERE TO WATCH

Pick Your Spots

14 Fairway

Hole 1

As it did for the 2012 U.S. Amateur, Cherry Hills has extended the height of the driving-range fence from 60 to 90 feet to protect traffic on University Blvd.

Watching Bubba and the boys hit (or possibly clear) the netting is an unforgettable experience, but so is seeing them hit 20 consecutive 7-irons within a foot of each other.

when he heroically drove the green to ignite his victorious charge. Fifty-four years later, every player in the field can get there—or beyond.

3 Tee Or Green

This drivable Par 4 presents an early eagle opportunity, but big trouble lurks left and long. Look for a wide range of strategies and club selections. The green is steps away from the 16th green and the fairway cross-bunkers on the par-5 17th.

Behind 4 Green

Organizers of the event call this busy area the “mousetrap,” but in the words of Cherry Hills Head PGA Professional John Ogden, this is the best place on the course to position yourself.

“You can watch tee shots on 5, 9, 11 and 16, along with shots into the green on 4 and 8.”

16 Green

You can toggle between this severely sloping, angled green and the course’s only rebuilt green on the drivable No. 3.

17 Tee, Fairway or Green

18

Nab a seat in the stands behind either the teeing area or green.

That’s easier said than done, of course, as patrons will crowd what is arguably one of championship golf ’s most challenging finishers. How much of the lake left of the fairway will players try to carry? Sitting in the deep rough near the first landing area can get you a good view of the elevated green. So can squeezing in among the throngs ringing the putting surface, ready to erupt when the winning shot drops.

Risk and reward define every shot on this classic 555-yard Par 5, making any spot a prime viewing location. With two sets of fairway cross-bunkers lurking 330 and 405 yards out, players off the tee need to decide whether to lay up, land the 70-yard space between sands or bomb it past both sets.

An island green awaits.

Who’ll go for it in two?

Who’ll lay up? Can the 17th Green risk-takers land a long

12 Tee

1 Tee

The excitement of hearing players’ names announced pales in comparison to watching them repeat the feat of Arnold Palmer in the 1960 U.S. Open,

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Similar to the water-fronted par-3 4th on Broadmoor East, this is a picturesque, penal and potentially pivotal hole. A front left pin placement could result in some balls spinning back into the drink, while hitting the breaking green may not yield birdie or even par.

18th Green

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H S BY R O B B R O WN ( 17 T H G R E E N ) A ND J E R E M Y C A N TA L A M E S S A

The Driving Range

There’s plenty of shade and water running alongside the landing area on one of Cherry Hills’ two 500-plus-yard Par 4s (the 526-yard 5th is the other).

Watch players try hitting the green with a mid-iron off a downhill lie.

iron or hybrid softly enough to hold the green with their second shots? And will “safe” players who’ve lain up get too fancy—à la Ben Hogan in 1960—and wind up in the water?

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HOW TO WATCH

WHERE & WHEN

Cherry Hills Country Club • 4125 S. University Blvd. (bet. Hampden & Quincy) • Cherry Hills Village Tuesday, Sept. 2 6:30 a.m. Gates open: 8:00* Professional Practice Rounds

Wednesday, Sept. 3 6:30 a.m. Gates Open: Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am 7:00* First A.M. Tee Time: 12:10* First P.M. Tee Time:

Thursday, Sept. 4 10:00 a.m. Gates open: BMW Championship Round 1 11:15 * First Tee Time:

Friday, Sept. 5 10:00 Gates open BMW Championship Round 2 11:15* First Tee Time:

Saturday, Sept. 6 8:00 a.m. Gates open: BMW Championship Round 3 9:00* First Tee Time

Sunday, Sept.7 8:00 a.m. Gates open BMW Championship Final Round 9:00* First Tee Time 4:00 Awards Ceremony:

*All rounds begin on Holes 1 and 10.

GETTING THERE

L

eave yourself

plenty of time, as the transportation logistics have become more complicated than they were in 2005, when the club hosted the U.S. Women’s Open.

Where to Park?

Two words: Nowhere close. All non-BMW drivers must park south of Dry Creek Road at 1 Highfield Parkway in Englewood. Shuttles will cover the nine-mile route all day. If you drive a BMW, however, then you have free access to the BMW Owner’s Lot at 6145 Happy Canyon Road, 3½ miles east of Cherry Hills. Shuttles will run all day.

Other Options?

LIGHT RAIL Complimentary shuttles will run from the Belleview Light Rail Station north of Belleview on Quebec Street. Vehicles can also drop off ticketholders there, but cannot stop or stand. And there is no patron parking allowed at the station.

WALK/BIKE Pedestrians and bicyclists both enter through the main entrance. Bicyclists have two options to lock up their bikes: those coming from the north can park by the Par-3 Course

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

at the northwest corner of Cherry Hills Drive and University Boulevard; those coming from the south can park at the northwest corner of Quincy Avenue and University Boulevard.

BUS RTD bus routes 24 (University Blvd.) and 35 (Hampden Ave.) put you walking distance from the Main Entrance. Visit RTD-Denver.com for schedules and maps.

TAXI, ÜBER, LIMO All hired cars must drop passengers ½ mile south of Cherry Hills at St. Mary’s Academy (4545 South University). Spectators then walk to the club’s Main Entrance. Departing spectators may only load at St. Mary’s.

You cannot have someone drop you off at Cherry Hills or St. Mary’s.

Double Dip!

The BMW knows Denver loves its Broncos and one of the reasons for Sunday’s early start is to give fans enough time to catch the team’s home opener September 7 at 6:30 versus the Indianapolis Colts. If you have tickets for the game, why not leave the car at Sports Authority Field Sunday morning, then take the light rail down and back again after the BMW ends? Fans of the Rockies can enjoy a similar double-header at Coors Field Friday and Saturday. The home team plays San Diego.

AT THE EVENT TUNE IN Keeping track of all the action at a PGA Tour championship is a bit like going to a baseball game and only being able to see the rightfielder. For $10, you can get a PGA Tour radio earpiece at any concession stand.

Keep it for the entire tournament.

Proceeds go directly to the Evans Scholars Foundation.

TROPHY LIFE Named after the tournament’s historic trophy, the all-inclusive Wadley Club ticket allows access to the hospitality tent located on the 15th hole and guarantees premier views, comfortable seating with food and drink service. Day tickets cost $250 for Thursday or Friday and $300 for Saturday or Sunday.

to make or accept calls can go to one of seven designated areas on the course. Digital messaging and checking data is allowed throughout the premises.

LEAVE THE SHOTS TO THE GOLFERS Use of cameras, including those on mobile devices, is allowed only during Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s practice rounds, but not during the tournament. All video recording is verboten. “We will have a mobiledevice task force assigned to the more popular groups,” says Douglas Habgood, senior VP of the Bruno Event Team, which handles all onsite operations. “You do not want them catching you.” And if you can’t resist sneaking a selfie, make sure that “shutter sound” is off.

LIFT A GLASS

BRING IT, DON’T RING IT

Rumors that Arnold Palmers would be served near the Palmer tee on the first hole have gone unsubstantiated. However, BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works, and what could be more Bavarian than a Biergarten between holes 1 and 2 and right behind the BMW Pavilion on 18? A video board displays live tournament coverage and a scoreboard updates the leaderboard.

Drink and watch golf on TV? Makes you feel right at home.

The tournament allows cellphones but they must have volume set to silent or vibrate while at the championship. Fans needing

For more information and details on the BMW Championship, please visit bmwchampionshipusa.com.

BEAM YOURSELF UP Not only does BMW treat its automobile owners to their own parking lot, it allows them to show their key for access to their own pavilion between holes 7 and 14. Food, drink, air-conditioning and remarkable views and service all come standard.

Almost makes you want to borrow your friend’s car—or at least his keys.

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

FAREWAYS

BOTTLE-CELLI: Undici’s Renaissance-inspired bar.

AprÈsGolf

After watching 18 holes, fill your piehole at one of these eateries near Cherry Hills. By Gary James

C

herry Hills Country Club has enough cherry trees to provide for a season’s worth of pies, shakes and sauces. Too bad you have to be a member to enjoy them. So for this year’s BMW Championship, I went on a quest for good eats outside the gates. After all, you can work up a healthy appetite watching championship golf.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

UNDICI RISTORANTE

I landed at Undici Ristorante on Old Hampden & Downing. Owner Alex Kallas is part of a family empire of restaurants. In Italian, “Undici” means eleven. His brothers Peter and Kosta run Steakhouse 10, and the nearby Greeks Gone Wild counts as 12. What happened to the first nine restaurants?

Alex assured me they existed, but I think it’s more impressive if they simply started in double figures.

The Kallases hail from Kalamata, Greece. Why did Alex choose to open an Italian eatery? He had a talented chef to bet on—Cristian Burciaga was working for someone else when Alex told him he’d back him if he ever became available. He did. Bada-boom.

Now Undici provides a transformative neighborhood dining experience. Step inside and you’re instantly seduced by the sleek, attractive décor, the atmosphere provided by tasteful, understated art and an elegantly minimalist waterwall feature. You

feel relaxed and welcome as you sit down to eat gourmet Italian fare.

A recent lunch visit started with insalate—the Maddalena di Gambererri featured a mix of greens with shrimp and white beans, dressed with shaved parmesan. The Battuta di Pollo alla erbe aromatiche e aceto balsamico—a chicken paillard—made for a perfect presentation, with the boneless, skinless breast pounded thin and grilled, then hidden under a tower of seasonal vegetables and crispy, firm polenta cakes that had been briefly fried until golden on the outside, and seasoned with herbs and balsamic vinegar.

The house pasta was Rigatoni Undici, the tubeshaped pasta wide enough to capture homemade sausage, pancetta and fresh tomatoes. The Cannelloni di Verdura e Ricotta was another winning dish, the cylinders baked with a filling of mouthwatering specialty cheeses and fresh veggies with the right cover of sauce.

For dessert, the fluffy Limoncello Cake was perfectly moist, topped with white chocolate shavings for the ideal amount of sweetness. Mamma mia!

I’m now the Nigel Tufnel of foodies. “If we need coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

IN FOR A POUND: Undici’s Battuta di Pollo.

that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do? Put it up to Undici.”

1200 E. Hampden Ave.; 303-761-2828; undicidenver.com

THE SOUTH RESTAURANT

When one of the local beat writers for the Denver Broncos recently proclaimed Louis Vasquez as the team’s first All-Pro at the offensive guard posi-

co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

tion, this fan took issue.

In the American Football League days, the Broncos weren’t very good, but when the local Coca-Cola bottling plant stamped the likenesses of players inside the bottle caps, I rode my bike to every gas station in Arvada to fish them out of vending machines with STURM FIELD: Even The South’s a magnet to support my sconces reflect the owner’s presence. favorite 4-10 squad. So I remember what a big deal it was when guard Jerry Sturm got selected to play fake the kick and take off running...without letting the team or coaching staff know). Hey, don’t forin two AFL Pro Bowls. get Billy Joe, the fullback from Villanova afflicted In the 1960s, everything in Denver went through the prism of Chicano culture, so it’s not surpris- with bunions (back then I figured they were a snack food). ing that Jerry developed an appreciation for good There are enough TVs and sports paraphernalia Mexican cuisine. He procured some authentic for the South to qualify as a sports bar, but it has the recipes and opened the South Restaurant in Englewood—and has been there for 48 years with his wife vibe of a sit-down restaurant and lounge. The décor is “Jerry-rigged”—tricked out in his memorabilia and Deb (they’ve also launched Zi South in Denver’s ballpark neighborhood with son Brett, who played trophies (including a member-guest winner in the 1971 Lakewood Country Club golf tournament), defensive back at San Diego State). even customized wall sconces (my favorite is the Walking into the South is like hanging out in my one with Jerry in classic pulling-guard pose). bedroom when I was twelve. The hallway entrance I worship at this shrine to my childhood, but is festooned with AFL trading cards and Broncos official team photos from the earliest days of the food took precedence on my most recent visit. The franchise. Look, there’s Bob Scarpitto, the flanker South has long been the “home of the Quesorito.” Taco Bell has introduced its new “Quesarito” who doubled as the team’s punter (“Scraps” would

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1426_KSGLF

WRAPTURE: The South’s Quesortio

concoction, but gringos, don’t be confused—“quesa” is the tip that it’s a quesadilla-wrapped burrito. (It strikes me—I’m glad that a soft drink rather than Taco Bell affiliated with the Broncos defense; otherwise the Orange Crush might have been known as the Orange Goo.) The South’s Quesorito puts the emphasis on the “queso,” or cheese—fresh ground beef with a savory seasoning, rolled in a flour tortilla with cheese, lettuce and

®

tomatoes and smothered with more cheese and a special sauce (that has always remained a secret) and baked. It’s more delicious than intimidating, and like Mom always said, never eat anything bigger than a football.

But then there’s Brett’s Queso Burrito, another favored specialty, a grande burrito stuffed with marinated fajita steak or chicken, Spanish rice, black beans, sautéed sweet onions and spicy con queso dip, smothered with melted cheddar cheese and topped with red and green chile so it’s Christmas all the time.

A key to the South’s longevity has been quality ingredients and fresh flavorful sauces for the masses, but know that the heat can be added for painseekers. Behind the bar, Bryn recommends the White Enchilada platter—two white cheese enchiladas smothered with green and loaded with Monterey Jack cheese. The restaurant nails American cuisine as well—server Sarah swears by the Deluxe Hamburger.

Low staff turnover is another hallmark, and I must say, I dig the old jock in Jerry—he obviously values customer service in a welcoming atmosphere, but refuses service to people wearing tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Have a little respect, you punks!

3535 S. Huron St.; 303-789-9833; thesouthrestaurant.com

BEIRUT GRILL

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Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado, Olathe (O-lay-thuh) is home to blue skies, pure water and one of nature’s true delights…delicious Olathe Sweet™ Sweet Corn. Each ear is hand-picked and immediately put on ice to ensure tenderness and freshness… so you can be sure you’re biting into one of the sweetest varieties of corn in the country!

As conflicts in the Middle East escalate, I find peace in eating at Beirut Grill. Located in the corner of a strip mall, the restaurant does a robust weekday business due to the plethora of medical buildings in the area, but it was nearly empty when I visited on a Saturday night—a prime opportunity for a singular dining experience. The atmosphere was simple and clean, the staff sweet and appreciative, and the food truly wondrous.

The temptation was to make a meal of the appetizers. Stuffing vegetable leaves or vines is common in many cuisines, and certainly Middle Eastern.

The Grape Leaves were delicious, but the Cabbage Leaves were flat-out awesome—stuffed with rice, ground meat, lots of garlic and some flair from herbs and allspice. The Tabouleh was a magical combination of nutty bulgur mixed with tomatoes and green onions with lots of fresh parsley, olive oil, lemon juice and salt—one of those dishes that,

RWED01

America’s sweet, sweet corn…locally grown.

MIDDLE EATS: Beirut’s Lamb Shank 620_R_1426_RWED01_KSGLF.indd 1

7/24/14 1:24 PM

Wednesday 07/30 Avid_Golfer 1426_KSGLF AvidGolfer | Fall 2014 64 Colorado

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ers’ Greek heritage—it’s battered cheese that is fried to a golden brown, and then presented tableside in a brandy flambe.

Steakhouse 10 uses Sterling aged meat for their quality steaks, served with all the trimmings. Consider the Gangster Steak—a seasoned New York strip that’s charbroiled and topped with sautéed peppers, onions, mushrooms and kalamata olives that have been deglazed with cognac. Fuhgedabowdit!

3517 S. Elati St.; 303-789-0911; steakhouse10.com

Bistro King This is the go-to place for Asian cuisine in the Englewood area. A Chinese, Thai and Sushi restaurant, it proffers a menu that rates as a short book, with a long list of classic dishes (they make a mean Sesame Chicken) and specialties from Red Curry and Scallops to Panang Chicken. Long live the king.

3542 S. Fox St.; 303-781-9898; bistrokingenglewood.com

Read more of Boulder-based writer Gary James’ food writing at coloradavidgolfer.com.

WHAT ABOUT KEBAB?: Beirut’s lamb comes off-skewer.

for a fleeting moment, had me thinking I could be a vegetarian. Baba Ghanoush was redolent with roasted eggplant, and the Homos (Beirut’s alternative spelling of hummus) was smooth and creamy—cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with garlic, tahini, garlic, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice.

All arrived with warm pita, and I slathered on the dips. Pita is actually a very straightforward bread dough: water, flour, yeast, salt. When heat hits the water and yeast, the former turns to steam and the latter becomes hyperactive, a dual action that forces the thin-rolled dough to separate and puff. How they make the pita bread so remarkably thin and pillowy at Beirut Grill is a marvel. Rolling the dough to a wisp? Using a higher-temperature oven? Letting the dough stand? Can’t talk, eating...

All of the entrees were hot and fresh, served up in generous portions. Loved the Chicken Schwarma, tender bits of skewered chicken broiled on rotisserie and thinly sliced. The juicy Lamb Shank was one of the tastiest dishes, having stood up to long braising until it was “fall off the bone” soft, served with saffron rice and vegetables for an incredible and exotic blend of flavors.

But if you believe, as I do, that quantity is quality, go big with the Vegetarian Combo (falafel, homos, baba ghanouj, tabouleh, fatoush salad, grape leaves and rice) or the Meat Combo (chicken, kafta, lamb and beef kebabs and schwarma, plus homos, rice, salad, cucumber, yogurt sauces and pitas). Or the King Combo—a combination of both veggie and meat combos. Had I polished it off alone, though, the coroner would have ruled it a homos side.

203 W. Hampden Ave.; 303-781-0808; beirut.com

If you think shorter means easier, consider this your invitation.

ALSO FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Steakhouse 10 Owned by members of the same Kallas family that owns Undici is an unpretentious steakhouse with a retro dark and cozy ambience. Ask the super-friendly wait staff for seating in the Alibi Room upstairs to bask in some Rat Pack décor. Don’t resist the saganaki appetizer, which reflects the ownco l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

Challenging, links-style course where your only views are of mountain and sky.

11500 W. Hampden Ave., Lakewood | 720.963.5181 |

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C

Caddies, many would think, are relics from the days of wooden shafts and balata balls. Save for the bag-toters on the pro tours, they’re a vanishing breed— rendered virtually extinct by golf carts.

Well, caddying is enjoying a revival. And Colorado is leading the charge, thanks to the shared passion of two former caddies— highly successful Denver oil and gas entrepreneur George Solich and Colorado Golf Association executive director Ed Mate.

Today more than 600 caddies—about a quarter of them adult professionals—work in thriving caddie programs at about 20 Colorado courses, mostly private clubs. More than 26,000 caddie-rounds—called “loops”—were recorded at these clubs in 2013. And all three numbers are increasing.

“Promoting caddie programs is a major priority for the CGA,” Mate says. “We believe it is one of the best traditions of the game.”

Solich, whom Mate praises for seeding the Colorado Golf Foundation with a $2 million gift that infuses the caddie effort with energy and momentum, declares: “We’re committed to ensuring that the tradition of the co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

caddie lives way beyond my life, and our kids’ lives. It’s that good of a tradition.”

Mate acknowledges that the golf cart changed the face of golf, and he realizes a caddie comeback can go only so far. Still, he and Solich make compelling arguments for a revival effort.

“Golf course architecture has changed,” Mate begins, listing the drivers of cart golf. “Real estate and golf courses are a match made in heaven. Cart rentals have become a major source of revenue for golf courses. And many players prefer to ride, or because of physical limitations, have no choice.”

This modern progress, though, comes at a price. “Carts have diminished the social aspect of golf,” he says, and to support his point, tells the story of a round he played with a CGA Board member.

“We got to the fourth green, and I told him all the things I knew about him,” Mate says, “and he was surprised. I said, ‘Do you know why I know so much about you?’ I told him it was because we were walking, and we talked as we walked.”

The more ominous consequence is reflected in numerous reports over the last several years. As recently as July 24, The Wall Street Journal reported that golf participation, the percentage of the population that played at least once in the past year, dropped for the fifth straight year—down 13 percent during that time in the 18-34 age group, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

The economic recession is a factor, for sure, but Mate argues a more fundamental cause.

“Caddying was the way golf passed to the next generation,” he says. “When we eliminated some 90 percent-plus of the caddie programs in the United States between 1980 and 2000, literally millions of kids were not exposed to golf.

“Unfortunately, as we became cart-revenue junkies, the industry didn’t realize it was creating a hole in participation that would take a generation to appear. It has created a very tough marketing task because those kids are now adults, and the widespread re-institution of caddie programs is economically unlikely—and would only be a long-term remedy.”

Two companies, E-Z-GO and Club Car, control about 80 percent of the market. Ironically, both are located in Augusta, Georgia, home of the most tradition-rich tournament in the U.S., The Masters.

Industry studies peg cart usage at roughly two-thirds of all rounds played, and the number of carts in use at America’s 16,000 courses at around two million. In 1955, the year after brothers Billy and Bev Dolan founded E-Z-GO, 40 percent of the nation’s golf courses had carts available. Only 12 years later, 92 percent had them. Today? Try finding a course without them.

“The great clubs you can think of in the country all have great caddie programs,” Solich contends. “On a day-to-day basis, whether you’re at a public golf

“even if caddying doesn’t lead to a career in golf, it provides many life less ons.”

– ben crenshaw, two-time masters champion course or a private club, taking a caddie is such a better experience. When you hop in a golf cart, you tend to make conversation mainly with the guy in your golf cart, but when you walk in a foursome with caddies, the social interaction of that group is far better. Personally, I seem to play better when I walk and have the opportunity to have a little distance between one shot and the next, and not race up there and hit it again.”

GEORGE SOLICH is a member at Cherry Hills Country Club, Castle Pines Golf Club and The Broadmoor Golf Club. Not coincidentally, all three have vibrant caddie programs.

“I probably play about 50 times a year,” he says. “And I take a caddie 99 percent of the time. Everybody who knows me and plays golf knows if they ask me to be in a foursome, it’s going to be a walking day.

“It gets back to the root that I absolutely believe we need to ensure that this tradition of the Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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George Solich

game continues on, that the golf cart doesn’t extinguish what I consider to be one of the great traditions of the game. As we continue to pursue finding candidates for the Evans Scholarships, the most important piece of that is that we continue to have thriving caddie programs throughout the state of Colorado, and actually, throughout the country.”

The centerpiece of this effort locally is the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy, located

at the CGA-owned CommonGround Golf Course, formerly site of the Air Force officers course on the old Lowry Base at Havana Street and First Avenue. In its third year of operation, the Academy teaches ninth- and tenth-graders to be caddies, and develops leadership traits through a series of training programs and community service.

At the end of the second year, the “graduates” are ready to continue caddying at area clubs, and on their way to contending for lucrative Evans Scholarships to the University of Colorado.

“We wanted to build a program around caddying, and around developing young people and introducing them to the

game,” Solich explains, “but not necessarily in a junior golf clinic, per se. I was reading a story in Golf World—this was maybe four years ago—about a caddie camp at a club in Nantucket. I sent that to Ed and said, ‘This is not exactly what we should be doing, but this is close.’

“So he developed a business plan around a caddie academy where we could take kids, who maybe have never been exposed to golf, and give them the opportunity for a job, introduce them to the game of golf, and also give them the opportunity that eventually, maybe they could get a college scholarship.”

Originally, the idea was to call it the Eisenhower Academy, “after the President, in honor of his time spent in Colorado,” Solich says. But for various reasons, the CGA Board of Directors

thought it would be better to name it for the Academy’s benefactor. So Mate called Solich.

At first George demurred, telling him, “Ed, you know I’m not much for doing that.” But Mate persisted until Solich relented, sort of.

“After he said ‘No,’” Mate says, “he said, ‘If my brother agrees, then yes. But you have to sell it to him.’ And he emphasized: ‘It’s not named after me, it’s the Solich brothers.’”

Mate proved persuasive. And when Geoff “Duffy” Solich gave his benediction, George says, “Duff and I put both our financial backing and our support behind it. Ed and his team did all the hard work, and I think we have a great program today.”

Duffy Solich is two years older than George. It’s because of him that George came to appreciate

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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became a caddie, then he con“When I vinced me that I needed to bestarted, I come a caddie. He was going to thought the go for the Evans Scholarship. and behold, he got it. I was golf bag was Lo fortunate enough to heed his really heavy. advice, and I became a caddie The Broadmoor at the age Now I look at atof 13. ” it as something Solich was one of 150 cadat The Broadmoor, which that will make dies in 1974 was a national hub of me stronger.” amateur golf.

–A Solich Academy caddie, speaking at leadership training the tradition of the caddie.

“He really is the guy who got me into caddying,” George emphasizes. “He kind of blazed the trail for me. He went over to Broadmoor Golf Club and

“I learned the game of golf through caddying,” George says, “but I learned a lot of great life traits, too: hard work and stick-to-it-iveness; listening to people and communicating with people; and really having a good sense of being around successful people, how they act and what they do; and seeing the best behavior of people and the worst behavior of people.

COMMON ROUND: Solich Academy caddies head for a loop at CommonGround.

You learn good etiquette and bad etiquette, and what a good loser is and what a good winner is. Some people you liked, and some you didn’t like, but that in itself was a very real-world experience because that’s kind of the way it is in the world—there are people you want to spend time with, and people you don’t necessarily want to.”

Solich hopes he can expose “as many kids as possible to this kind of life experience.”

FIFTEEN BOYS and girls are invited to begin the two-year Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy program each year after they finish the eighth grade. Financial need and outstanding academic performance are determining factors.

Most of the applicants are not familiar with golf and have never been on a golf course.

“The first day of training last year,” recalls Lauren Harmon, director of instruction at

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ON THE BAGS: Caddies Jade Zimmer (left) and Francisco Guerrero.

CommonGround, “a lot of the caddies were late.” At first, she and caddiemaster Grant Cassell were concerned that maybe these kids were unreliable, despite the careful screening. Then the realization swept over her. “I said to Grant, ‘Did we tell them what a tee time is?’ You can’t assume they know any golf terms.”

Despite “Caddying 101” training, every caddie learns on the job. Their first lessons?

“Not to pull the driver out on par-threes,” answers Jade Zimmer, a second-year caddie who attends George Washington High.

“Stay out of the golfer’s way,” says Francisco Guerrero, who’s in his first year. “Don’t get in the line of putting.”

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(“Speak only when spoken to,” recalls Solich.)

They also quickly discover how little their friends know about caddying.

“They ask me, ‘Why are you tired? Don’t you have a golf cart?’” Jade says.

Players at CommonGround are encouraged to walk, and to utilize a caddie. As a result, the 30 caddies collectively will trek roughly 1,000 loops each summer. That’s roughly 3,700 miles.

At the end of each round, players complete a two-sided evaluation card. One side asks for numerical ratings of the caddie’s work ethic, caddie skills and social skills/ attitude. The other asks where the caddie had trouble, listing eight areas: giving proper yardage, standing in the proper place, finding the player’s ball, keeping up with the group of players, having a positive attitude, properly tending the pin, properly raking bunkers and cleaning clubs.

“Our job is to make sure it’s not a bad experience,” Solich says. “Consequently, we have to train these kids really well. You can’t just throw somebody out there. So we’re really focused on training, and providing a really quality experience. That’s what the academy does very, very well.”

While golfers are encouraged to give their caddies a tip reflective of the job they did, players do not pay for caddie service at CommonGround. That’s because the Colorado Golf Foundation, which Solich also founded, provides a stipend of $1,200 to each Solich Academy caddie, paid in two increments per month over the summer, provided they meet all requirements in each period.

Each caddie is required to complete at least 36 loops, attend weekly leadership classes, perform community service, and submit monthly work logs describing their experiences. At the conclusion of the second year in the program, “graduates” are placed in caddie programs at golf clubs near their homes.

“The goal was not to have them caddie forever at CommonGround,” Solich points out, “but to train them to be really good caddies and send them out to more-developed caddie programs around the city.”

Among the topics covered in the leadership sessions are: the meaning of being a leader; teamwork, work ethic and meeting challenges; understanding personal finances; making good decisions and tough decisions; communication skills; the importance of

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

higher education; living a healthy lifestyle; overcoming adversity; and setting career goals.

“The first session, on attitude, was really eye-opening for me,” Jade says. “I learned it’s a lot more than just how you feel that day.

And we had a listening session, and I learned it’s not just hearing what someone else is

“Why can’t more courses do that? The answer is, they can.”

Ed Mate

–Ed Mate THE CADDIE SUMMIT, saying, but understanding what other people are trying to tell you.”

“Before I got here, I was a little bit shy,” Francisco admits. But now, Lauren Harmon says with pride, “Francisco is a leader among the first-year caddies.”

a day-long meeting conducted by the Colorado Golf Association, is held annually in March. It’s the primary way Mate and Solich promote the advancement of caddying at private clubs and public courses.

“One of the goals of the Colorado Golf

Foundation is to continue to grow caddie programs at clubs all over the state,” Solich states. “Our goal is to be the source for developing a caddie program and the blueprint for putting it all together. We hope this can be a model for golf associations throughout the country to bring back the caddie not only at private courses but at public courses, as well.”

After attendance at the first Caddie Summit a few years ago was sparse, Solich came up with an incentive for clubs to attend. “If they bring three people (usually the head professional, the caddiemaster and a member of the caddie committee), they get a $500 check from the Colorado Golf Foundation to go toward their caddie program (usually for hats, bibs or maybe a caddie banquet).” Turnout now exceeds a hundred, and is growing each year. Clubs considering starting a caddie program are encouraged to attend, too.

There is evidence that the effort is having a positive impact.

Mate points to Fort Collins Country Club, where pro John Hanrahan not only introduced a caddie program but also established the Spike Baker Chapter of the Solich Acad-

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emy (named for a long-time Park Hill caddie and FCCC board member who went on to win a number of state and national amateur championships). Eight caddies will get an average of 35 loops this season.

“It’s a great example of the right ingredients coming together,” Mate says. “You have a pro who’s passionate about caddies, and members who want to walk.”

Solich also notes the progress at one of his own clubs.

“When I became caddie co-chair at Cherry Hills eight years ago,” he begins, “32 percent of our rounds were with caddies. Today it’s almost 50 percent.”

Cherry Hills has 180 caddies, and both Mate and Solich credit Cherry Hills PGA Head Professional pro John Ogden for such a robust program. “He’s the Pied Piper,” says Mate.

“Without John’s buy-in,” adds Solich, “it would be a lot harder for even me, with my passion as caddie chairman, to push it.

“We really need the partnership and support of the professionals,” Solich continues.

“Every golf club has a professional who is really the gatekeeper of the operation. They’re the guys buying the golf carts, hiring the golf operations people, making the decision, maybe with input from members at a private club, of do we have a caddie program or not?”

The answer, both he and Ed Mate hope, will increasingly be affirmative.

CAG

Frequent CAG contributor Denny Dressman is the author of numerous books (conservebooks. com). For his Web-exlusive look at the Evans Scholars program, its history and Colorado’s involvement, please visit coloradoavidgolfer.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Colorado can trace its leadership in the world of caddying to Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Tom O’Hara, who arrived in 1910 as the caddiemaster at Denver Country Club, where he worked until 1947. During that time he wrote the Caddie Rules, a list of 25 dos and don’ts adopted by clubs around the world, and trained thousands of caddies. “Tom has been one of the great character-builders of the game,” Bill Brown wrote in The Denver Post in 1941. “Today’s kids around Denver and many middleaged successful men in various parts of the country…respect and adore this young-hearted old guy for the influence he’s had in teaching them to do a modest job superlatively well, and in being gentlemen sportsmen at all times.”

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

What the

Wadley?

The Wadley Trophy, for which players will compete at this year’s BMW, is named for John Keener (J.K.) Wadley, a Texarkana tycoon who donated the trophy in 1923 while serving as Western Golf Association president.

The WGA runs the BMW Championship (formerly the Western Open) and all proceeds go to fund the Evans Scholarships, which since 1930 have provided more than 10,000 deserving caddies with the means to receive college education.

In addition to being a heck of an amateur golfer, Wadley made “another important contribution to the game of golf,” according to his biographer James Coggin. After Wadley saw a three-wheeled electric cart being used in Los Angeles to transport seniors to the grocery store, he purchased a cart and found it worked well on a golf course. Reportedly, this was the first use of the golf cart.

MORE VIDEOS.

MORE INSTRUCTION. So, in an ironic twist of history, the trophy for the event that helps send caddies to college bears the name of the man who first popularized the product that would put caddies out of work.—Jon Rizzi co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

coloradoavidgolfer.com/ instruction IMPROVE YOUR GAME WITH

50+ LESSONS & VIDEOS! Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

73

The Love Dove

That’s the refrain from owners at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, where luxurious high-desert living comes with all the amenities of a world-class resort—including 27 holes of golf. By Jon Rizzi

HOT PROPERTY: An optional fire pit and spa-style pool highlight a Residence’s outdoor living area.

T

he World Golf Champion-

ships may have moved away from The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, but an increasing number of people are moving in along the three Jack Nicklaus-designed nines. They’re finding that the luxurious homes that bestride the six-year Accenture Match Play venue—The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain—perfectly match the resort lifestyle they want to lead.

“We currently have 40 homes complete or under contract,” Director of Sales and Mar-

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

keting Rich Oosterhuis reported in late August. “We have another seven homes breaking ground in the next 90 days to go with the six that are already under construction.”

Why the appeal?

First, The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, is not a fractional-ownership or condo-in-a-hotel deal. It consists of fullownership custom homes ranging in size from 1,650 to 5,400 square feet on lots between one and seven acres. Set amid saguarostudded high desert in the Tortolita foothills 25 minutes north of downtown Tucson, the

Residences occupy only 14 percent of the development’s 6,200 acres.

The Residences follow eight highly flexible floor plans with eminently customizable elevations featuring distinctive Southwestern architectural styles (such as Contemporary Pueblo, Arizona Ranch), materials (like clay tile, wood, natural adobe) and colors (tan, ochre, rose). To erase the distinction between indoor and outdoor living, all homes feature foldaway windows and telescoping doors. “It makes our house feel 100 times bigger than it is,” enthuses one homeowner.

Second, ownership comes with membercoloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

LIVING LARGE: Retractable glass walls marry indoor comfort with outdoor splendor.

MEMBER-FEST: The private clubhouse dining area.

ship to the golf club and its magnificently appointed clubhouse. The 45,000-squarefoot structure houses elaborate private dining and event spaces (Today Show host Savannah Guthrie got married there), sumptuous locker rooms, a fitness facility, steam room and members’ grill. It also boasts Cayton’s, a gourmet burger bistro named for homesteader Cush Cayton, whose erstwhile ranch comprises much of the development’s acreage.

Third, and most persuasively, what distinguishes the Residences from all other upscale golf communities is the five-star Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Hotel that anchors the propco l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

erty. It affords Residents priority access to all the hotel’s spectacular amenities: the transformative indoor and outdoor treatment rooms of the blissful spa and fitness center; three separate pool areas; four tennis courts and four restaurants—including the fabulous Core and Ignite, the lobby lounge that converts into a full-on sushi and sake bar Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

“The hotel’s our own personal recreation facility,” says Boston-based executive Leslie Medalie, who last winter moved into the modern adobe ranch home she and her husband, Seth, a wealth manager, built on the Wild Burro nine. “It’s like having a complete resort as part of your home.”

A complete resort, Seth emphasizes, that includes the kind of 24/7 concierge service for which the Ritz is famous. “I email the concierge and he’ll send down the same fresh steak, haddock, tomatoes and arugula that the hotel restaurant orders,” he says. “You can’t underestimate what it’s like to have the Ritz and the golf club.”

Living half the time on the East Coast, the Medalies also appreciate the diligence with which the Ritz staff checks on their home, not only for security but also for burned-out bulbs and other inconveniences. They always arrive to a house stocked with groceries. The concierge can also arrange reduced-rate and upgraded stays at all Ritz and Marriott properties.

“Every real estate developer claims quality concierge service,” says Dove Mountain developer David Mehl of Cottonwood Properties, which also developed La Paloma in Tucson. “But developers are lousy at it.” So, he says, from the time he started buying the land in 1984, he envisioned having a five-star hotel in the development, and that the Ritz beat out other “flags” for the privilege.

Mehl also recognized that developers and hoteliers aren’t experts at running a golf club,

so in 2012 Cottonwood sold the operation and management to what was then known as The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain to Texas-based Escalante Golf.

Cottonwood no longer has a stake in the golf club, but it has partnered with The Ritz on the hotel, and with Ray Sidney, one of Google’s original engineers and a sustainable real-estate developer, on The Residences. Sidney’s investment has eliminated all debt on the property, making The Residences an appealing anomaly in the luxury real-estate world.

That distinction wasn’t lost on Residents Jeff and Laura Goodrich, 50-something retirees who summer at Montrêux Golf and Country Club in Reno—the same driving distance as Denver to Tucson. But more critical to their decision to buy at Dove Mountain was “the association with the hotel,” Jeff says.

“We loved the privacy plus access to all the amenities. At other developments you were either stuck in some remote house in a canyon or living on top of someone else.”

The proximity of their Residence to restaurants in nearby Tucson and Oro Valley factored in. The Goodriches also love the endless hiking trails complete with centuriesold Hohokam petroglyphs. “I can go straight from the back of my house eight miles up into the Tortolitas,” says Jeff, who also plays three to four rounds of golf a week.

The active community at The Residences has attracted mainly buyers in their early- to mid-50s. Some live there year-round, while others, like the Medallies, go for weeks at a time throughout the year. “We looked at a lot of places,” says Leslie Medallie, “and we felt really good when we found this. We wanted a place where people are normal, not buying their fifth home, and where we’d have friends.”

“For years, our dream a place in Arizona,” says Seth. “And when expectations build, you’re inevitably let down. Well, we are so blown away by this place. It’s so much better than we could ever imagine.” CAG Jon Rizzi is CAG’s editor. For more information: theresidencesdovemountain.com; 877-451-7205.

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

75

Vail Valley’s Most Exclusive Golf and Ranch Estate Community e New Custom Homes starting at $1,050,000 e 4-Acre Homesites starting at $337,500 e Private Tom Weiskopf designed golf course e 100% refundable membership deposits e Most complete package of family amenities including spa, fitness center, private fishing, member cottages, swimming, basketball, hiking, tennis, hunting and mountain biking

Home of Adam’s Mountain Country Club Located 12 miles south of Eagle/Vail Airport AdamsRibRanch.com | 866.520.2622

FIND OUT WHAT MAKES US WILDLY LUXURIOUS

TRAVEL GUIDE 2 01 4

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

RELAX & PLAY

From Scottsdale Chic to Tucson Cool, Arizona ROCKS

Insider Travel Tips

Arizona | Nevada | Utah Vegas and Mesquite Two Cities, One Sure Bet!

+

BEST RESORTS & BEST NIGHTLIFE

TRAVEL GUIDE 2014

An Experience...

that Truly Represents Golf in the Arizona Desert

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge

TABLE of CONTENTS

t In This Section Arizona

Lodging………………………………………………………………………………………………… 80-85 Golf…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 86-95 Activities and Dining……………………………………………………………………………… 96-101

Nevada 480-488-0398 5734 E. Rancho Manana Blvd Cave Creek, AZ 85331 www.RanchoManana.com

Lodging…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 102 Golf………………………………………………………………………………………………… 104-107 Activities and Dining…………………………………………………………………………………… 108

Utah

Golf………………………………………………………………………………………………… 114-115 Lodging…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 116 Activities and Dining…………………………………………………………………………………… 117

TRAVEL GUIDE 2 01 4

ION G SECT RTISIN L ADVE SPECIA

t

On the Cover

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

RELAX & PLAY

Chic to From Scottsdale a ROCKS Tucson Cool, Arizon

avel Tips Insider| Tr nevada | Utah

Arizona SqUITE VEGAS AnDSurMEe Bet! Two Cities, One

+

BEST RESORTS IFE & BEST nIGHTL

ON THE WEB: Receive exclusive offers and screaming deals at participating resorts and courses at:

coloradoavidgolfer.com/travel

RULE #5

BRANDEL’S WATER IS NOT A HAZARD RULES FOR

SCOTTSDALE GOLF

There's plenty of world-class golf in Scottsdale. But, we all know there's more to a great golf trip than chasing a little white ball. Whenever I'm in town, I make sure to enjoy Scottsdale's "other" attractions. And I promise there is no penalty for being in the water.

I Love Scottsdale Golf and I promise you will, too. Learn more about how we play the game and start your next Scottsdale golf adventure at

iLoveScottsdaleGolf.com

— Brandel Chamblee, Golf Channel analyst and swimsuit model

Lodging | Where to Stay

300

The most elegant of Talking Stick Resort’s six restaurants, Orange Sky features more than 300 wines with which to pair its award-winning cuisine and stunning sunsets. Orange Sky and its O Lounge perch on the resort’s top floor, directly above its 13,000-square-foot, open-air spa and in full view of the resort’s two golf courses. talkingstickresort.com

Orange Sky Patio at Talking Stick Resort

Room for Everyone

Y

ARIZONA [featured resorts]

t

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa Phoenix arizonagrandresort.com 877-800-4888 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Scottsdale fairmont.com/scottsdale 800-344-4758 J.W. Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Phoenix jwdesertridgeresort.com 800-835-6206 Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia Paradise Valley montelucia.com; 888-627-3010 Talking Stick Resort Scottsdale talkingstickresort.com 866-850-7777 WE-KO-PA RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER Fort McDowell wekoparesort.com 480-789-5300

ou can’t swing a club around Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tucson without hitting a sumptuous resort, many of which boast more than 18 holes of golf. In the Phoenix-Scottsdale axis, The JW Marriotts at Desert Ridge and Camelback have 36, as do Talking Stick, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and We-Ko-Pa. That’s the same number you’ll find at Omni Tucson National and the Lodge at Ventana Canyon.

Beyond golf, the posh amenites offered by these resorts—as well as by places as varied as the Casino Del Sol, Westin La Paloma and Montelucia—make for hugely indulgent stays.

Arizona Grand

t We-Ko-Pa resort & Conference Center is more

acres of fun water features, as well as the luxe 28,000-square-foot Revive Spa, seven mouthwatering restaurants and a golf course that has hosted LPGA Tour events.

than the new name for the Radisson Fort McDowell. Now owned and operated by the Yavapai Nation, the 246-room resort will feature more stayand-play options with the golf course of the same name.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

t The omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia brings Southern

Spain to the Southwest. The design suggests an elegant Andalusian village with vibrant archways and fountains, a Hammam spa and antiques from Spain and Morocco.

A TRUE OASIS

To book resort packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

t

t JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge boasts four

With 740 suites, 18 holes of Arthur Hills-designed golf , seven exhilarating acres of private waterpark fun, six unique dining venues and a fully equipped spa and fitness center, the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa wants for nothing.

experienceTroonNorth Where desert golf dreams come true!

Troon North速 Golf Club stands as the hallmark of the desert golf experience, stretching through the natural ravines and foothills in the high Sonoran desert. The challenge, visual sensation, and special ambiance of Troon North set the standards by which all others are measured. The immaculately groomed golf courses and exceptional level of customer service create the renowned Troon Golf ExpEriEnce.SM

10 32 0 E . D y n a m i t E b lv D . s c o t t s D a l E , a z 8 5 2 6 2 | 4 8 0 . 5 8 5 . 7 7 0 0 | t r o o n n o r t h g o l f. c o m

T r o o n n o r T 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, 速 The Leader In UPSC aLe GoLF CoUrSe manaGemenT

Visit TroonnorThGolf.com for:

> Best Available rates > newly renovated Dynamite Grille > four Seasons Stay & Play Packages > 36-hole Double Play Specials > Group Events

Lodging | Where to Stay

4

ARIZONA

Owned and operated by the Pascua Yaqui Nation, the 215-room Casino Del Sol Resort ranks as the only Arizona casino resort to have earned a Forbes Four Star award and a AAA Four Diamond award. A superb combination of gourmet fare, championship golf, elegant dĂŠcor, live music and lively gaming make this a sure bet. casinodelsolresort.com.

Casino del Sol Resort

[featured resorts] Casino Del Sol Resort Tucson casinodelsolresort.com 866-715-0006 The Lodge at Ventana Canyon Tucson thelodgeatventanacanyon.com 800-828-5701

Tubac

Loews Ventana Canyon Tucson loewsventanacanyon.com 800-234-5117

Too-Cool Tubac t Set on a historic 500-acre ranch less than an hour south of Tucson, the legendary Tubac Golf Resort & Spa recently underwent a $40 million modernization while preserving its Spanish Colonial architectural integrity.

Private haciendas and casitas lead to 27 holes of golf, lush gardens, rejuvenating spa and a 3,000-square-foot show-

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa Tubac tubacgolfresort.com 800-848-7893 Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa Tucson westinlapalomaresort.com 888-627-7201

room featuring the hand-crafted Mexican, Spanish and Western furnishings for which the area is famous.

How Suite It Is t The 50 intimately elegant suites that comprise The Lodge at Ventana Canyon range from 800 to 1500 square feet and provide easy access to the renowned spa, To book resort packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

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dining in the Catalina Room, hiking trails into the canyon and the golf club’s stellar Mountain and Canyon courses.

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Loews Ventana Canyon

coloradoav idgo lf e r.c o m/t r ave l

WATERING Holes

• Mbar at Prado (Omni Montelucia)

• The Lobby Bar (Arizona Grand)

• Degree 270 (Talking Stick)

• The Flying V

(Loews Ventana Canyon)

• Prema

(Casino del Sol)

• R Bar

(JW Marriott Camelback Inn)

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

R Bar at JW Marriott

coloradoav idgo lf e r.c o m/t r ave l

PLAY FALDO. PLAY PALMER. REPEAT. Experience a championship golf resort vacation like no other at the AAA 4-Diamond award-winning JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Start your day in the comfort of your luxurious guest room with views of the McDowell Mountains, followed by a bountiful breakfast buffet in the new Stonegrill restaurant. Relax in one of four sparkling pools, float down the lazy river or splash down the waterslide. Enjoy unlimited championship golf at Wildfire Golf Club - home of the LPGA Founders Cup and voted “Best Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek Magazine and “Best Resort Course in the Southwest” by Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine. Enjoy a tranquil treatment at Revive Spa. Dine at one of five unique restaurants. Or simply relax and enjoy our 316-acre playground in the stunning Sonoran Desert. Unlimited fun awaits!

UNLIMITED GOLF PACKAGE – FROM $319 PER NIGHT Includes a luxurious resort room, daily breakfast buffet at Stonegrill restaurant, unlimited golf and use of practice golf facilities, complimentary golf cart with GPS and bag storage, advanced tee times and 20% discount at resort golf, spa and tennis retail shops.

To book your stay, visit marriott.com or call 800.835.6206 and use rate code GOF when booking.

© 2014 Marriott International. Valid seven days a week through May 31, 2015. Package is good for one or two adults based on package purchased. Unlimited golf is valid from 3:00 pm the day of arrival. A limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations. For tee time reservations up to 120 days in advance, please call 480.473.0205. Breakfast buffet is in Stonegrill and is a $22 value per person.

Golf | Where to Tee It Up

“We-Ko-Pa” translates to the “Four Mountains,” that play an important spiritual role within the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The nation’s 36-hole We-KoPa Golf Club has translated into four and five stars from all major golf publications, with the Cholla and Saguaro layouts stirring the spirits of golfers who take them on. wekopa.com

We-Ko-Pa

SunRidge Canyon

Praising Arizona

W

which until this April was known at The Raven at Verrado, tucks dramatically into the White Tank Mountain foothills near Buckeye. Mulitiple tees and wide landing areas make the lengthy Tom Lehman-John Fought layout very playable.

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t EAGLE MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB has nestled in the

t AK-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, sprawls

picturesque ravines of the McDowell Mountains since 1996. The 6,800-yard Scott Miller design winds creatively through natural box canyons, rolling hills and lush desert valleys.

across 320 acres south of Phoenix. The work of Schmidt-Curley Design and Fred Couples, the Troonmanaged course has six sets of tees (5,036-7,517 yards) and “dynamic pricing.”

t AK-Chin Southern DuNes Golf Club Maricopa golfsoutherndunes.com 480-367-8949 Arizona Grand Golf Course Phoenix arizonagrandresort.com 602-431-6480 The Golf CLub at Dove Mountain Marana thegolfclubatdovemountain.com 520-572-3500 Omni Tucson National Tucson tucsonnational.com 520-297-2271 Rancho MañAna Golf Club Cave Creek ranchomanana.com 480-488-0398 Sewailo Golf Club Tucson sewailogolfclub.com 520-838-6623 Talking Stick Golf Club Scottsdale talkingstickgolfclub.com 480-860-2221 TUBAC GOLF Resort Tubac tubacgolfresort.com 800-848-7893

ith more golf courses per capita than any state west of the Mississippi River, Arizona also has the widest range of layouts—from rugged target-golf desert designs to tree-lined classics, from budget courses to big-time trophy tracks.

The largest concentration is in Phoenix/Scottsdale orbit, which extends north to Carefree and Cave Creek; west to Peoria, Glendale and Buckeye; and south to Tempe and Mesa. Two hours north on I-10, puts you in the picturesque golf vortex of Sedona; two hours south, treasures await in the mountains in and around Tucson. What more could a golfer want?

t Verrado Golf Club,

[featured courses]

NORTH’S STARS

To book golf packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

t

36

ARIZONA

With two 18-hole courses—the Monument and Pinnacle—weaving through the boulders and ravines below Pinnacle Peak, Troon North Golf Club remains the hallmark of desert golf, especially after recent refinements by original architect Tom Weiskopf.

FEEL THE SUN Contact our courses below to make your experience special with advantages like best rates, great stay & play specials and MORE!

ON WINTER GOLF IN SUNNY ARIZONA

SPECTACULAR // AZ GOLF //

TEGAVAH Par 4, 18th Hole

ASU KARSTEN Tempe, Arizona asukarsten.com/co/ 480.921.8070

LONGBOW Mesa, Arizona longbowgolf.com/co 480.807.5400

EAGLE MOUNTAIN Fountain Hills, Arizona eaglemtn.com/co 480.816.1234

RAVEN GC- PHOENIX Phoenix, Arizona ravenphx.com/co 602.243.3636

PALM VALLEY Goodyear, Arizona palmvalleygolf.com/co 623.935.2500

SEDONA GOLF RESORT Sedona, Arizona sedonagolfresort.com/co 928.284.9355

MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN Scottsdale, Arizona mcdowellmountaingc.com/co 480.502.8200

TEGAVAH Rio Verde, Arizona tegavahgolf.com/co.html 480.471.3232

obsports.com/co

Golf | Where to Tee It Up

14

ARIZONA

Open less than a year, the Notah Begay-designed Sewailo Golf Club has shot up the lists of Arizona must-plays. With 14 acres of lakes, the tribally-owned amenity of the Casino Del Sol overflows with enough challenge to have the University of Arizona golf team make it its home course. sewailogolfclub.com.

Sewailo

[featured courses] Troon North Golf Club North Scottsdale troonnorthgolf.com 480-585-5300 Arizona Grand

Ain’t Golf Grand?t Perky (6,336 yards) and quirky (three Par 5s and five Par 3s), Arizona Grand Golf Course is one of the more enjoyable courses in the state. It opens with an island tee

TPC Scottsdale Scottsdale tpc.com/scottsdale 888-400-4001 Ventana Canyon Golf Club Tucson ventanacanyonclub.com 800-828-5701

box inside the hotel, finishes on an island-green par 3 and

Verrado Golf Club Buckeye verradogolfclub.com Phantom Horse at South Mountain, the tight 1980s layout 623-388-3000 presents more challenges than its yardage indicates.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club arizonagrandresort.com.

Fort McDowell wekopa.com 866-660-7700 features a stellar par-5 13th (above). Formerly known as

Be a Sport t

The Golf Club at Dove Mountain may no longer host the WGC-Accenture Match Play but Victor Dubuisson and Jason Day sure made the most of the last one during February’s playoff. You can try their amazing escape shots, or play the tips on all three Jack Nicklaus-deTo book golf packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

88

signed nines (average length: 3,915 yards). Or just enjoy the gorgeous course. thegolfclubatdovemountain.com

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Westin La Paloma Golf Club Tucson lapalomacc.com 520-742-6100 Wildfire Golf Club Phoenix wildfiregolf.com 480-473-0205

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m/t r ave l

KINDLY REFRAIN FROM OOHING AND AAHING AT THE SCENERY WHILE YOUR OPPONENT IS PUTTING. With breathtaking views and a thrilling design crafted by Tom Lehman and John Fought, Verrado Golf Club combines the ďŹ nest elements of Arizona golf with the highest standards for service.

See for yourself why golf here defines golf everywhere.

www.VerradoGolfClub.com 4242 North Golf Drive, Buckeye, AZ 85396 | 623.388.3000

Go OB

Scottsdale’s OB Sports (obsports.com; 480-948-1300) owns or manages courses throughout the Southwest. Among those in Arizona...

ASU KARSTEN Tempe asukarsten.com/co/ 480-921-8070

PALM VALLEY Goodyear palmvalleygolf.com/co 623-935-2500

EAGLE MOUNTAIN Fountain Hills eaglemtn.com/co 480-816-1234

RAVEN GOLF CLUB PHOENIX Phoenix ravenphx.com/co 602-243-3636

LONGBOW Mesa longbowgolf.com/co 480-807-5400 MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN Scottsdale mcdowellmountaingc. com/co 480-502-8200

SEDONA GOLF RESORT Sedona sedonagolfresort.com/co 928-284-9355 TEGAVAH Rio Verde tegavahgolf.com/co 480-471-3232

Longbow Eagle Mountain

You are invited to enjoy any of our seven premier semiprivate courses, seven days a week.

Featuring Grandview Golf Course, the West Valley home of the LPGA Legends Tour.

Allow us to “chip” in Bring in this ad for 10% off* our already low non-resident rate See why Sun City West’s four championship and three executive courses are gaining a reputation as the Valley’s alternative to Scottsdale’s pricey courses.

We are conveniently located between Grand Avenue, Loop 303 and Bell Road.

Visit SunCityWestGolf.com or call 623-544-6022 *This promotion is good through 12/31/2014

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

coloradoav idgol f e r.c o m/t r ave l

THE PERFECT GOLF GETAWAY Arizona’s Only All-Suite Resort Featuring 1 and 2-Bedroom Suites with Separate Living Areas

• 18-Hole Golf Course • 7-Acre Water Park • 10 Minutes from the Airport • Easy Access to All Major Freeways

ROOM RATES STARTING AT $199 USE CODE: AVIDGOLF Includes Unlimited Golf at Arizona Grand Golf Course

ArizonaGrandResort.com | (866) 267-1321 Rates Valid Through January 31, 2015.

Rate applies to queen/queen rooms. Arizona Grand Golf Course will be closed for overseeding October 15 – 31, 2014.

Downtown Scottsdale sizzles with late-night diversions, including more than 80 sophisticated lounges (such as Cafe ZuZu, pictured here), neighborhood pubs, highenergy dance clubs—and fleets of pedi-cabs and taxis to whisk you back to your car or resort. experiencescottsdale.com

Fuel for the City

LIFESTYLE | What to Do

80 W

ith more than 600 restaurants, Scottsdale has the perfect recipe for any palate.

Hot spots include the vintage-chic House Brasserie, where dishes like licorice glazed pork belly come with basil and brie smashed fingerlings; Culinary Dropout, a cutting-edge gastro-pub with additional locations in Phoenix and Las Vegas; and Deseo, the Westin Kierland’s spectacularly inspired Nuevo Latino dining experience. The Kierland’s Scotch Library—featuring 125 different types—is downright magic. And for straightup steak, beer and C&W music, there’s the Handlebar J, Rusty Spur and Pinnacle Peak Patio.

Rainbow Ryders provide the uplifting experience of viewing Scottsdale, Phoenix and the colorful Sonoran Desert landscape from cloudless skies hundreds of feet above. experiencescottsdale.com 96

t Taliesin West, Frank

Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece, is always worth a visit—especially on the Friday evening Night Lights tour (through October) when it glows in the moolight and a fire-breathing dragon appears. franklloydwright.org

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

t Artwalk, Scottsdale’s free Thursday evening gallery tour, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Scottsdale and Phoenix feature some of the highest concentrations of museums, galleries and studios in the nation.

t

Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau experiencescottsdale.com 800-782-1117 Culinary Dropout culinarydropout.com 480-970-1700 The House Brasserie thehousebrasserie.com 480-634-1600 Deseo kierlandresort.com 480-624-1202 Handlebar J handlebarj.com 480-948-0110 Rusty Spur rustyspursaloon.com 480-425-7787 Pinnacle Peak Patio pppatio.com 480-585-1599 La hacienda at the Scottsdale princesS fairmont.com/scottsdale 480-585-4848 Scottsdale artwalk scottsdalegalleries.com 480-998-4323 Cafe ZUZU cafe-zuzu.com 480-421-7997 Kierland Commons kierlandcommons.com Dominick’s Steakhouse dominickssteakhouse.com 480-272-7271

t

t Arizona Baloon Safaris, Hot Air Expeditions and

SCOTTSDALE

PSYCHED TO HIKE?

For more information go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

Nine trailheads around Scottsdale lead to the 60-plus miles of trails of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. You can also hike Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak Park and McDowell Mountain.

Get ready to tee it up at Arizona’s most decorated casino resort, Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol Resort, Tucson’s newest and most beautiful golf course to date! The verdant, velvet green complexes and smooth fairways await you – be one of the first to play this jewel of the desert!

Arizona’s only Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four Diamond Casino resort offers five incredible restaurants, a spa, and Tucson’s finest concerts under the stars at AVA Amphitheater. So come stay and play the way you want to at Casino Del Sol Resort, where every day and night is extraordinary!

BOOK YOUR TEE TIME AT SEWAILOGOLFCLUB.COM

Morefun under the Sun 855.SOL.STAY CASINODELSOLRESORT.COM TUCSON, ARIZONA

Home of the Arizona Wildcats

ENTERPRISE OF THE PA S C U A YA Q U I T R I B E

HOT Spots

Shopping, dining and entertainment all come together in the “Main Street lifestyle center” known as Kierland Commons.

The one-of-a-kind development incorporates more than 70 highend specialty stores, live music and a variety of the Valley’s consistently ranked best restaurants like Zinc Bistro, The Greene House, Mastro’s Ocean Club, North, Tommy Bahama and RA Sushi Bar & Restaurant. Downtown Scottsdale, “where the Old West Meets the New West” features more boutiquey stores, galleries and gathering spots. experiencescottsdale.com.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

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Condé Nast Traveler Named Tubac 1 of 14 Up-and-Coming, Must-See Destinations in the World in 2014

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Looking for a reason?

It’s Tubac Golf Season...

Historic Tubac, Arizona

(1-19, Exit 40) • 30 minutes from Tucson

www.TubacGolfResort.com 1.800.848.7893

38˚ 33 ˚

Located on 10 acres in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a National Historic District devoted to the thousands of paintings, mosaics, sculptures and structures created by Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia. His life was a joyous work of art, and this brilliant complex, which also features the open-air chapel he constructed (pictured here), testifies to his genius. degrazia.org

Ooh-La-La Encantada!

M

LIFESTYLE | What to Do

10

TUCSON

t

Fourth Avenue Merchants fourthavenue.org 520-624-5004 La Encantada

laencantadashoppingcenter.com Biosphere 2

b2science.org 520-838-6200 Arizona Wine Growers arizonawine.org 623-236-2338 El Charro elcharrocafe.com (520) 622-1922 Arizona-Sonora Desert museum desertmuseum.org 520-883-2702 Core Kitchen & Wine Bar at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana 520-572-3000 Ava Amphiteather tickets.solcasinos.com 855-SOL-STAY Visit Tucson visittucson.org 800-638-8350

ore than just luxury shops and restaurants, Tucson’s upscale, outdoor shopping center, La Encantada, features a slew of fitness events and festivals throughout the year. Sundays bring complimentary yoga at LuluLemon Athletica; Wednesdays there’s a free weekly fitness meet-up that includes a walk, run, and/or strength conditioning activity. Come November, check the free Four Corners Festival, which features gourmet food and wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, film, performing arts and more.

Tucson’s historic, tree-lined Fourth Avenue also delivers a decidedly local and eclectic offering of shops, restaurants, bars and places to hear live music. visittucson.org

t Wine Not? Plan a Day Trip

t El Tour De Tucson, a

the oldest continually operating Mexican restaurant in the U.S. owned by the same family. In addition to three Tucson locations, there’s one underwater.

U. S. Navy named the galley on the U.S.S. Tucson submarine “El Charro Down Under.”

to one of Southern Arizona’s vineyards! Experts claim the climate and soil conditions in Sonoita, Elgin and the Wilcox area are perfect for growing grapes. The wineries in these Southern Arizona villages agree. See if you do, too.

110-mile roadbike race held Saturday before Thanksgiving, attracts more than 9,000 people from all over to the city Bicycling magazine ranked third best in the country. The Tour is presented by Casino del Sol.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

t

t El ChaRro, at 92 years, is

HORSING AROUND IN TUCSON

For more information go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

One of Tucson’s top dude ranches, Tanque Verde Ranch Resort sprawls across 60,000 acres of desert beauty. After a day of riding (or mountain biking, fishing, or hiking) indulge in the plush digs, spa treatments and fine dining. tanqueverderanch.com

STOP SEARCHING FOR YOUR OASIS. IT’S RIGHT HERE. YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT THE STORIES YOU CAN TELL WITH TUCSON AS YOUR ESCAPE. LEARN MORE AT VISITTUCSON.ORG/GOLF.

CasaBlanca

Caesar’s Palace

Betting on the Come?

LODGING | Where to Stay

80

The desert oasis of Mesquite, which sits 80 miles north of Las Vegas on the Arizona border, features similar golf, lodging and gaming as the big city. You’ll find all three under the tiled roof at CasaBlanca, famous for its pink exterior, excellent steakhouse, spacious casino, 500 rooms and lagoonstyle pool. casablancaresort.com

T

NEVADA

[featured resorts]

t

Caesars palace Las Vegas caesarspalace.com 866-227-5938 Casablanca Resort & Casino Mesquite casablancaresort.com 877-438-2929 Eureka Casino & Resort Mesquite eurekamesquite.com 800-346-4611 holiday inn express Mesquite ihg.com; 800-972-2518 virgin river hotel & Casino Mesquite virginriver.com 877-438-2929 Primm Valley Casino Resorts Primm primmvalleyresorts.com 888-774-6668 SLS HOTEL & CASINO Las Vegas slshotels.com/lasvegas 855-761-7757 Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Las Vegas primmvalleyresorts.com 888-774-6668

he recession must be over, because new luxury hotels are opening again in Vegas.

Last year brought Nobu, a separate hotel within Caesar’s Palace. This year Caesars opened The Cromwell, a 188-room Parisian-inspired hotel featuring the first restaurant by food celeb Giada De Laurentiis and a huge indoor/outdoor nightclub with rooftop pool. In August the 1,600-room SLS Las Vegas debuted on the north end of The Strip. The three-towered resort, designed by Phillipe Starck will feature the restaurants Katsuya by Starck and The Bazaar by José Andrés, plus endless nightlife offerings.

t Falcon Ridge Hotel is

the former name of the Holiday Inn Express that provides one of the few non-casino lodging options in Mesquite, making it perfect for families. Rooms have balconies, and the stellar Falcon Ridge Golf Course is still across the streeet.

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t Primm valley Casino Resorts (Whiskey Pete’s,

Primm Valley and Buffalo Bill’s) lie a half-hour south of Las Vegas and offer stay-andplay deals with Primm Valley’s superb Lakes and Desert courses—both Tom Fazio layouts managed by Par 4.

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

t

Eureka Casino

t Caesars Palace, with

PURE GOLD

upwards of 4,000 rooms, A-list entertainers and many of Las Vegas’s best restaurants, remains one of the most iconic places to stay in Vegas. Plus it has owns the wonderful Rio Secco and Cascata golf courses.

Consistently rated one of Mesquite’s best resorts because of consistent upgrades, Eureka Casino and Resort has within the last few years improved its guest rooms and suites, gaming areas, courtyard, pool and spa. Gregory’s Mesquite Grill combines classic steakhouse fare with Italian entrees. eurekamesquite.com

To book resort packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

Spanish Trail Primm Valley

All that Glitters Is Not Golf

Golf | Where to Tee it Up

7

Par 4 Golf ’s portfolio includes seven Nevada beauties, including the 27-hole Spanish Trail Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout that formerly hosted the PGA Tour’s Las Vegas Invitational, and Primm Valley Golf Club, which boasts two distinct Tom Fazio 18s—the semitropical Lakes Course and the cactus-speckled Desert—just 30 minutes from The Strip.

NEVADA

[featured courses]

t

Angel Park Golf Course Las Vegas angelpark.com/co 702-254-4653 Badlands Golf Club Las Vegas badlandsgc.com 702-363-0754 Canyons at Oasis Golf Club Mesquite theoasisgolfclub.com 888-367-3386 Cascata Boulder City cascatagolf.com 702-294-2005 Conestoga Golf Club Mesquite conestogagolf.com 702-346-4292 Coyote Springs Golf Club Coyote Springs coyotesprings.com 877-742-8455 DURANGO HILLS Golf Club durangohillsgolf.com/co 702-229-4653

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as Vegas suspends our perception of place. One minute you’re in Paris; the next, Egypt; then Ancient Rome. And for years, the same applied to golf courses: Yesterday you play in the South Pacific; today, the British Isles; and tomorrow, you’re going on a Jack Nicklaus tour. And none of it cost less than $200. But for every Bali Hai there are dozens of affordable, well-conditioned layouts of a piece with their environment. Angel Park, Badlands, Spanish Trail, The Legacy and dozens of other reasonable Vegas courses prove that you don’t have to hit it big in the casino to hit the jackpot on the golf course.

Angel Park

t Badlands Golf Club,

t Las Vegas Golf Club,

grandest golf experience in Las Vegas. Limo. Caddie. Locker with nameplate. Waterfall in clubhouse. Oh, and a 7,137yard Rees Jones masterpiece that will set you back less than it would to play Pebble Beach.

And you won’t get rained on.

west of Las Vegas in Summerlin, plays against the backdrop of the majestic Red Rock Canyons. The Johnny Miller-Chi Chi Rodriguez design features three unique 9-hole layouts; Desperado, Diablo, and Outlaw.

estalished in 1938, is the area’s oldest course and the closest to Downtown Las Vegas. Mature pines and cottonwoods line the wide fairways, and the greens roll true. If the tables beat you up, this course won’t.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

HEAVEN SENT

To book golf packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

t

t Cascata remains the

There’s more to Angel Park Golf Course than the two scenic courses designed by the team of Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. There’s the fun, lighted 12-hole short course and putting course. More critical to the experience are the female caddies, a.k.a. the “Angel Park Angels”

experienceMesquite “Conestoga Cares”

Conestoga Golf Club is an expert in golf outings of any size. Book your 12+ player group directly with us and receive our exclusive “Conestoga Cares” package for the guaranteed lowest price. This amazing package includes golf, group scoring, cart, merchandise credit, and select food and beverage options for one easy all-inclusive price. We will also provide your group with a dedicated event professional to ensure every one of these amazing benefits is utilized by the group. Make no mistake —“Conestoga Cares”— and as Mesquite’s only Troon managed golf facility, we promise to deliver you the premier golf experience in Southern Nevada.

MESQUITE, NV

|

702.346.4292

|

CO N E STOG AGO LF.COm

CO N E S T O G A 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,® T h E L E A d E r I N U p S C A L E G O L F CO U r S E m A N A G E m E N T

“Conestoga CaRes” PaCkage start at $69 Per Player this Fall / Winter Call 702.346.4292 and ask for the General Manager or email: tmcdowell@TroonGolf.com Call for a custom quote for your preferred package dates regardless of group size. #ConestogaCares

Conestoga

Beyond the Wolf’s Call

Golf | Where to Tee It Up

51

A masterful Gary Panks design located in the Sun City Mesquite, Contestoga Golf Club isn’t just for the residents of the active-adult community. Featuring 51 bunkers and a 147/74.9 rating from the tips, its 7,232 yards roil through canyons with gently ascending and decending elevations, artfully skirting rugged rock outcroppings and tranquil water elements. conestogagolf.com

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climbs, winds and plunges 6,550 yards through stunningly beautiful hills and canyons.

Scoring opportunities come fast on the opening nine holes; the back nine presents tougher challenges but the views more than make up for it.

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t Coyote Springs Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus

t The Oasis’ Canyon Course perfectly comple-

creation located 50 minutes from both Las Vegas and Mesquite, features 11 lakes and stretches to 7,471 yards.

Mountains and peaks between 5,000 and 9000 feet surround it on all four sides.

ments its less difficult Palmer Course. Located in the canyons of northwest Mesquite, the Canyons has two distinct nines: a scenic front and and tighter back designed by Arnold Palmer.

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

[featured courses]

t

Falcon ridge Golf course Mesquite golffalcon.com 702-346-6363 LAS VEGAS GOLF CLUB Las Vegas lasvegasgc.com/co 702.646.3003 THE LEGACY Golf Club Las Vegas thelegacygc.com/co 702-897-2187 PAINTED DESERT Golf club Las Vegas painteddesertgc.com/co 702-645-2570 palmer at oasis Golf Club Mesquite theoasisgolfclub.com 888-367-3386 primm Valley Golf Club Primm primmvalleyresorts.com/golf 702-679-5509 RIO SECCO Golf Club Henderson riosecco.net 702-777-2400 Silverstone Golf Club Las Vegas silverstonegolf.com 702-562-3770

ention Mesquite, Nevada to any golfer and a certain course of lupine derivation invariably comes up. But players who want a more complete Mesquite golf experience call Golf Mesquite Nevada. GMN, a one-stop shop for expert vacation planning and assistance, can package tee times at the Canyons and Palmer courses at Oasis Golf Club, Coyote Springs, Falcon Ridge, as well as the Utah courses of Sand Hollow and Coral Canyon only 35 minutes away. The service also arrages for dining, entertainment, canyon tours, spa treatments and other forms of recreation. golfmesquitenevada.com

t Falcon ridge golf Club

NEVADA

Spanish Trail Country Club Las Vegas spanishtrailcc.com 702-364-5050

To book golf packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

Oasis Palmer

18 IS OKAY IN VEGAS IF THEY’RE TEE SHOTS THIS WINTER

HITTING ON

On the Las Vegas blackjack tables, hitting on 18 is normally frowned upon.

However, on the golf course it’s not frowned upon, its expected. So hit 18...36...or as many holes as you can handle from the OB Sports Collection of spectacular golf courses in Las Vegas.

Check out obsports.com/vegasco or contact each course for details.

ANGEL PARK GC angelpark.com/co 702.254.4653 LAS VEGAS GC lasvegasgc.com/co 702.646.3003

DURANGO HILLS GC durangohillsgolf.com/co 702.229.4653

THE LEGACY GC thelegacygc.com/co 702.897.2187 PAINTED DESERT GC painteddesertgc.com/co 702.645.2570

THE LEGACY

PAINTED DESERT

ANGEL PARK GC

LAS VEGAS GC

DURANGO HILLS

VEGAS GOLF

LIFESTYLE | What to Do

NEVADA

35 Thirty-five different songs now accompany the iconic fountains in front of the 4,000-room Bellagio, but with all that’s going on in Vegas, who has time to listen? Whether it’s a show at Caesars, dinner at Nobu, a visit to the Mob Museum or a night of partying and blackjack, vegas.com is your one-stop planning resource.

Bellagio

Room or Sweet?

t

Dessert, not breakfast, is

Eureka’s Mason St. Courtyard

World Cuisine t The Mason Street Courtyard at Mesquite’s Eureka Hotel combines the best of Chinese, Hawaiian, Italian and American cuisines in hearty dishes. Along with Char

the most important meal of the day—especially if it takes the form of one of Jean-Phillipe Maury’s carefully crafted chocolates, cookies, cakes and crepes. Indulge in his confectioner’s art at his restaurants at the Bellagio and Aria hotels.

siu pork, pot stickers and penne are such clever items as the Bagel Burger with chive cream cheese and the traditional Hawaiian Loco Moco.

Wild Ridest If catching Britney Spears at Planet Hollywood isn’t thrilling enough, strap into the El Loco roller coaster at Adventuredome. Or see the Red Rock mountains and the Strip from 490 feet above ground (and 33 mph) while For more hot spots go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

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riding the Rio’s Voodoo Zipline. Or ask about the even wilder Slotzilla ride—and hope it’s not open.

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

coloradoav id go lf e r.c o m/t r ave l

Twice named Golfweek’s top public course in Utah, Sand Hollow’s colorful 7,300-yard Championship course may be easier to shoot with a camera than with 14 clubs. It’s Links 9 is every bit as good, and onsite lodging makes it easy to take on all 27 John Foughtdesigned holes.

Sand Hollow

Coral Canyon

Golf | Where to Tee It Up

27

A Saintly Service the nation’s fastest growing places to live also makes it one of the most popular golf Utah’s Dixie.

call “Color Country,” spans 7,029 yards. The Keith Foster design affords breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon’s snowcapped pink spires in the winter and Zion National Park’s green springtime bloom.

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perches on sandstone cliffs 900 feet above the St. George Valley, with each hole on this 7,200-yard Matt Dye creation rewarding players with amazing vistas. The Ledges is also home to the Billy Casper Golf Academy.

Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2014

Dixie Red Hills Golf Club St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com 435-627-4444 Entrada at Snow Canyon CC St. George golfentrada.com 435-986-2207 Green Spring Golf Course Washington washingtoncity.org/golf 435-673-7888 The Ledges Golf Course St. George ledges.com; 435-634-4600 The Ranches Golf Club Eagle Mountain theranchesgolfclub.com 801-789-8100 Sand Hollow Golf Club Hurricane sandhollowresort.com 435-656-4653 Sky Mountain Golf Course Hurricane skymountaingolf.com 435-635-7888

SunRiver Golf Club St. George sunriver.com/golf 435-986-0001

t Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, a

private Johnny Miller Signature layout, allows play from guests of the Inn at Entrada.

The course traverses 7,085 yards of red rocks, mountain streams and dramatic ancient black lava flows.

Coral Canyon Golf Course Washington coralcanyongolf.com 435-688-1700

Sunbrook Golf Course St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com 435-627-4400

destinations. Eleven courses, all within a 40-minute radius, dot the region known as

t The Ledges Golf Course

[featured courses]

Southgate Golf Club St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com 435-627-4444

The temperate climate and surreal topography that make the St. George area one of

t Coral Canyon Golf Club, located in what many

UTAH

ST. George Golf Club St. George stgeorgecitygolf.com 435-627-4404

To book golf packages go to coloradoavidgolfer.com

thanksgiving point Golf Club Lehi thanksgivingpoint.org 801-768-7400

RED ROCK Courses

10 St. George-area courses—plus Mesquite’s Falcon Ridge—comprise the Red Rock Golf Trail, a free service provided by the St. George Area Convention & Tourism Office that automatically calculates green fees and hotel prices for a total golf package rate. The trail consists of Coral Canyon, Falcon Ridge, Dixie Red Hills, Green Spring, The Ledges, Sand Hollow, Sky Mountain, Southgate, Sunbrook, SunRiver and St. George. redrockgolftrail.com.

11 COURSES.

207 HOLES. 365 DAYS. EVERY REASON TO PLAY.

ST. GEORGE, UTAH This year-round golf destination has packages to fit any golfer’s skill level, schedule and pocketbook. And now, getting here is easy! Fly SGU direct via United.

COURSES. ROOMS. DISCOUNTS. FLIGHTS. RedRockGolf.com 888.345.2550

coloradoavidgolfer.com/travel

Fall 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

115

The sumptuous Inn at Entrada sets into the vermillion cliffs less than 10 miles from Tuacahn Amphitheater and 50 from Zion National Park. Featuring 44 rooms and casitas, The Inn offers playing privileges at the private Snow Canyon Country Club, as well as pulse-quickening views of the natural black lava flows, the limestone mountain of Snow Canyon State Park, and the magnificient red rock cliffs that make St. George unique. innatentrada.com

LODGING

50

UTAH

[featured resorts]

t

The inn at entrada St. George innatentrada.com 435-634-7100 Red Mountain Resort Ivins redmountainresort.com 877-246-4453 Sand Hollow Golf Resort Hurricane sandhollowresort.com 435-656-4653 The inn at St. George St. George innstgeorge.com 855-222-3301

Inn at Entrada

CAG - Vanguard Falcon - Coral half page 1.indd 1

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LIFESTYLE

OVERTHETOP Utah

The proximity of St. George to the geological riches of Snow Canyon State Park and Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks makes it an ideal home base. Explore these treasures on day hikes, or go boating in Sand Hollow State Park or mountain bike along the Anasazi Trail.

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Courses Hotels Amenities Rates

10 Courses 189 Holes 365 Days

#WhatOffSeason

RED ROCK GOLF TRAIL

My Golf Trip Planner

RedRockGolf .com

It’s time for a golf getaway, and you’re ready for some serious tee time. How about a new golf destination with a small town atmosphere and big time golf? There is a place where you can get away and focus on your game.

Comfortably nestled in the southwest corner of Utah, St. George is only 90 minutes north of Las Vegas right on I-15. Experience impeccable greens, impressive accommodations and eclectic dining, with plenty of other great activites to keep you busy while you’re not on the greens.

The Red Rock Golf Trail will take you for the ride of your life without breaking the bank!

We’ve got 10 challenging courses to choose from. Play

them all if you dare! That’s 189 holes to get your game on. Oh, and not to mention we’re open for play 365 days a year. In this dry and temperate desert climate it’s always good weather for golf.

Off season? No such thing in St. George.

With nine franchised hotels that offer resonable rates, comfortable beds and hearty breakfasts, you’ll find accomodations that meet your expectations.

So pack your bags, shine your clubs, and get a new sleeve of your favorite golf balls because by the time you’re done with this brochure you’ll be booking the golf trip of your dreams. You’ll see how affordable and easy it is on the Red Rock Golf Trail.

Get your

There is a Place...

Game On!

Courses

|||

Sunbrook Course Info

The Point - Hole 5 Sunbrook Golf Club is right in town and has a great variety of what the Red Rock Golf Trail has to offer. Play from the top of the bluffs to the desert floor. Shoot through black lava rock and try to avoid the red sand traps. With beautiful views of red rock formations and nearby alpine moun-

In

1 of 10 | | Holes......27 Par........108 Yards......10,240 Rating.....73.0 Slope......137 Golf Pro...Reed McArthur Tel........435.627.4400

TOwn

tians, you’ll be in awe over the amazing landscapes that surround this course.

Bridges, water hazards and elevation drops make every hole an adventure. There is even a par 3 island hole that will leave you dreaming about a hole in one.

The Ledges Course Info 2 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........72 Yards......7145 Rating.....74.2 Slope......137 Golf Pro...Michael Sweet Tel........435.634.4640

- Hole 12

The Ledges Golf Club comes with unique views of it’s own. The red rock panoramas from the rim of Snow Canyon State Park make you feel like you’re playing golf in a postcard. Designed by renowned golf course architect Matt Dye this course has a friendly atmosphere

with an upscale pro shop and delightful restaurant.

Four separate tee boxes with long and open fairways promise a rewarding round for everyone in your group. The front nine is set up well to help you break in your driver, and the back nine is a great test to see how well you can control your irons.

Most

||| Courses YardaGe

Sand Hollow Course Info 3 of 10 | | Holes......27 Par........108 Yards......10,310 Rating.....73.7 Slope......137 Golf Pro...Adam Jasperson Tel........435.656.4653

Sand Hollow Golf Club has it’s own standard for unique course design that includes an 18 hole championship track as well as a walkable 9 hole links style course. Have you ever played golf on a cliff? Well, get ready because on this John Fought course, you might find yourself teeing one off

over the edge just to see how far you can make it fly. Combine that with the reflecting sunset on the Virgin River as you finish your round and you’ll be wishing you had your best buddy there with you (and I don’t mean your new driver).

Sky Mountain Course Info 4 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........72 Yards......6363 Rating.....70.9 Slope......131 Golf Pro...Kent Abegglen Tel........435.635.7888

Sky Mountain is as scenic as it is challenging. Don’t be fooled by the yardage, you’ll earn every stroke here. But when you shave one or two off, it’s all the more satisfying. The course is appropriately named for the amazing views from the

elevated tee boxes. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself gazing off at the cliffs of Zion National Park and the azure rim of the Pine Valley Mountains in the distance. Anywhere you look and anytime you play, it’s simply gorgeous!

RedRockGolf .com

Falcon Ridge Course Info

Desert

5 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........72 Yards......6550 Rating.....71.6 Slope......138 Golf Pro...Brian Wursten Tel........702.346.6363

Gem

Falcon Ridge Golf Club is another desert gem on the Red Rock Golf Trail. Just 40 minutes south of St. George, it’s totally worth the drive. This course has so many water features you’ll forget you’re golfing in the desert. With all its elevated tee boxes you’ll see a side of golf you’ve never seen before.

Watch out for the white sand bunkers just ready to swallow up your strays. Scoring opportunities come quickly at first, and good thing because you’ll definitely need the extra strokes later. Bring everyting you’ve got for this one, including your smile - you’ll be glad you did.

Coral Canyon Tactical Strategy | Hole 6 Par 3 Yards 122 -1 shot to the green -Long putt for the birdie

-Avoid the ball-eating bunnies

Coral Canyon Golf Club is all about the colors. You will be amazed at how green the fairways are in this rustic desert. The way the sunshine and blue skies brighten up the greens will make you feel like you’re playing golf in paradise. The fair-

Course Info 6 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........72 Yards......7029 Rating.....73.5 Slope......142 Golf Pro...Ben Hollibaugh Tel........435.688.1700

ways here are wide and nicely forgiving – so go ahead, flex your muscles and go for your longest drive. The most common thing golfers say about Coral Canyon is just how fun it is.

Golf? Fun? Hmmm, now there’s an idea.

RedRockGolf .com

Green Spring Course Info 7 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........72 Yards......6859 Rating.....73.5 Slope......138 Golf Pro...Nick Neeley Tel........435.673.7888

might find yourself wanting to tee off a couple extra balls just to see if you can cut the corner to the green. This course will leave you with plenty of great stories and a deep desire to return for another chance to try again.

Local

Green Spring Golf Club is a favorite among locals and guests. Holes 5 and 6 have you shooting across red rock ravines that will get your heart racing. There is plenty of water here to have fun with, especially on number 15. You

TradiTiOn

St. George Course Info 9 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........73 Yards......7217 Rating.....73.7 Slope......126 Golf Pro...James Hood Tel........435.627.4404

St. George Golf Club is another course you won’t want to miss. Open since 1976, this course is a local tradition with large greens that make for long and rewarding putts. It’s another great course to walk to mix a little exercise in

with your game. There are three par 3’s over water that you’ll have fun with, along with a couple holes where the greens are on a small peninsula.

As the only par 73 on the trail, you’ll see why this course has been a favorite forever.

Courses

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Southgate Course Info 8 of 10 | | Holes......18 Par........71 Yards......6270 Rating.....69.2 Slope......119 Golf Pro...Eron Deming Tel........435.627.4440

Adding

Southgate can be a walkable course for those looking to mix a little exercise in with their golf game. This is a “doable” course that weaves alongside the Santa Clara river – just close enough to make it beautiful and keep the game interesting. Eight of the first nine holes have water features, so you’ve got to be

accurate. But the fairways are wide, so there’s usually a safe place to play. The back nine, however, is a different story. The narrow fairways and hills make you justify your front nine score. If you’re not happy with your results, Southgate also has a game improvement center with PGA professionals to help you dial things in.

exercise

Dixie Red Hills Course Info 10 of 10 | | Holes......9 Par........34 Yards......2733 Rating.....66.1 Slope......119 Golf Pro...Allen Orchard Tel........435.627.4444

Dixie Red Hills is the pioneer of St. George golf, opening for play in the mid 1960’s. If you want to play in the red rocks, you can’t get any closer than this. You’ll be calling shots off the boulders, around the cliffs and through the

trees as you find your way to the green. The fairways are lined with large cottonwood trees which are great for shade and keeping your game on track. It’s a perfect place for a quick nine holes right in the heart of St. George.

Jet Air Service

Via Denver and Salt Lake

St. George Utah Airport is conveniently located only 15 minutes from town with flights on United Airlines via Denver and Delta Airlines via Salt Lake City. With these major connecting hubs, you can fly right in to our state-of-the-art SGU municipal airport literally any-

where from around the world.

Not finding a flight connection? No problem. Golfers love that we are just 90 minutes north of Las Vegas which has hundreds of flights every day.

So what are you waiting for?

You’ll find everything you’ve been looking for, more affordably than you could imagine and more scenic than you’ll believe.

destination

Destination

with endless options Aside from impresseive golf courses, St. George offers a wide variety of additional activities. Only 40 minutes away, the world-renowned Zion National Park attracts over 3 million visitors each year.

Here you can hike the famous Narrows and Subway slot canyons, or take in the grandeur of the Great White Throne and

Angels Landing. It’s an experience that will change your life.

That’s why people come to St. George over and over again, because there are endless affordable options for both the soft adverturer and the adrenaline junkie. We’ve got it all. That’s why we’ve adopted the slogan “Everything from A to Zion.”

365 days of Play

My Golf Trip Planner

So stop day dreaming. It’s time to make it reality. Go to RedRockGolf.com, and click on My Golf Trip Planner. Really, it’s that easy. Before you know it you’ll be on your way and enjoying the golf adventure of your dreams.

Weather Information

Month Ave.Temp January 54 February 54 March 66 April 74 May 85 June 95 July 102 August 99 September 92 October 80 November 65 December 55

Precip. .9 in. .9 in. .9 in. .5 in. .4 in. .2 in. .6 in. .6 in. .6 in. .7 in. .6 in. .9 in.

Season peak peak peak peak peak off off off peak peak off off

Package Rates Peak Season 4 Nights 4 Rounds

$636

ALL MORNING BRONCOS TALK EVERY

15 MINUTES

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home base

to

BASE CAMP For more than 60 years, from the Front Range to the High Country, Koelbel has been privileged to participate in the evolution of Colorado real estate, including today’s top-performing communities. Whether your goal is a primary residence or a mountain getaway to enjoy the things that matter most, Koelbel covers all the bases.

HOME BASE ON THE FRONT RANGE l 303.300.8820

The Preserve at Greenwood Village—Only 22 homesites remain in this renowned luxury custom home community. preservegv.com or call 303-999-1982 Townhomes @ INDUSTRY—Exciting brownstone-inspired urban homes in Denver’s hip RiNo District. By Koelbel Urban Homes (KUH). liveatindustry.com TrailCrossing at Lee Hill—Single-family homes for easy urban living in dynamic NoBo (North Boulder). A KUH offering. Pre-sales in September 2014. trailcrossingboulder.com

BASE CAMP IN THE HIGH COUNTRY l 970.726.5177

Rendezvous Colorado in Winter Park—A four-season resort/2nd-home community “base camp” for every conceivable Colorado adventure. rendezvouscolorado.com Grand Elk Golf Community in Granby—This 2nd-home community at the Colorado River headwaters boasts a masterpiece golf course. koelbelatgrandelk.com

For more information, please contact Dana Keller at 303.300.8820.