State of Play

The Jewel of Grand Junction

An emphasis on hospitality enriches the experience at The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa.

By Jon Rizzi

WESTERN SLOPE RATING:

The clubhouse patio firepit (opposite) provides a perfect perch. Clockwise from above: one of the course’s 27,000 annual rounds; the delectable Ocotillo; pool members come from both the community and town. Grand Junction turned into a golf destination when the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa opened alongside the Colorado National Monument in 2001. Climbing, snaking and plummeting through vivid red-rock outcroppings, architect Jim Engh’s surreal layout was as thrilling to play as it was to see—and after Golf Digest named it the “Best New Affordable Public Golf Course” in the country, golfers came in droves.

Twenty-one years later, they still do. Only now, the surrounding 500-acre development sports 200 residences, and the former real-estate sales office now houses the golf shop. This arrangement allows the clubhouse to function as more of a hospitality space—not only for itinerant golfers, but for the growing number of neighbors, members of the men’s and women’s leagues and Grand Valley residents looking to play a memorable round or enjoy a special meal at Ocotillo Restaurant. Members of the pool club may also swing by for a swim.

A public course with a pool is but one of the changes Sandra and David Weckerly have brought to Redlands Mesa since buying it five years ago. The couple originally arrived from Niwot to retire in 2015, but David, who had worked as managing director for the development’s previous owner, had other ideas, as did Sandra. David reformulated the real-estate business model, leading to more than 160 sales, and Sandra, who has a background in restaurants and hospitality, became the general manager.

“We started treating it like a resort,” she says. “Every day you’re here, you should feel like you’re on vacation.” They remodeled, repainted and recarpeted, converting the boozy boy’s club atmosphere in the grill into the casually elegant Ocotillo, which serves as many golfers as nongolfers in its dining room and on its deck.

A righteous selection of cocktails, beer and wine complements Executive Chef Jose Anés’ wide-ranging lunch and dinner menus. His flair for sazón is evident in the ahi wontons, street tacos and grilled salmon with salsa verde. And if you must have a burger, make it the Ocotillo—with fried egg, bacon, Swiss and caper truffle aioli.

Men’s and women’s league members have access to the club’s golf simulator, and the 150-member outdoor pool club has a waiting list. The lower level hosts receptions for tournaments and events like weddings, which spill onto an expansive event lawn where people once putted. “There’s still a practice green,” Westerly notes, “and plenty of room on the range.”

There’s also room to build some type of lodging, which the Westerlys know would complete the “resort” experience. Until that happens, many Grand Junction hotels offer stay-and-play packages.

Thanks to ownership investment and Superintendent Kass Severson, the golf course remains as good as ever, with in-season rates between $75 and $120 (including cart) per person.

To book a tee time 14 days in advance, visit redlandsmesa.com.

“EVERY DAY YOU’RE HERE, YOU SHOULD FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ON VACATION.”