MAY 2014

PLAY WELL, DO GOOD: Our Annual List of 100+ Charity Events

coloradoavidgolfer.com

Fish and Chip The Colorado Golfer’s Guide to Fly-Fishing

Rising Rockies Star

Elevating the Game.

In LEHMAN’s terms The Tour star’s “softening” of

Ironbridge Golf Club

Nolan Arenado

makes the once-brutal beauty a must-play

10 Ways to Tee Up Mom 19 Rounds with Lewis & Clark

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Contents 2 0 14 MAY 2

In Every Issue 4 Forethoughts

A Good Ride Spoiled.

By Jon Rizzi

Features 22 Gear

Mother’s Day gifts for golfers.

Sidebets CAG Nation poll and 25 Fareways

8 ’net Score

reader’s reptilian photo submission.

Evergreen’s Keys on the Green, Willow Creek and Tuscany Tavern.

By Gary James

11 The Gallery

CommonGround sets to reopen; a surprise at The First Tee; Golf Bikes and Boards; more.

68 The Games

of Golf

30 Nice Drives

Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport, Audi A8L TDI and BMW 328i GT.

By Isaac Bouchard

olan Arenado, the N Rockies slick-fielding third baseman, has a major-league golf game. By Sam Adams

20 Lesson

he importance of T weight transfer. By Nathan Morris

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

Tom Lehman Moves Mountains

By “softening” Ironbridge Golf Club’s layout, the player-architect helps forge a new identity for the Glenwood Springs community. By Jon Rizzi

54

Fish & Chips

Colorado’s exceptional waters invite golfers to land a fly as skillfully as they would an approach shot.

By Kim D. McHugh

60

Next on the Tee: Lewis and Clark

Elevated Tease.

Player’s Corner 17 Profile

38

44

North Dakota’s 19-course golf trail has been 200 years in the making. By Denny Dressman

Tee and Charity

Our annual statewide calendar of 116 Classics, Tournaments, Challenges and Cups— all with the goal of contributing to the greater good. Plus: How to play Sanctuary.

On The Cover Tom Lehman on hole 15 at Ironbridge Golf Club, Glenwood Springs. Photograph by Dick Durrance II/Drinker-Durrance Photography

Forethoughts

A Good Ride Spoiled

i

s golf a sport or a game? The debate is older than the course

4

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

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F O R E T H O U G H T S P H O T O BY T e d M c I n tyre

at St. Andrews. Another hot-button topic is whether the use of carts during a round disqualifies the activity as “golf.” Proponents of perambulation maintain that endurance is part of the game (or the sport…whatever) and deride the four-wheeled version as “cart golf.”

One such advocate recently piped up after declining an invitation from the Rocky Mountain Golf Writers Association to play golf at a wonderful private, cart-only facility built on fairly extreme terrain. He argued that courses such as the one in question “exist for some combination of three reasons: they are designed to sell real estate; they are built by a club or other entity for whom cart fees constitute a significant revenue stream; they are built on land that probably shouldn’t be used for golf in the first place.”

His points have merit, especially when you consider the origins of golf and the manner in which just about any sanctioning body of note—including the Colorado Golf Association, R&A, USGA, PGA Tour and LPGA Tour—conducts its competitions. But the Rules of Golf—the stated purpose of which is to “guard the tradition and integrity of the game”—includes carts in its definition of “equipment.”

Taking issue with golf carts reminds me a little of the multiple generations of kilted Scotsmen portrayed in the “Play in the Now” commercials for Nike’s RZN ball. (“Guttie? You start hitting the ball 180 yards, someone’s gonna get hurt!”) The comparison is even more apt, as two hip new products, the Golf Bike and the Golf Board (see page 12), are generating the kind of buzz golf carts received when they began appearing in the 1950s.

I’ve walked and I’ve ridden. I prefer the former, because I like the exercise and I seem to score better, but I don’t eschew or disparage the latter. I also believe that if it weren’t for carts, golf would not enjoy the philanthropic reputation it enjoys today. For example, Dave and Gail Liniger could never have built a magnificent course like Sanctuary amid the rugged, pine-studded precipices near Daniels Park, and some $80 million would never have gone to the dozens of charities that annually host their tournaments on the exclusive cart-only enclave. (For a full calendar of charity tournaments at Sanctuary and other Colorado courses, see page 44).

Without carts, many mountain layouts wouldn’t exist, including the one featured on this issue’s cover. Ironbridge Golf Club, an 11-year-old Arthur Hills design south of downtown Glenwood Springs, features nine miles of cart paths and 500 feet of elevation gain. New owners bought the semi-private course out of bankruptcy last year and, knowing its difficulty (143 slope), enlisted Tom Lehman to “soften” it. As you’ll read on page 38, the inspired way in which Lehman has interpreted that mandate reflects his philosophy towards golf—not as a “game” or even a “sport” but as challenging fun enjoyed by young and old, men and women, scratch players and rank beginners. If riding between shots enhances their enjoyment, so much the better. It might not be the the same “golf ” Old Tom Morris knew. It is, however, an activity Not-So-Old Tom Lehman and members of future generations can embrace.

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May 2014 Volume 13, Number 2 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 Kubié, 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

Vanessa Van Horn Projects

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2 FREE Preferred Clientele Club Memberships! ($70 value)

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Special Events Intern

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Digital

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Editorial Intern

Alexandra Bohren 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 #B-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 12, Number Eight. 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 © 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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CAGNation

ANCHOR, MAN! Coloradan Kevin Stadler’s T-8 finish in the Masters earned him an exemption into next year’s tournament at Augusta National. Like 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, Stadler navigated the greens using an anchored stroke with a long putter— and, chances are, he’ll probably do so again next April. But that will be the last time. As the world knows, the USGA and R&A have banned the anchored putting stroke as of January 1, 2016.

In light of the forthcoming ban, what do you think of players who continue to anchor while competing with their long putters?

 I now think less of them  It doesn’t bother me  I ROOT FOR THEM

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’net

DIALOG

Score

connect with us

BELLY ACHE: Stadler has 19 months to drop anchor.

Cast your vote at coloradoavidgolfer.com/list/nation.

What’d You Shoot?

G

olf wasn’t the only action on the 18th fairway during last year’s HealthONE Colorado Open.

What were these two bullsnakes doing? “It’s most likely courtship and then copulation,” says Rick Haeffner, Senior Curator of Reptiles and Fishes at the Denver Zoo. “Male-to-male combat also looks similar but the photo is a bit too far away for me to determine if it’s two males or a pair.”

The former explanation seems more plausible—even for this family magazine.

Do you have a cool golf-related photo to share?

Email it to kate@coloradoavidgolfer.com, along with the story behind it. We’ll post the photos online and publish our favorites in upcoming issues.

Get inside deals, stories and more at coloradoavidgolfer.com

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May Lose Value

theGallery NEWS

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NOTES

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NAMES

PPh hotogr o t o g r aapph h sBy Byj eremy E J C ARRc a ( tnota p )l a n mess d je r a e m y c a n ta l a m e s s a

An Uncommon Turnaround

S

even months after needing a boat to navigate the flooded fairways of Aurora’s CommonGround Golf Course, PGA Director of Golf Dave Troyer walks up to the 12th green, which had been underwater for “about a month” after last September’s flood, killing the turf. On this April day, a rich bentgrass putting surface radiates beneath his feet, the result of a decision by the Colorado Golf Association to sod rather than reseed the putting surfaces on this and four other severely damaged holes (Nos. 5, 6, 11 and 14). “Seeding is always better and less expensive than sodding,” Troyer says, “but we figured sodding would allow us to reopen the whole course four to six weeks sooner than originally planned, and the revenue generated during that time would offset

c o l o r a d o a v i d g o l f er. c om

the additional cost, which was about $100,000.” (In total, the physical repairs ran $350,000, and factoring in lost revenue, the flood cost CommonGround about $1.2 million—none of it covered by insurance.)

So, instead of reopening in July with seeded greens, all 18 holes at CommonGround—which since the flood has operated with only its nine easternmost holes—will now reopen May 29 with a tournament and dedication of a community putting green. Higher handicappers might struggle with the tight lies on the re-seeded fairways, Troyer warns, but the bunkers and greens will mostly play as they previously had. “By the end of the summer you won’t see any difference between the new greens and existing ones,” promises Superintendent Bobby Martin, whom Troyer credits with much of the success of the recovery. In addition to the maintenance

COMEBACK KIDS: CommonGround Superintendent Bobby Martin and PGA Director of Golf Dave Troyer on 12 green.

crews, praise also goes to former USGA agronomist Matt Nelson of Magic Valley Bentgrass, who delivered 46,000 square feet of perfect Dominant X sod, and to Jim Urbina and Eric Iverson, two of CommonGround’s architects, who volunteered many hours to ensure the integrity of the greens.

The integrity of the entire facility, which hosts scores of junior golf programs and gained national attention as the companion course to Cherry Hills during the 2012 U.S. Amateur, will also remain intact. Two of the bridges may have washed away and all the pump house equipment required replacement, but CommonGround will open at month’s end. To see how far they’ve come, all Troyer and Martin have to do is look at the high-water mark some 20 feet up the ridge just north of the 12th green. 303-340-1520; commongroundgc.com

May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

11

theGallery

Easy Riders

Surprise!

Remember walking between shots? Pretty soon you might not even remember driving a cart between them. Arvada’s Indian Tree Golf Course has long rented out Segways, and this summer Vail Golf Club will introduce the Golf Bike. “They’re perfect for golfers who have trouble walking the course, but would prefer to not ride a cart,” PGA Director of Golf Alice Plain says. “It will be a unique experience for golfers of all abilities and the fun-factor will be priceless.” Designed

by Florida-based Higher Ground Bicycling Company, the low-impact Golf Bike will cost $15 for an 18-hole round and no doubt appeal to Vail’s fitness-minded and environmentally conscious clientele. The course will

have four available to rent this summer.

And, in related news, another ambulation alternative has washed up on the shores of Kauai. Beginning this month, the Princeville Makai Golf Club will offer Golf Board rentals. You can literally surf the turf on the snowboard-like device that won Best New Product at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show. It features plenty of power, 4-wheel drive a removable stand-up balance bar and bag holder. Demand for the board’s been “overwhelming,” according to a Golf Board representative. More than 150 courses across the country have pre-ordered them, with one management firm in for 2,000. Which Colorado courses will get them first? golfbike.com; golfboard.com

The First Tee of Denver awarded its first-ever scholarships to Brooke Barlock and Maggie Hartman during a recent awards ceremony at City Park Golf Course. Both recipients arrived thinking only one scholarship was being offered. “Not only were the finalists surprised, but so were our Core Value Society Members, staff and the participants’ family’s,” said Paula Purifoy, Executive Director for The First Tee of Denver. “There was a flicker of disappointment, but then the whole room lit up with elation!” Barlock, a senior at Regis Jesuit High School, has worked for The First Tee of Denver for the last three summers teaching younger kids golf lessons and valuable life skills. Hartman, a freshman at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, has participated in The First Tee of Denver for more than 12 years and has mentored hundreds of kids.

Pictured above: Scott O’Sullivan, Board President; Brooke Barlock; Maggie Hartman; Mary Reed Wolff, Board Secretary; Josh Rudolph, Board VP; Jeremy McKamey, Board Treasurer; Scott Rethlake and Y. E. Scott, Board Members. 720-865-3427; thefirstteeofdenver.com

experience Colorado High country golf at The Ridge.

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Golf By Numbers

55

years after opening, Montrose’s Black Canyon Golf Club passed from private to public ownership. In February, the majority of the 1,015 shareholders in the Montrose Land Company, which built, owned and operated the course, approved a $675,000 buyout from the City of Montrose, which is now running the facility. 970-249-4653; blackcanyongolfclub.com

9

more holes, bringing the total to 36, will begin construction June 1 at Durango’s Glacier Club. Scheduled to open no later than spring 2017, the new nine will complete the longawaited Glacier Course, an 18-hole Hale Irwin-Todd Schoeder Signature Design that will complement the club’s original Arthur Hills-designed Cliffs Course. According to General Manager Jim Goodman, “This completes the original golf vision for our members, to have a world-class venue

among all men’s collegiate golfers is where Oklahoma State’s Wyndham Clark ranked as of April 11. Clark, who twice won the High School 4A championship while at Valor Christian, had more wins against Top 100 golfers than any other player in the Top 10. Look for the redshirt freshman to lead the 4th-ranked Cowboys into the NCAA Championship, held May 22-28 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas.

4

weeks of Dr. Bill Campbell’s “Come Back to Golf ” program can help players return to the game after surgery, illness or an accident with minimal pain and maximum enjoyment. Held at CommonGround Golf Course, the first of the 4-week clinics (May 10) addresses balance, mobility, stability and attitude, as well as course and practice strategies. “All we ask is that all participants are able to stand unaided and swing a golf club,” Campbell says.

303-907-0215; commongroundgc.com

60 Wyndham Clark

courses, including Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines and St. Andrews, are waiting in Longmont at Front Range Indoor Golf & Tap. In addition to perfect-weather rounds, the facility’s three state-of-the-art simulators serve as practice and in-

Glacier Club

structional areas, where PGA Professionals on staff utilize high speed cameras to detect club head speed, ball compression, ball spin and other data. Front Range pours a dozen beers on tap and offers reasonably priced memberships, takes tee time reservations a week in advance and welcomes walk-in play. 720-3404867; frontrangegolf.com CAG

Got a Gallery item? E-mail it to jon@coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

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6

that includes an opportunity for a members-only course and a semiprivate course within a resort setting.” Plans also include golf villas for couples or friends on a golf vacation.

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COURSES

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GIFTS

Nolan Arenado, the Rockies slick-fielding third baseman, has a major-league golf game. By Sam Adams

T

he Arizona sun has barely had time to heat up the Colorado Rockies’ spring training facility at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, and third baseman Nolan Arenado has already worked up an early-morning sweat in the batting cage.

His bat joins him as he enters the team’s posh clubhouse to talk golf.

And he spends the 30 minutes of our conversation constantly gripping, squeezing and re-gripping it in much the same way Sergio Garcia or Kevin

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

Na incessantly fidget with their clubs.

Despite the restless energy, Arenado was a rock-steady performer for the Rockies in 2013. He had a respectable batting average and turned his leather mitt into gold, becoming the first rookie third baseman from the National League to win Rawlings’ prestigious Gold Glove Award. The playful, sometimes antsy 23-year-old appears to be just a few short bounces away from stardom in Major League Baseball.

When Arenado pulls the Nike-

made 7-iron from his bag, he transforms into a Silver Slugger. “It’s the club I hit best,” he says. Arenado learned to play golf as a youngster growing up in Lake Forest, Calif.

His interest in the sport diminished as his love of baseball blossomed.

Then, three years ago, when he was promoted to the Rockies’ Double AA team in Tulsa, the golf bug bit him again and it bit him hard.

“I had a lot of bad rounds but it was fun to start playing again, really get into it and fight to get that good

round,” says Arenado, who’s best score to date is an 82 but feels confident he’ll break 80 much sooner than later. “If I’m on with my driver I feel like I’ll have a good round, but if my driver is off I’m in trouble, that’s for sure. And if I don’t practice putting before I go out, I’m in trouble.”

Speed on the greens is one thing, but speed on the basepaths is quite another. With only two stolen bases last year, it’s highly unlikely Arenado will ever join baseball’s 30-30 club for home runs and stolen bases. But

May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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a .300 batting average and 300- His middle name is Brooks—after but not the power numbers teams yard drives aren’t a bad pair. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. crave from a corner infielder.

Rockies’ Senior Vice-President Geivett believes Arenado’s ofNolan is named after Hall of Fame of Major League Operations Bill pitcher Nolan Ryan. fensive numbers will improve Geivett expects Arenado to ap“Yeah, I got issues,” Fernando in 2014 because he’ll be more proach the former; he’s already Arenado playfully confesses when familiar and comfortable facing witnessed the latter. asked about his sons’ names. “His pitching at the major-league level.

Last December, Geivett, Aremother and I used to play co-ed The improvements in his hitting nado and Oakland A’s third base softball together. I played short didn’t go unnoticed during spring coach (and former Rockies coach) training. “I don’t think everybody or third, and she played second.

Mike Gallego played a round at realizes there’s a true middle-ofThey’d always make fun of me and Yorba Linda Country Club in the-order run production guy in say Nolan got his arm from her.

California. At the par-3 seventh “He’s living my dreams, and there,” Geivett says. hole, Gallego and Geivett went I’m very grateful and thankful. I Bat in hand, Arenado appears into “scouting” mode. always knew he was special with ready to step up at the plate, but “We said, ‘Let’s eyeball this the glove. He made plays other he flashes a giddy grin at the menthing and see what we’ve got here kids his age didn’t make.” tion of Robinson—considered the with our boy,’” Geivett says. “He Fernando Arenado taught his greatest fielding third baseman in holds off an 8-iron from about 165 middle son how to play golf and history. yards, and that ball took off like a enjoys beating him “just to keep Arenado met Robinson last guy who plays. To watch him nat- him grounded,” he says. “But he winter at the Gold Glove awards urally hold off, keep the face open, drives the heck out of the ball, hits dinner in New York. Nicknamed square to the target . . . we looked the 6-iron 200 yards. It’s crazy.” the “Human Vacuum Cleaner,” at each other and said, ‘This guy Arenado’s steady golf partner Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves can play.’ during his 23-year “He’s got great feel. career.

Some of the things you Arenado had only see in his baseball swing, 11 errors in 411 fieldyou see in his golf swing. ing chances in 2013.

He can hit the ball a “I haven’t seen Nolong way and when he lan play, but I’m cerhits the middle of the tainly going to keep club face, it definitely an eye on him now,” looks like a guy who’s an Robinson says. “If you upper-end player.” win a Gold Glove, Arenado’s trip to the that’s pretty special. upper-end of baseball To win one in your GOLD STANDARDS: Arenado and Brooks Robinson. began as a shortsop at El first year in the big Toro High School. But his plans is his long-time friend, Trayce leagues, that’s impressive.” to attend Arizona State on a baseThompson, a prospect in the Winning a Gold Glove as a ball scholarship changed after he Chicago White Sox organization rookie bodes well for what both was selected 59th overall in Major whose brother, Klay, is a rising star Arenado and the Rockies hope League Baseball’s 2009 amateur guard for the Golden State War- will develop into a long relationdraft. He immediately signed a riors. Their father, Mychal, played ship. “They see me as a guy that professional contract, and last 13 seasons in the National Basket- has to work hard to get better,” April he made his major-league ball Association.

Arenado says. “I think they’re debut with the Rockies.

Thompson and Arenado stage happy that I play hard. One day I In his second game, he started their own off-season golf “tour” want to be one of those guys that’s at third against the Los Ange- with other playing partners, com- known as a good all-around ballles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, plete with friendly wagering, rank- player and sets a standard for the less than an hour’s drive from his ings and team nicknames. game. Winning the Gold Glove hometown. He got his first three “Nolan and I are ‘El Futuro’— shows that hard work pays off.” hits in the majors—including a we’re the future,” Thompson says.

That hard work has precluded two-run home run—much to the “This year we dominated. It’s his playing golf in Colorado, but he pleasure of the scores of friends competitive, but more for bragintends on getting out this year. and family in attendance. ging rights. Nolan had a very good “I stopped playing golf when Those included his parents. Mil- off-season and ended up with our I was younger because I always lie and Fernando Arenado share No. 1 ranking. But he grew up in a thought it messed up my basea love affair with sports that is very competitive atmosphere and ball swing,” he says. “Ultimately, I reflected on the birth certificates is always trying to get the next don’t think it’s that way any more. of their three sons. The eldest, step on everybody.”

Baseball messes up my golf swing, Cousy, is named after Hall of Fame The Rockies are counting on more than anything.” basketball player Bob Cousy. The Arenado to take the next step at CAG youngest, Jonah, was selected by the plate. He coupled his .267 avthe San Francisco Giants in the erage with 10 homers and 52 runs Contributing Editor Sam Adams is the 16th round of the 2013 MLB draft. batted in last season. Decent stats author of If You Don’t Believe Me...

player’sCorner

lesson

Swing Shift Transferring weight to your left side

improves everything. By Nathan Morris.

O

ne of the biggest issues golfers have is favoring their right (or trail) side too much during their swing. Staying on your back foot often results in your swing bottoming out too early. This leads to fat shots (ground first) as well as topped shots (wormburners). Hanging back also makes you more likely to swing over the top or outside in causing slices and pulls.

PGA Golf Professional Nathan Morris teaches at GolfTEC-Denver Tech Center (golftec.com; 303-770-5951). He won Colorado AvidGolfer’s 2014 CAGGY Award for Best Instructor for Men.

To remedy the problem, you must transfer your weight to your front foot to start your downswing and then swing through with your arms and shoulders. This helps you move the bottom of the swing arc forward so that you get that nice, ball-first contact. Picture a baseball pitcher throwing a fastball. He can generate 90 mph of speed by taking that big step first (weight shift), and then turning his chest to home plate and throwing. If he didn’t shift first,

he could never throw as fast.

After shifting your weight forward, tilt your right shoulder down (for a right-handed golfer) to drop the club on plane and keep your head behind the ball. At impact you should look like a backwards letter K. Your hips should be over your left shoe and your head still back where it started. If done correctly, your left arm and club should align with your left leg just after impact, making the vertical bar of the backwards K.

INCORRECT

CORRECT

DRILL: Shift. Tilt. Punch.

From the top of your swing, shift first, then tilt and hit a punch. Stop as soon after impact as you can. Look for that backwards K. Weight left, head back, left arm and club in a straight line. After you do many of these, you can speed up and slowly lengthen the swing.

Find more lessons and helpful tips at coloradoavidgolfer.com CAG

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

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hances are, you love your mothers—yours, your children’s and, perhaps, your grandchildren’s—more than you love golf. To make sure any or all of them feel the same way about you, why not treat them to something more useful and longer lasting than flowers on Mother’s Day? And maybe get yourself something, too.

Frogger Brush Pro ($18)

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

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Sun Mountain Four 5 Stand Bag ($220)

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Chromax M1 75Compression Golf Balls ($20)

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CMC Golf Ball Marker 3-pack ($13)

Champ Zarma Fly Tees ($7)

All products available at PGA TOUR SuperStore in Centennial.

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HOST WITH A TOAST: Craig Caldwell at the elegantly rustic Keys on the Green

Eating Evergreen Gourmet gems await after a round at the mountain jewel of the Denver municipal golf system. By Gary James KEYS ON THE GREEN

N

early 35 years ago, Evergreen Golf Course’s original clubhouse, overlooking Evergreen Lake on Upper Bear Creek Road, was converted into a restaurant, with its name—Keys on the Green—a nod to Denver Broncos fullback Jon “Make Those Miracles Happen” Keyworth.

I rooted hard for that Orange Crush team, just as I’m rooting hard for my friend Craig Caldwell, who’s been killing it at Keys on the Green ever since Denver City and County Parks last year awarded the management to him and his partners. Back in the 1990s, they started

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

Brooklyn’s, the classic Denver sports bars, and in 2009 Craig built Wicky’s, a fine-dining mecca on Mexico’s Playa Del Carmen.

Upon taking over the year-round Keys on the Green operation, he trained a manager and the best waitstaff from the old regime and, most importantly, poached chef Kevin O’Brien from the Colorado casino circuit.

And then...he renovated the caretaker’s house on the property and moved in so he can stay onsite. And why not? He’s in a gorgeous mountain setting, surrounded by towering pines, the rushing waters of Bear Creek and occasional visits from majestic herds of elk. His “job” is hang-

ing out and welcoming customers, who have a few choices as to where they dine: the main dining area with its atmosphere of rustic elegance (a four-sided rock fireplace is centered in the historic interior log walls), the tranquil creekside outdoor patio, and a newly refurbished upstairs patio with a dazzling view. “It’s a lifestyle move for me,” he says. “I feel so lucky, like I’m having a party every night.”

The varied menu offers entrees for meat eaters, vegetarians and fish lovers.

I checked all three boxes during a recent visit. Appetizers were highlighted by Crab Cakes, the real kind that fall apart because there’s little breading—just lump crab with a touch of Panko, lemon and May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

25

sideBets FISH TO TRY: Keys’ Grilled Atlantic Salmon with scallops, lemon dill butter and Yukon potatoes.

WILLOW CREEK

A

fter working in restaurants all over the country, Curtis and Kristopher Lincoln returned to Evergreen (and Curtis’ family ranch), and the couple’s wide range of skills is on full display at Willow Creek.

During a recent lunch hour, people at surrounding tables were going bananas for the food. One nice lady couldn’t stop raving about the Chicken & Quinoa Salad, based on pulled braised poultry and everybody’s favorite hardto-pronounce protein source—but the kitchen put a big chop on the seasonal vegetables

26

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

this case) and a root vegetable puree—for our visit, turnips had been replaced by beets, imbuing the dish with a vibrant pink color. The Italian Sausage Pasta was simple and marvelous—homemade sausage, San Marzano plum tomatoes and Parmesan on rigatoni. I was sorely tempted by two fish entrees, notably the Grilled Verlasso Salmon, “harmoniously raised” in the Patagonian waters of Chile, but I opted for pan seared Rocky Mountain Trout done amandine with toasted Marcona almonds (from Spain, more tender than California almonds), haricots verts and a deadly brown butter sauce. Crispy skin, fabulous flavor—sheer bliss.

SHOWSTOPPERS: Willow Creek’s famed Braised Rabbit Pasta in Pinot Noir sauce (top) and Pan-Roasted Black Cod with Savoy Cabbage, Beluga Lentils and beet vinaigrette.

Company. Dungeness crab elevated the Crab BLT on Brioche, assembled with applewood smoked bacon and chive mayonnaise.

Willow Creek makes its pasta fresh daily on premises, and the Potato Gnocchi was a revelation. Potatoes are pushed through a ricer, cut into little pillows and flash frozen. Upon ordering, they go right from the freezer to a hot sauté pan, where herbed brown butter awaits to impart a melt-in-your-mouth texture, crisp and savory on the outside, velvety on the inside.

On another occasion, dinner was breathtaking. I started with Mussels & Cockles, a bi-bivalve delight that arrived in a beautifully fragrant sauce—house-made chorizo with leeks, garlic, tomatoes, herbs and white wine, sided with grilled ciabatta for sopping. Big wow factor, better preparation than any beachfront restaurant I’ve encountered. The Vegetable Risotto combined wild mushrooms, ParmigianoReggiano, seasonable vegetables (broccoli, in

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P h o t o g r a p h by A l l D i g i ta l S t ud i o s , c o u rt e s y o f K e y s o n t h e g r e e n ( t o p ) a n d c o u rt e s y o f w i l l o w c r e e k

basil, drizzled with lemon aioli. The Lobster Egg Rolls arrived stuffed with goat cheese, grape tomatoes, red onion and cilantro along with the Maine attraction. The Seared Hoisin Tuna Kabobs, plated with grilled vegetables and toasted sesame dressing, could have substituted for an entree.

But it didn’t. For the main course, I couldn’t resist Osso Bucco, the restaurant’s best seller, a Northern Italian staple done right—a slow braised pork shank, velvety falling-off-the-bone tender, in herbed au jus with rich and creamy smoked gouda mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The nightly specials—“Craig’s list”—include succulent Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp on Fridays. And out of devotion to his lovely wife Doreen, who hails from Minnesota, Thursday is Walleye night—almond-crusted Great Lakes filets, pan-fried and served with herbed potato cakes. Yer dern-tootin’!

Dessert was Bread Pudding, which resembled a fried doughnut more than the classic baked showstopper; the rum-raisin sauce with vanilla custard reined it in. Craig humbly says he wants “the best restaurant on a golf course that’s not a country club.”

He’s well on his way. Keys reportedly has a killer Sunday brunch, giving rise to the term “friends with benedicts.”

29614 Upper Bear Creek; 303-670-3955; keysonthegreen.net

and tossed in apples, pecans and some cranberries and pomegranate seeds for a balance of acid and sweetness.

Another patron flipped for the Gold Canyon “Never Ever” Bacon Cheese Burger (as in “never any hormones or antibiotics”), served with Tillamook cheddar on a brioche bun from Denver’s Grateful Bread

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To experience the lifestyle for yourself, call Tiffanie at 800-930-8946.

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w w w. c a n on g at e c olor a d o . c o m

Indulgence Made to Order ITALY IN EVERGREEN: The cozy Tuscany Tavern

TUSCANY TAVERN

DENVER | 191 INVERNESS DRIVE WEST | 303-768-0827 © 2014 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. All rights reserved.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

T

he wife and I were running late to see Chris Daniels & the Kings hold court at the Little Bear in Evergreen, but we needed to grab a quick bite. The resulting stop was the Tuscany Tavern, a family-owned taste of Italy. Tucked away on the lower level of a small shopping center, it wasn’t easy to find, but the charming atmosphere warranted a longer stay.

I was drawn to the hot, quick and tasty Penne all’Arrabbiata, the spicy marinara sauce of garlic, tomatoes and red chili peppers (arrabbiata means “angry” in Italian, hence the heat). This variation included bacon, onions and mushrooms sautéed in red wine. My better half enjoyed the gooey goodness of the Chicken Parmesan—thick, juicy boneless chicken breasts baked to perfection. We polished both off with no regrets. Dancing to Chris’ set on a full stomach wasn’t a good idea, but we’ll shimmy our way to Tuscany Tavern again.

32214 Ellingwood Trail; 303-674-3739; tuscany-tavern.com CAG Gary James is a Boulder-based food and music writer.

Read more from him at coloradoavidgolfer.com coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

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Discover our expertly prepared Prime Steaks and award-winning collection of 100 wines by the glass.

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But the hit of the evening was the famous Braised Rabbit Pasta, which has received national recognition—the rich and tasty flesh was swimming in a pinot noir sauce with pappardelle and diced vegetables (vegetale macedonie). I checked my childhood baggage—my mom once tried to serve rabbit, which we pushed around our plates until my younger brother cried, “It’s like eating Hoppy!” (our pet)—but you could ladle this over a Kleenex and I’d eat it.

We paired the dish with a glass of 2008 Firesteed Pinot Noir, an elegant, affordable wine suggested by Nicky, whose friendly, knowledgeable service was exceptional. She told us every shift gets fed family style, which lets waitstaff experience the menu intimately and the chefs-in-training get the chance for a little experimenting. It’s a fantastic vibe, and I recommend Willow Creek without reservation—but make one anyway.

29029 Upper Bear Creek Rd.; 303-674-9463; willowcreekevergreen.com

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niceDrives

Too many choices?

Picking the right variant of car doesn’t have to be that complicated.

By Isaac Bouchard

C

ar manufacturers are getting better at spinning a multitude of variants off one common set of components. The VW empire, for example, which comprises some 17 brands, can build upwards of 30 models from one group of components, and none need share body panels or interior. Others are catching on. This means more profit for the car companies and—in theory—more choices for consumers. After driving variants from Audi, BMW and Lexus, I think there are some clear choices.

2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F-Sport

2014 Audi A8L TDI

EPA ratings: 19/26; 21mpg combined Price as tested: $49,600

EPA ratings: 24/36; 28mpg combined Price as tested: $99,445

Lexus’ IS250 can’t compete in our thin air. However, the IS350 and its spicier, big-engined “F Sport” upgrade—in both rear-wheel drive and AWD—blow through it.

The big bold exterior polarizes bystanders. But inside the Lexus is defined by a compellingly contemporary architecture, made from top-flight materials. The F Sport has less rear room than comparable Audis, BMWs and Infinitis, but its front seats are incredibly comfortable.

The cool TFT instrument displays have a super-slick, power sliding feature for the main tach/speedo readout. So satisfying is it that it almost makes up for the mess that is the corporate infotainment interface, which is dangerously difficult to control while driving.

Its 306 horses are backed up by 277lb-ft of torque. Though the 3.5-liter V6 doesn’t have the highest redline, it revs with a burgeoning swelling of power.

It gets to 60mph in the mid-fives and would be even faster—and more frugal—if Lexus would fit the eight-speed auto that the rear-drive F Sport comes with; also denied in the AWD version is the even better, more buttoned-down suspension and more incisive, variable-rate steering system.

The AWD IS350 won’t devour the newest BMW 3-series like the rear-drive F Sport recently did, but this car is no slouch. It feels more like the follow-up to the world-beating E46 and E90 3-series models than the current BMW does.

The Audi A8 comes in two lengths and is available (counting the sportier S8) with three V6s, two V8s and even a W12. So why would anyone spending sixfigures buy the TDI diesel, which has the lowest horsepower (240) of them all?

The TDI cruises at extralegal speeds with ease, surfing its tidal wave of torque, whose 406lb-ft of twist easily dispense left-lane dawdlers. All while the 3.0-liter V6 barely breaks a sweat, which means you return over 30 mpg in this massive, long-wheelbase AWD sedan.

You also receive a terrific massage courtesy of the the luxury segment’s best cockpit and chill out to your favorite tunes on the $6,300, 1,400-watt B&O surround sound system. About the only fly in the ointment is the optional, adaptive LED headlights, which prove inferior to xenons at illuminating the salt-stained twists and turns of the mountain passes. But the security conferred by the quattro drivetrain and winter tires mean nothing really fazes you. The A8L’s styling—especially on the optional multispoke 20-inch wheels—looks better than ever.

Of course, you could have spec’d your flagship Audi with the supercharged gasoline V6, one of two twin-turbo V8s, or totally over the top W12 in your A8L. And the price of fuel obviously isn’t an issue if you can afford such a machine. But you wanted to make a statement: that you can be a conscientious conservator of the environment without giving up, well…anything.

30

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

colo r ado avidgo lf e r.c o m

2014 BMW 328i GT EPA ratings: 22/33; 26mpg combined Price as tested: $52,575 Once upon a time BMW offered only three sizes of sedan and a couple of coupes. Now the 3-series alone comprises a sedan, wagon, two- and four-door coupes and a convertible (now dubbed 4-series). And there are the price- and size-comparable X3 and X4 crossovers, as well. So where does the new 328i Gran Turismo fit and why choose it over the others?

Statistically, Americans rate hatchbacks less prestigious than sedans. Yet of these 3-series variants, the majority have that type of rear aperture. The GT is not the most svelte of the line, with a bulbous, exaggerated glass area reminiscent of older BMWs and greater sensitivity to color, trim and wheel size than other models, but it certainly looks like a prestige car.

The GT’s party trick is a huge, comfy back seat and a copious cargo hold made quite enormous by folding the seats. For skiers, it is a dream—unless you open the hatch with snow on it, in which case the white stuff unceremoniously dumps into the cargo area or onto the heads of the rear-seat occupants.

All the 3- and 4-series cockpits are pleasant, with great driving positions, more room than the Lexus IS or Cadillac ATS. iDrive has become the default standard for intuitive, fast-acting infotainment interfaces.

BMW has certainly sacrificed steering feel in the transition to electric assist, but the 328 GT drives well. Its Adaptive M variable-rate dampers make travel over rutted roads better than almost any vehicle in memory, and when shifted in one of its sportier modes, it carves like a Shun knife.

BMW is still unmatched in its segment in the powertrain department. The GT’s 240 horses are more Clydesdale than Thoroughbred, and the gobs of lowend torque churned out by the N20 motor make it feel effortlessly rapid, even over mountain passes.

The GT weighs about 300 pounds more than the 328xi sedan, and 150 more than the wagon. Of course it is significantly lighter than the X3/4 crossovers and has almost as much room for cargo and passengers.

So is the GT the right BMW for you? If style is important, the various flavors of 4-series are a better—and more expensive—choice. The GT, Touring wagon and X3 can all be bought or leased for similar amounts of money, but if you like room without giving up performance, handling and ride, the GT may indeed be just right. CAG Read expanded reviews and buying tips from Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard at coloradoavidgolfer.com and nicedrivz.com. co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

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c olora doa vi dgolfer.co m

May 2014 |Colorado AvidGolfer

33

SAVE

$6,000

MORE THAN

AT COLORADO’S

ALL PRICES INCLUDE A CART

best courses

Golf Courses

1/1–5/31

6/1– 8/31

9/1– 12/31

Available Tee Times

Weekend Play

Total Rounds

Antler Creek, Falcon

$28

$35

$28

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

3

Broadlands, Broomfield

$35

$35

$35

Mon-Thurs after 12pm

No

3

Broken Tee, Englewood

$30

$30

$30

Mon-Thurs after 12pm

No

8

Buffalo Run, Commerce City

$39

$39

$39

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 2pm

Yes

3

Colorado National, Erie EXCLUSIVE!

$45

$49

$40

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

CommonGround, Aurora* EXCLUSIVE!

$42

$42

$42

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Eagle Trace, Broomfield

$30

$30

$30

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Family Sports Center, Centennial*

$19

$21

$19

Anytime, anytime

Yes

Unlimited

Fitzsimons, Aurora EXCLUSIVE!

$26/$29

$26/$29

$26/$29

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Foothills, Littleton

$34/$47

$34/$47

$34/$47

Mon-Thurs after 1pm, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

4

Four Mile Ranch, Canyon City NEW!

$30

$30

$30

Mon-Fri anytime, Sat-Sun after 12pm

Yes

4

Fox Hollow, Lakewood

$44

$44

$44

Mon-Thurs after 1pm, Fri-Sun after 1:30pm

Yes

Unlimited

Green Valley Ranch, Denver EXCLUSIVE!

$35

$40

$35

Shoulders: Mon-Thurs before 9am, after 12pm, Fri-Sun after 2pm; Peak: Mon-Thurs before 9am, after 1pm, Fri-Sun after 2pm

Yes

3

Heritage at Westmoor, Westminster

$40

$40

$40

Monday-Thursday Anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

Heritage Eagle Bend, Aurora

$34/$40

$48/$54

$34/$40

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

2

Highland Meadows, Windsor

$34

$44

$34

Mon-Thurs after 12pm, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Highlands Ranch GC, Highlands Ranch

$45/$56

$55/$66

$45/$56

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

5

The Homestead Golf Course, Lakewood

$34

$34

$34

Mon-Thurs after 1pm, Fri-Sun after 1:30 pm

Yes

Unlimited

The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, Westminster

$39

$39

$39

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

Indian Tree, Arvada

$35

$35

$35

Seasons 1& 2 any day after 11am, Season 3 any day, anytime

Yes

3

The Inverness, Englewood* EXCLUSIVE!

$56

$76

$56

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Kings Deer, Monument EXCLUSIVE!

$32

$32

$32

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 2 pm

Yes

2

Legacy Ridge, Westminster

$45

$45

$45

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

The Links, Highlands Ranch

$31/$36

$35/$40

$31/$36

Shoulder: Mon-Thurs anytime Fri-Sun after 12pm Peak: Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Littleton Golf and Tennis Club, Littleton

$29/$31

$29/$31

$29/$31

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

Lone Tree Golf Club, Lone Tree

$49

$59

$47

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri- Sun after 1pm

Yes

Shoulders: Unlimited Peak: 2

Meadows, Littleton

$38/$50

$38/$50

$38/$50

Mon-Thurs after 1pm, Fri- Sun after 1pm

Yes

4

Meadow Hills, Aurora EXCLUSIVE!

$31/$35

$31/$35

$31/$35

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Murphy Creek, Aurora EXCLUSIVE!

$35/$42

$35/$42

$35/$42

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Omni Interlocken, Broomfield

$55

$65

$60

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri before 12; Sat-Sun after 12

Yes

3

Pine Creek, Colorado Springs

$39

$39

$39

Mon-Thurs after 12pm, Fri- Sun after 2pm

Yes

9

Quail Dunes, Fort Morgan NEW!

$20

$23

$20

Any day, Anytime

Yes

3

Raccoon Creek, Littleton NEW!

$37/$44

$37/$44

$37/$44

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

4

58 215 55 courses

total rounds or more

courses with weekend play

Go a Pr utomlf Passp e Din Clu fer atica ort m e & b r lly e sav M ed rec mbe ea e e t m m Clie ive rs ore be n a tha rs te n 1 h le 65 ip courses with loca ! tion exclusive golf s!

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passport offers

1/1–5/31

6/1– 8/31

9/1– 12/31

Available Tee Times

Weekend Play

Total Rounds

The Ridge at Castle Pines, Castle Rock* EXCLUSIVE!

$50

$65

$50

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri- Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Saddle Rock, Aurora EXCLUSIVE!

$37/$44

$37/$44

$37/$44

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

South Suburban Par 3, Centennial*

$9

$9

$9

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Sumo Golf Village, Florence

$22

$27

$22

Any day after 12pm

Yes

2

Thorncreek, Thornton

$28

$38

$28

Mon-Thurs after 10 am

No

3

Todd Creek, Thornton

$40

$45

$40

Mon-Fri after 10am, Sat- Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Walking Stick, Pueblo NEW!

$32

$32

$32

Mon-Thurs after 11:30 am, Fri-Sun after 12:30 pm

Yes

Unlimited

Golf Courses

$99 $99 $99 Sun-Thurs anytime 27-holes; Yes 2 Breckenridge Golf Club, Breckenridge* Peak season- Sundays only 18-holes

Mountain Courses* The Bridges, Montrose

$53

$53

$53

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

2

Cederedge Golf Club, Cedaredge

$35

$40

$35

Any day, anytime

Yes

Unlimited

Devil's Thumb, Delta

$40

$40

$40

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Eagle Ranch, Eagle EXCLUSIVE!

$35

$55

$35

Any day after 11am

Yes

2

Eagle Vail, Avon

$55

$70

$55

Mon-Thurs after 11am, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

2

Golf Granby Ranch, Granby

$54

$54

$54

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Grand Elk, Granby

$32/$39

$45/$54

$39/$45

Sun-Thurs after 11am, Fri -Sat 12pm

Yes

3

Grand Lake, Grand Lake NEW!

$39.50

$49.50

$39.50

Any day after 11am

Yes

3

Haymaker, Steamboat NEW!

$50

$79

$50

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

Unlimited

Keystone Ranch, Keystone

$65

$90

$65

Any day, Anytime

Yes

Unlimited

Lakota Canyon, New Castle

$49

$70

$49

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri -Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Pole Creek, Tabernash

$45

$45

$45

Sunday-Thursday after 11am

Yes

3

The Raven at Three Peaks, Silverthorne

$55

$89

$55

Any day after 12pm

Yes

Unlimited

Redlands Mesa, Grand Junction

$63

$70

$63

Any day, Anytime

Yes

4

The River Course at Keystone, Keystone

$75

$105

$75

Any day after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Tiara Rado, Grand Junction NEW!

$30

$30

$30

Mon-Thurs anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Vail Golf Club, Vail

$50

$89

$50

Mon- Thurs and Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

* CommonGround offer: Must be CGA, CWGA or Golf Passport Plus member to get rate * Family Sports: 9 Hole Golf Course * South Suburban: Par 3 - Cart not included * Breckenridge offer: Open - 6/30 $99 (27 Holes); 7/1-8/31 $99 (18 Holes, Sundays Only); 9/1-Close $99 (27 Holes) * Shoulder and Peak seasons may vary

Go to coloradoavidgolfer.com for complete details.

2014 Member Privileges. All rates include a cart. Visit www.coloradoavidgolfer.com for complete details regarding rates, available tee times, number of rounds and reservation policy. Tee time requests are on a space available basis to Golf Passport members and participating courses’ rain check policies will apply. The golf offers are good from January 1, 2014 – December, 31 2014, excluding holidays, special events, tournaments or closure to environmental or economic conditions. Mountain seasons may vary slightly. The Golf Passport is limited to one per person and is non-transferable. Prices do not include sales tax. Some courses may require a credit card to secure a tee time prior to play. If a tee time is cancelled, the golf course may charge for its discounted fee. Colorado AvidGolfer reserves the right to make reasonable modifications to the Golf Passport, effective upon notice by e-mail or first class mail to the Golf Passport member. A Golf Passport member may reject any such modification by responding in writing to Colorado AvidGolfer and returning the Golf Passport within ten (10) days. The Golf Passport member will receive a prorated refund. The Golf Passport member agrees that he or she is not entitled to any additional compensation. Colorado AvidGolfer disclaims all liability for damage or loss or property or injury to any person occurring while using the Golf Passport. The subscription expires with the Winter 2014 issue. One subscription per household. If ordered online, please allow up to 10 days for delivery of your Golf Passport.

36

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

co lo rad o a v idgo l f e r. c o m

38

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

W

hen last we saw Tom Lehman

in Colorado, he was besting David Frost and Fred Couples in a playoff to win the 2010 Senior PGA Championship at Colorado

Golf Club.

But hoisting that 3.5-foot, 30-pound silver trophy may require less effort than the task that has brought him to Glenwood Springs these past six months: “softening” the 7,224-yard Ar-

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

thur Hills layout at Ironbridge Golf Club.

Ironically, Lehman’s involvement with the course starts with the beleaguered financial firm that happens to share his surname. Lehman Brothers (no relation to Tom) owned Ironbridge for most of the development’s 11-year existence, including the five after the company declared bankruptcy in 2008. At auction last August, a group of investors purchased the course assets and the 111 lots on the 533-acre

property for $4.82 million. Among those investors: longtime Roaring Fork Valley residents Jim Light, John Schneider and John Young; and Ironbridge member Ken Kendrick, who is managing partner of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks and a close friend and one-time sponsor of Tom Lehman.

Lehman, who started designing courses the same year he won the 1996 British Open, worked with Dana Fry and Michael Hurdzan May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

39

COURSE WHISPERER: Lehman (second from right) discusses changes with (from left) Eric Foerster, John Schneider, Greg Martin, John Young and Doug Rohrbaugh.

on creating The Raven at Three Peaks in Silverthorne and teamed with John Fought on a number of courses in Arizona and Minnesota before going solo 10 years ago. His Dunes course at Nebraska’s Prairie Club ranks among the best U.S. courses to open in the last decade.

He got the Ironbridge gig last October. He saw the picturesque layout clearly targeted the lowhandicap player with its forced carries, long approaches to hardto-hold greens and more opportunities to get in trouble than South Padre Island during Spring Break.

“Augusta has 40 bunkers; you have 70,” Lehman told Light and Young on their first walk-through.

“They’re catching the average player, not the good players.”

Working with Superintendent Eric Foerster, Lehman advised removing roughly half the bunkers, regrading a number of holes, and changing the grasslines. Three greens “should probably be rebuilt,” he said, but that could wait.

“GOLF IS A LIFESTYLE” Although Ironbridge will be billed as an “Arthur Hills Course Refined by Tom Lehman,” softening is the word everyone uses, including Lehman. “It will still play difficult for better players,” Foerster says, “but the higher handicapper will be able to navigate and negotiate it much better.”

Those higher handicappers include most juniors and women, as well as their dads and husbands from the Ironbridge subdivision

40

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

and nearby Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. “Young, working families make up most of the residents,” says Light, whose development group, Chaffin/Light, has produced a dozen communities across the country, including Colorado’s Snowmass Village and Roaring Fork Club. “We are a kidoriented subdivision. We’re in the community-building business.”

So is Tom Lehman. Before his most recent tour of the property, he speaks not of shot values but of community values. “Golf is a lifestyle,” he says, recalling his youth at Minnesota’s Alexandria Country Club. “Golf was huge. It helped us live like a community should, with kids learning values, passion, motivation and goals. We had amenities that let people have fun—lawn bowling, a putting course instead of a chipping area. We’d putt outside the clubhouse until the mosquitoes carried us away.”

So convincing is Lehman on this day that before it ends, Ironbridge’s plans for a chipping area will become plans for a 10,000-squarefoot putting course. Moreover, the reconfigured practice areas will allow players to work on all the shots—including uphill and downhill chips—they will encounter on the course. There’ll be a teaching area, as well as places where golfers can practice and kids can learn.

In addition to a more welcoming golf experience, Ironbridge residents benefit from a Recreation Center comprised of a swimming pool complex, climbing wall, ten-

nis and basketball courts. The new owners turned the pool house into a state-of-the-art fitness center, and, steps away from the golf shop, built the Ironbridge Grill, where Stacey Baldock, the chefowner of Carbondale favorite The Goat, can serve as many as 124 people inside the restaurant and on the covered, heated porch.

The restaurant and course welcomes non-residents. “We’d die on the vine if we relied only on members,” says Young, who says Lehman’s changes should result in a jump in the 11,000 rounds the course saw last year. “We are currently in a membership drive,” he adds. “There’s no initiation.”

Golf club membership and access to the rec center come with the purchase of a home or lot at Ironbridge. 1,400- to 2,500-squarefoot patio homes start in the low $400s. Homes on ¾ of an acre run in the mid-$700s and riverfront lots just shy of an acre go for $300,000 to $400,000.

Young knows there exists strong civic spirit at Ironbridge, one born from the uncertainty of the last five years. He and his partners experienced this spirit firsthand. Forming an LLC called Blue Heron Properties, they intended to rename the development after the birds that live by the course. “But the residents let us know, emphatically, they wanted to keep ‘Ironbridge,’” says Young. “They are very proud of it. And as Ken Kendrick said, ‘You have ten years of branding as Ironbridge; good or bad, people are going to know it.’”

Foerster says residents take such pride in the course that each spring he holds a “member appreciation day.” Ironbridge attracts hundreds of deer and elk in winter; so, with food and drink as a reward, dozens of members go around the course and fill in the tracks, clear “elk duds” and accomplish in hours what it would take a smaller work crew a week to get done. Even with $250,000 in new equipment, Foerster says the tradition will continue: “It’s like

the halftime divot stomp during polo matches, a social event that keeps the field of play in shape.”

THE REFINEMENTS The softening of Ironbridge predated Lehman’s arrival when the course “de-genderfied” its tees last season. Instead of reds, whites, blues and blacks, they use ski designations. “The double-black diamond extremes—the tips—are for 0- to 4-handicaps and the blues and greens are for double-digit players,” explains Foerster. “This removes the stigma of ‘ladies tees’ and ‘old man tees.’ People play suitable distances and have more fun.”

Lehman, an avid skier, embraces the concept, and proceeds to lead a caravan of carts carrying Foerster, PGA Head Professional Doug Rohrbaugh, the Blue Heron triumvirate and Greg Martin of Modern Golf Construction along the nine miles of concrete connecting the course’s 18 holes. The trip takes about six hours, with the changes designed to tempt good players into taking risks and to give higher handicaps a shot at scoring.

On the 637-yard par-5 second, for example, two bunkers once pinched the fairway and a monstrous one ran up the left side. The right pincer is gone, and the Gobi is greatly reduced. Lehman also eliminated the bunker fronting the green and the hidden one behind it. “The idea here is to be able to take a more direct line to the hole and give golfers a chance to get there in three,” he says.

Lehman believes rough should play as big a role in strategy as bunkers do. “Depending on the lie, you can have a half-shot penalty for being off the fairway,” he explains.

That philosophy comes into play on the drivable par-4 third, which big hitters can attack now that no bunker guards the green. The hole hugs the river, which Lehman exposed by removing trees along the water’s edge. He then “grubbed out” the area with rough, penalizing shots short and right.

Lehman believes Ironbridge will colorad o avidgo lf e r.c o m

also benefit from more “playable native,” a specialty of Brian Horgan, a Ph.D. in turfgrass management whom Lehman has enlisted as a consultant.

Removing bunkers fronting the greens allows for a ground game, as does shaving the grass around the green complexes. Lehman’s done this on the 438-yard fifth. The following hole, a 206-yard par 3 with water left, no longer has a bunker behind the green, waiting to serve as launching pad for a blade into the drink.

On the 481-yard eighth, “a really good hole that sets up beautifully,” he suggests women and higher handicaps should play it from the double black extremes as a par-5.

(He later takes back that shot on the par-5 13th, a 621-yard hole with brutal forced carries that make it “unplayable for the average golfer,” he says. “Let’s put a tee box on the fairway; higher handicaps can play it as a par 4.”)

The longest discussions come after the milelong journey from the ninth green to the tenth tee. Holes 10-13 are breathtaking—and breathtakingly difficult. The run starts with the number-one handicap 10th, where a roiling putting surface sits atop a steep upslope with a deep bunker hugging its right front; the middle and left approaches pitch severely back down the fairway or into a grassy chasm left of the green.

“This green repels shots,” Lehman says,

moving the bunker fronting the green.

Back down the hill, Lehman approves the now bunker-free 14th and puzzles over the wee green on the par-3 15th, which falls off in every direction, especially the “valley of tears” on its left. Instead of rebuilding the green, Lehman opts to raise the “valley,” making it more of a “cup.” Fewer tears, more pars.

Lehman also grassed in most of the sandpits along the 16th fairway and has revealed the stream running the length of the par-5 17th.

The 413-yard dogleg left finisher stays as is.

It’s about the only thing at Ironbridge that will. When the club opened in 2003, it was private and members took pride in the course’s difficulty. The economic trends of the last decade destroyed that model, and Tom Lehman knows it. “The difficulty is still there,” he says, “but let’s not forget about everyone else.”

Ironbridge still bites hard from the Extreme Double Blacks, but now there are bunny slopes too—officially rated junior tees will sit 100-150 yards out on every hole. The CGA and CWGA will also be re-rating Ironbridge’s overall slope.

“Golf is a lifestyle; that’s what Tom says,” says Foerster. “We’re going full bore with that program.” CAG

OVER THE BUNKER: It’s now safer to go long on 12.

looking as though it repels him as well.

After deliberation about whether to raise the front portion of the green, Lehman decides to leave the putting surface alone. Martin will fill in and grass over the bunker and extend the rough line across the fairway fronting the green so short shots won’t dribble back down.

Lehman also gives a bold boost to the 435yard 12th, the tee box for which sits at the highest point on the course. A dramatic right dogleg that whistles downhill towards green fronted by a ravine and yawning bunker, the hole doesn’t reward hitting it deep down the fairway because the ball will just roll into the abyss. He proposes growing the rough halfway up the downslope leading to the ravine and re-

Jon Rizzi is CAG’s editor. For more information: 970-384-0630; ironbridgeclub.com.

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•

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

Albuquerque, NM

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coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

TEE

CHARITY AND

Our annual statewide Calendar of 116

Classics, Tournaments and Challenges—all with the goal of contributing to the greater good.

May 10

MAY 17

Cherry Creek Country Club, Denver Contact: Jennifer Purdum, 303-570-8047; jennifer@therewithcare.org

Beneficiary: Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (tcafinfo.com) Bookcliff Country Club, Grand Junction Contact: Jillian Manning, 970-433-4322; jillian@tcafinfo.com

Benficiary: Southmoor, Samuels, Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson Schools (hampdensouth.com) Wellshire Golf Course, Denver Contact: John Boozer, 303-850-9880; johnb@bdsummit.com

St Clare of Assisi 13th Annual Golf Tournament

Tee Off for Testicular Cancer

May 12

USO Denver 8th Annual Classic Beneficiary: USO Denver (uso.org) The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Castle Rock Contact: Kathryn Young, 720-201-8363; kyoung@uso.org

44

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

All For One Community Golf Tournament

May 19

The Care Cup Challenge Denver Beneficiary: There With Care (therewithcare.org)

Beneficiary: St. Clare Catholic School’s Tuition Aid Program (stclarecatholicschool.com) Sonnenalp Golf Course, Vail Contact: Rob Rothenberg, 970-390-6624; stclaregolftournament@gmail.com

May 21

CASA Classic Golf Tournament TO

Drive Out Child Abuse

Beneficiary: CASA of Adams & Broomfield Counties (casa17th.org) Hyland Hills Golf Course, Westminster Contact: Jessica Vega, 303-655-3927; jessica@casa17th.com

May 23

CACI Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (cochamber.com) The Broadmoor East Course, Colorado Springs Contact: Tricia Smith, 303-866-9629; tsmith@cochamber.com coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Lakewood Country Club Golf Tournament Hosted by Meadow Creek Tennis Club Beneficiary: Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood Contact: Adam Kahn, 303-232-6272; akahn@meadowcreektennis.com

May 29

Golf Foundation of Colorado Memorial Tournament Beneficiary: Golf Foundation of Colorado (golffoundationofcolorado.org) The Golf Club At Bear Dance, Larkspur Contact: Gary Leeper, 303-255-9611; info@rmgcsa.org

11th Red Kettle Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Vail Valley Salvation Army (salvationarmyvail.org) Country Club of the Rockies, Edwards Contact: Tsu Wolin-Brown, 970-748-0704; tsu@salvationarmyvail.org

June 2

10th Annual Habitat Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver (habitatmetrodenver.org) Glenmoor Country Club, Englewood Contact: Rob Ayers, 303-478-2962; robayers78@yahoo.com

megan@ShiningStarsFoundation.org

June 9

Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Tournament

Beneficiary: Colorado Golf Hall of Fame (coloradogolfhalloffame.org) The Club at Rolling Hills, Golden Contact: Patrick Salva, 303-996-1597; psalva@pgahq.com

June 9

Hope Invitational

Beneficiary: American Cancer Society (cancer.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Angela Taylor, 720-524-5433; angela.taylor@cancer.org

Denver Bronco Alumni Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Denver Red Shield (denverbroncosalumni.org) Omni Interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield Contact: Odell Barry, 303-246-4337; barryiv@aol.com

June 10

The Care Cup Challenge

Beneficiary: There With Care Omni Interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield Contact: Dana Bacardi, 303-447-2273; dana@therewithcare.org

June 11

14th Annual Scramble for Brad & Erna Butler Memorial Golf Tournament Sight Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Bright Beginnings (brightbeginningsusa.org) Valley Country Club, Centennial Contact: Anthony Accetta, 303-639-9000; ata@ataccetta.com

Beneficiary: Foundation Fighting Blindness (fightblindness.org) Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Brittney Bannon, 972-378-3555; BBannon@FightBlindness.org

June 3

June 12-14

Beneficiary: The Women’s Health Initiative (avistahospitalfoundation.org) Omni Interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield Contact: Laura Fitch, LauraFitch@Centura.org

Beneficiary: TAPS Colorado (taps.org) The Eisenhower Golf Club at the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs Contact: Lynne or Bo Cottrell, 303-696-0450; lcottrell@TAPS.org

May 21-23

June 6-7

June 12

Beneficiary: Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver (bgcmd.org) Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock Contact: Kevin Laura, 303-486-8551; KLaura@ColoradoOpen.com

Beneficiary: The Colorado Section PGA Golf for Down Syndrome in Schools Program (coloradopga.com) Red Sky Golf Club, Vail Golf Tournament Contact: Vanessa Van Horn, 720-493-1729 Beneficiary: The Rocky Mountain Down ext.15; vanessa@coloradoavidgolfer.com Syndrome Association (RMDSA.org) The Inverness Golf Club, Englewood Contact: MaryAnn Barwick, 303-797-1699; maryannb@rmdsa.org

Avista Adventist Hospital Foundation Golf Classic

Jack A Vickers Invitational hosted by John Elway

May 27

CO/WY Optimist Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Optimist Junior Golf.

Park Hill, Denver Contact: Joe Marci, marcifrog@aol.com co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

The Audi Corporate Cup

T.A.P.S. COLORADO CELEBRITY CLASSIC

The 5th Annual Tee Up

June 6

2014 Tee Off for Kids with Cancer

Beneficiary: Shining Stars Foundation (shiningstarsfoundation.org) Colorado National Golf Club, Erie Contact: Megan Bryant, 970-726-8009;

June 13-14

15th Annual Grand Classic

Granby Contact: Sam Gordon, 970-887-3111; sam@grandfoundation.com

June 13

Life is Better Rescue Charity Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Life is Better Rescue (lifeisbetter.org) Legacy Ridge Golf Course, Westminster Contact: Blake Walliser, 303-880-9556; bwalliser1@comcast.net

5th Annual Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community Tournament

Beneficiary: Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community a 501C-3 Assisted Living Community Park Hill, Denver Contact: Pati Sawyer Boex, 303-753-2160; patis@esmrc.com

June 16

Marriott CMN Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Children’s Miracle Network Fossil Trace, Golden Contact: Chad Conrad, 303-291-3602; chad.conrad@marriott.com

Positive Coaching Alliance Second Annual Golf Tournament Beneficiary: PCA (colorado.positivecoach.org) Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Contact: Denise Robert, 303-368-5208; denise@deniserobert.com

18th Annual Broadmoor Rotary Golf Classic

Beneficiary: The Youth of the Pikes Peak Region Country Club of Colorado, Colorado Springs Contact: Tracy Lee, tlee2409@comcast.net

Flight For Life Colorado 2014 Golf Classic

St. Anthony Health Foundation (stanthonyhealthfoundation.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Gretchen Guerra, 720-321-4314; gretchenguerra@centura.org

June 17

Golfing for Memories

Beneficiary: Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Bob Purchase, 303-999-1961; bpurchase@allcableco.com

Holes of Hope Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Tebo Cancer Center (bch.org/cancer-care-services/tebo) Lake Valley Golf Club, Niwot Contact: Mitch Galnick, 303-444-2114; mitch@lakevalley.com

First Bank Golf Tournament Benefiting Special Olympics Colorado

Beneficiary: Special Olympics Colorado Beneficiary: Grand Foundation & Fraser Valley Omni Interlocken Golf Course, Broomfield Contact: Megan Toohey, 720-359-3109; Recreation Foundation Youth Program Pole Creek Golf Club & Golf Granby Ranch, mtoohey@specialolympicsco.org

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CHARITY GUIDE June 19

16th Annual Leadership Aurora Tournament

Beneficiary: Leadership Aurora Heritage at Eagle Bend, Aurora Contact: Naomi Colwell, 303-344-1500; naomi.colwell@aurorachamber.org

Energy Corporation of America ForeSight Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Anchor Center for Blind Children (anchorcenter.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Savannah Wippel, 303-377-9732 x145; savannah@anchorcenter.org

June 20

Philo Womens’ Scholarship Scramble

Beneficiary: Philo–Loveland (philoloveland.org) Host Course: Mariana Butte, Loveland Contact: Peg Isakson, 970-227-7127; readwithpeg@aol.com

FALCON/PEYTON RELAY FOR LIFE GOLF CLASSIC Beneficiary: The American Cancer Society Relay For Life (relayforlife.org) Antler Creek Golf Club, Falcon Contact: Diane Saign, 719-494-1455; falconpeytonRFL@gmail.com

12th Annual YBFC Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Youth Baseball Foundation of Colorado (davyjonesbaseball.com) Park Hill Golf Course, Denver Contact: Derek Hines, 303-523-6552; DerekHines21@msn.com

June 23

Direct TV Junior Achievement Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Junior Achievement of Colorado Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Shawna Robbins, 303-260-6286; srobbins@jacolorado.org

17th Annual “Fore the Love of Kids” Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Dalia Garfinkel, 303-861-4773; dgarfinkel@rmyclinics.org

Buffs4Life Golf Tournament Weekend

Beneficiary: Buffs 4 Life (buffs4life.org) Omni Interlocken Resort Golf Club,

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

Broomfield Contact: Lisa Van Goor, (720) 891-2926; info.buffs4life@gmail.com

June 24

PAL Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Denver Police Athletic League (denverpal.com) The Ranch Country Club, Westminster Contact: Russ Parisi, 303-937-1223; rparisi@denverpal.com

June 25

For the Love of Our Troops Beneficiary: The Home Front Cares (thehomefrontcares.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: April Speake, 719-434-1208; april.speake@thehomefrontcares.org

June 26

Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation 2014 Golf Invitational

Beneficiary: Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation (hispanicchamberdenver.org) The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Castle Rock Contact: Cheryl Lucero, 303-620-4491; Clucero@hispanicchamberdenver.org

Champions for Children Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Adoption Exchange (adoptex.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Kylene Trask, 303-755-4756 x276; kylene@adoptex.org

June 27

12th Annual Ridge View Academy Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Ridge View Academy (ridgeviewacademy.com) Course: Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Aprille Hill, 303-214-1142; aprille.hill@rop.com

Indian Tree Rally for the Cure

Beneficiary: Susan G. Komen Denver Metropolitan Affiliate (komendenver.org) Indian Tree Golf Course, Arvada Contact: Carolyn Lawson, 303-426-5034; golflawson9140@q.com

June 30

11th Annual Project C.U.R.E. & Newmont Mining Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Project C.U.R.E. (projectcure.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Laurie Porter, 720-490-4022;

laurieporter@projectcure.org

Contact: Laura Fitch, LauraFitch@Centura.org

The Canada Colorado Charity Golf Classic

22nd Annual Taddonio Family Foundation Golf Classic

July 7

18th Annual Pinehurst Sertoma Charity Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Burn Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado Blackstone Country Club, Aurora Contact: Frank Bilotta, 760-717-6061; frankngail@hotmail.com

2014 Falcon Physical Therapy Charity Golf Tournament for Pro Football Camp Beneficiary: Pro Football Camp (profootballcamp.com) The Club at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs Contact: Sadie Martinez, 719-266-9308; sadie@profootballcamp.com

Beneficiary: Ronald McDonald House Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Contact: Toni M. Taddonio, 303-270-9891; tmtaddonio@mhff.net

Beneficiary: The Center for Hearing, Speech and Language and other Sertoma Charities Pinehurst Country Club, Denver Contact: Scott Morlan, 720-315-6711; smorlanco@me.com

July 21

Arrupe Golf Invitational

“Drive Away Poverty with DenUM” Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Arrupe Jesuit High School (arrupejesuit.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Laurie Vieira, 303-455-7449 x232; lvieira@arrupejesuit.com

Beneficiary: Denver Urban Ministries (denum.org) Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Andy Dunning, 303-350-5063; andy@denum.org

July 10

Japan-Colorado Charity Golf Tournament

July 9

Aimco Cares

Beneficiaries: T.A.P.S., Project Sanctuary, Aimco Cares Scholarship Fund Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Kelly Fallin, 303-901-2462; Kelly.Fallin@aimco.com

July 11

Kiwanis of Castle Rock Bob Hayes Invitational Red Hawk Ridge, Castle Rock Beneficiary: Kiwanis Club of Castle Rock Community Foundation (kiwanisatcastlerock.org) Contact: John Altomari, 303- 819-3401; jalto@comcast.net

July 14

Colorado Children’s Chorale Golf Classic

Harmony Club, Timnath Beneficiary: Colorado Children’s Chorale (childrenschorale.org) Contact: Tina Hansen, 303-892-5600; hansen@childrenschorale.org

Littleton Hospital Foundation Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program (littletonhospitalfoundation.org) Country Club at Castle Pines, Castle Rock

Beneficiary: JASC Educational Programs (jascolorado.org) The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Castle Rock Contact: Claudine Locascio, 303-592-5364; info@jascolorado.org

July 22

Colonel’s Challenge Charity Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation (cspff.net) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Col. Lonnie J Westphal (Ret.), 303-884-8805; ljwestphal@yahoo.com

July 23

Jones Lang Lasalle Pro-Ams

Beneficiary: The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch (thefisrtteeoffgreenvalleyranch.org) Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Denver Contact: Kevin Laura, 303-486-8551; KLaura@ColoradoOpen.com

July 24

DTC-Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce Annual Charity Golf Open Beneficiary: Kids In Need of Dentistry (kindsmiles.org) Inverness Hotel Golf Club, Englewood Contact: Chris Wheeler, 720-612-6354; cwheeler@northstarbankco.com

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

A Whole New Game!

ColoradoPGATeeTimes.com Go to ColoradoPGATeeTimes.com to book your online tee time reservations at some of Colorado’s finest public facilities.

Explore the very best that Colorado has to offer. Book tee times online, on your mobile device, Mobile Enhanced On-Line Reservations

Proceeds benefit the Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program.

CHARITY GUIDE Adams County Commissioners’ Golf Tournament Beneficiary: The Senior Hub (seniorhub.org) Riverdale Dunes, Brighton Contact: Renee Dees, 303-426-4408; rdees@seniorhub.org

Craig Hospital

Beneficiary: Craig Hospital (craighospital.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Sue Lynch, 303-789-8578; slynch@craighospital.org

July 24-25

The Trashmasters

Beneficiary: Trashmasters Scholarship Fund (trashmasters.com/scholarship) Snowmass Club, Snowmass Village Contact: Boone Schweitzer, 970-927-8727; trashmasters1@gmail.com

July 27

2nd Annual Mike Fosket Memorial Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Team Fort Collins (teamfortcollins.org) Highland Meadows Golf Club, Windsor Contact: Dawn Fosket, 970-690-3544; dawnfosket2001@yahoo.com

July 28

2nd Annual Support-ASoldier Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Support-A-Solder (supportasoldier.us) Raccoon Creek Golf Course, Littleton Contact: Vanessa Van Horn, 720-422-3941; Vvanhorn5@gmail.com

July 28

Hyde Park Diamonds in the Rough Celebrity Golf Tournament

Beneficiaries: Judi’s House, Global Down Syndrome Foundation and YouthBiz. Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Nancy Thompson, 303-367-1367; nancythompsonCO@aol.com

Adoption Options’ 19th Annual Lawson Cup Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Adoption Options (Adoption-Options.com) Valley Country Club, Centennial Contact: Janelle Schultz, 303-695-1601; JSchultz@Adoption-Options.com

High Hopes Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Guild of the Children’s Diabetes

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

Foundation (childrensdiabetesfoundation.org) Glenmoor Country Club, Englewood Contact: Susie Hummell, 303 628-5109; Susie@childrensdiabetesfoundation.org

KD Kanopy Cares

Beneficiary: Kids Mobility Network (kidsmobility.org) Hiwan Country Club, Evergreen Contact: Sandra Herrara, 303-650-1310; sandra@kdkanopy.com

Inaugural Leadership Pikes Peak Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: leadershippikespeak.org Country Club of Colorado, Colorado Springs Contact: Andrey Trinidad, 719-660-8123; lpp@LeadershipPikesPeak.org

Golfers Against Cancer AutoNation Subaru Celebrity Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: University of Colorado Cancer Center (uch.edu/colorado-cancer-center) Pinehurst Country Club, Denver Contact: Scott Pearson, 303-513-3516; sgpearson66@gmail.com

July 31

Cherry Creek Rotary Open Beneficiary: Denver Cherry Creek Rotary Foundation (egolftourney.com/rotarygolf) Bear Dance Golf Club, Larkspur Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Maen, dcboulevard@qwestoffice.net

Food for the Hungry

Beneficiary: Food for the Hungry (fh.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Timothy Smith, 480-609-7720; tsmith@fh.org

August 2

4th Annual Mike Bamford Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado (mikebamfordfoundation.org) Redlands Mesa Golf Club, Grand Junction Contact: Kelly Bamford, 970-261-4471; rkbamford@bresnan.net

The Birch Memorial Tournament

Beneficiary: The Birch Memorial Fund (thebirch.org) Kennedy Golf Course, Denver Contact: Brian Munroe, 303-918-5724; birchinfo@comcast.net

August 4

Colorado Safe Haven 1st Annual Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Colorado Safe Haven (coloradosafehaven.org) Red Rocks Country Club, Littleton Contact: Sharon Kalmes, putznco@comcast.net

National Jewish Health Kunsberg Classic

Beneficiary: National Jewish Health (nationaljewish.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Shannon Jennings, 303-728-6504; jenningss@njhealth.org

August 6

4th Annual Smoky Hill Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Smoky Hill Rotary Foundation (smokyhillrotary.org) CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora Contact: Joe Hughes, 303-478-9092; hightekrep@aol.com

August 6

4th Annual Sanctuary Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Big Brothers and Big Sisters (biglittlecolorado.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Dustin Hailey 303-433-6002 x511, dustinh@ biglittlecolorado.org

August 7

Volunteers of America Legends Golf Tournament

Southern Colorado Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Beneficiary: Southern Colorado Fellowship of Christian Athletes (socofca.org) The Club at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs Contact: Jerry Richardson, 719-592-9333; jrichardson@classichomes.com

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains “Tee Off for Hope”

Beneficiary: Lutheran Family Services Programs (lfsrm.org) Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Contact: Danette Goldhammer, 303-2175860; danette.goldhammer@lfsrm.org

Children’s Classic at Sanctuary

Beneficiary: Children’s Hospital (thechildrenshospital.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Lindsey Alexander, 720-777-1759 lalexander@tchfden.org

August 13

Water for People

Beneficiary: Water For People (waterforpeople.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Jossie Auerbach, 720-488-4560; jauerbach@waterforpeople.org

August 14

Steadman Philippon

Beneficiary: Volunteers of America Golf Classic (voacolorado.org) Beneficiary: Steadman Philippon Research Sanctuary, Sedalia Institute (sprivail.org) Contact: Denise Robert, 303-368-5208; Sanctuary, Sedalia Denise@DeniseRobert.com Contact: John McMurtry, 970-479-5781;

August 11

Wounded Warrior Project Tournament

Beneficiary: Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) The Club at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs Contact: Jay Kvale, 719-548-9712 x305; kvale@infinity.aero

Professionals Miracles Foundation Annual Golf Tournament and Evening Gala

Beneficiary: Professionals Miracles Foundation (professionalsmiraclesfoundation.com) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Jeri Evans, 303-916-2255; pmf@jeriandroger.com

mcmurtry@sprivail.org

August 15

Omni Financial Charity Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Mount St. Vincent Home Broadlands Golf Course, Broomfield Contact: Kristie Sekich, 303- 530-7770; charitycommittee@omni-financial.com

August 16

The 5th Annual Clinic Charity Classic

Beneficiary: The National MS Society (nationalmssociety.org) City Park Golf Course, Denver Contact: Ryan Cook, 303-758-9114; ryan@thecliniccolorado.com coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

August 17 & 18

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Beneficiary: Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Stephanie Barreras, 972-581-2372; sbarreras@bgca.org

August 18

Parker Adventist Hospital Foundation Golf Classic

Beneficiary: The Cancer Center at Parker Adventist Hospital (parkerhospitalfoundation.org) The Club at Pradera, Parker Contact: Laura Fitch, LauraFitch@Centura.org

August 21

Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic

Beneficiary: Food Bank of the Rockies (foodbankrockies.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Kristina Thomas, 303-375-5838; kthomas@foodbankrockies.org

August 23

Chris Miranda Memorial Scholarship Tourney

Beneficiary: Poudre School District Foundation Collindale Golf Course, Ft. Collins Contact: Van Miranda, 303-419-6549; dadmir@msn.com

August 25

Hiwan Golf Tournament Hosted by Meadow Creek Tennis Club Beneficiary: Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation (meadowcreektennis.com) Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Contact: Adam Kahn, 303-232-6272; akahn@meadowcreektennis.com

FORE! Our Kids Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Tennyson Center for Children (childabuse.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Tera Prim, 720-855-3316; tera.prim@tennysoncenter.org

Mulligans for Military

Beneficiary: Homes For Our Troops (homesforourtroops.org) Spring Valley Golf Club, Elizabeth Contact: Dan McGrath, 303-881-1472; d.mcgrath42@yahoo.com

Tee it Up for Wounded Warriors & Keystone Adaptive Center

Beneficiary: Keystone Adaptive Center and Wounded Warrior Program (boec.org) Keystone Ranch Golf Course, Keystone Contact: Marci Sloan, 970-453-6422; marci@boec.org

Driving for Diplomas Goodwill Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Goodwill Industries of Denver’s Youth Career Development Program (goodwilldenver.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Allison Eggert, 303-430-5790; aeggert@goodwilldenver.org

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

You Finally Get to Play Sanctuary.

Now what?

A

s a club devoted exclusively to raising money for charity, Sanctuary has generated a cumulative net revenue of more than $73 million since it opened in 1997. This year the Sedalia club created by RE/MAX founders Dave and Gail Liniger will host 27 tournaments as well as numerous foursomes won at select charity auctions, where RE/ MAX mandates an opening bid of $1,600. That’s much less than the $5,000 to $10,000 paid by foursomes at some Sanctuary tournaments.

At that price, it’s no wonder the average golfer may get only one crack at the surreal Jim Engh-designed course.

To make the most of your Sanctuary round, arrive early to experience fully the magnificence of the clubhouse, the views and the wildlife. When it’s time to play golf, know that many of the holes inspire awe, intimidation and confusion. So try to keep in mind the following advice and select hole strategy from the club’s first and only PGA Head Golf Professional, Rudy Zupetz.

PLAY THE RIGHT TEES: Sanctuary runs 7,044 yards from from the Rattlesnake

tees, where the views are breathtaking and the slope is a stout 152. Unless you’re a strong single-digit player, head for the Elk tees (6,369 yards with a 134 slope for men and 151 for women).

BE DECISIVE: Sanctuary presents you with a decision on almost every tee. Do I play conservatively or should I push the envelope? The fairways are plenty wide at designed landing areas but they pinch and become fairly narrow beyond prescribed landing areas, resulting in a high risk/reward round of golf.

HOLE 1: The 185-foot drop from the Rattlesnake Tee to the first landing area can be intimidating but it is a fairly straightforward 604-yard Par 5. Don’t let adrenaline rush your swing. Find the fairway and then ask yourself, is risking the water next to the green worth the reward of reaching this hole in two?

HOLE 2: Your approach plays uphill; club up to carry the greenside bunker.

HOLE 3: Favor the right on your approach. Generous bounces are available versus the native disaster looming left.

HOLE 4: Take advantage on this 571-yard par 5. A tee shot just right of bunker will feed toward the green on this double-right dogleg, leaving a second shot of 200 or less.

HOLE 7: From the 347-yard Elk tee, longer hitters can try to drive this left dogleg by aiming over the visible cart path. Others should aim at the lone pine beyond the fairway.

HOLE 8: Hit driver off the tee as there is more room in upper fairway than meets the eye. If the pin is back, be sure to pull plenty of club. And if you have to putt up the ramp from the front of green, hit it twice as hard as you initially feel.

HOLE 11: You can easily negotiate this 585-yard Par 5 if you treat it as a three-

shotter. If you’re long and gutsy enough to challenge the ravine splitting the fairway, you have a chance of reaching in two.

HOLE 12: Hit it deep and just right of the fairway bunker; it will leave a short approach into the green.

HOLE 13: Longer hitters can drive this green from the 344-yard Elk/Bear tee; others should play just right of the left fairway bunker. All players must watch the pond that protects the green short and right.

HOLE 14: Only players with excellent distance control should attack left hole locations on this dramatic par 3..

HOLE 15: A straight-away tee shot should position you to birdie this 613-yard hard dogleg right, but an aggressive line over the hill—a completely blind shot—could set up an eagle putt.

HOLE 17: Aim your tee shot between the bunker and lone pine. It will leave a short downhill second shot to a narrow green.

For more on Sanctuary, visit sanctuarygolfcourse.com; 303-224-2860.

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

August 27

Contact: Helen Bingham, 303-269-8040; hbingham@regisjesuit.com

Beneficiary: National Sports Center for the Disabled (nscd.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Ashley Skrdlant, 303-293-5311; askrdlant@nscd.org

September 11

Hal O’Leary Golf Classic

August 27-29

HealthONE Colorado Women’s Open Pro-Am

Beneficiary: First Tee of Green Valley Ranch Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Denver Contact: Kevin Laura, 303-486-8551; KLaura@ColoradoOpen.com

August 28

10th Annual Energy Outreach Colorado Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Energy Outreach Colorado (energyoutreach.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Amy Kusek, 303-226-5057; akusek@energyoutreach.org

September 1

Fatty’s Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: National Repertory Orchestra (nromusic.com) Breckenridge Golf Club, Breckenridge Contact: Guy Bigelow, 970-390-2200; julie@nromusic.com

September 4

High Note Classic

Beneficiary: Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale (kidssing.org) Kissing Camels Golf Course at Garden of the Gods Club, Colorado Springs Contact: Sonya Camarco, 303-522-5968; camarco.accounting@gmail.com

September 7-8 OPIE Open

Beneficiary: PAL (denverpal.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Jake Schroeder, 720-203-2415; jschroeder@denverpal.com

September 7-8

10th annual Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum and its youth program partners (coloradosports.org) The Broadmoor East Course, Colorado Springs Contact: Tom Lawrence, 720-258-3536; tlawrence@coloradosports.org

September 10

Drive for Tuition Assistance Beneficiary: Regis Jesuit High School (regisjesuit.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia

Don’t Fear the Finger

Beneficiary: PSA/William R. Meyn Foundation (PleaseSaveAnother.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Dick DelFava, 303-907-6086; rdelfava@milanoinc.com

September 13

Ian Wallace Charity Golf Outing

Beneficiary: Ian James Wallace Scholarship Fund (ianjameswallace.org) Green Valley Ranch Golf Course, Denver Contact: James Wallace, 303 766-4762; jjwalljr@aol.com

September 15

Drive a Scout to Camp

Beneficiary: Boy Scouts of America, Denver Area Council (denverboyscouts.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact : Angela.McAllister, 720-266-2126; angela.mcallister@scouting.org

Small Champions Annual Charity Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Small Champions (smallchampions.com) Beaver Creek Golf Club, Beaver Creek Contact: John Weiss, 970- 390-0004; smallchampions@gmail.com

September 22

The Denver Santa Claus Shop 5th Annual GOLF TOURNAMENT

Beneficiary: The Denver Santa Claus Shop (denversantaclaushop.org/golf) Pinehurst Country Club, Denver Contact: Deb K., santahelper@denversantaclausshop.org

September 29

Mark Wiebe’s Adam’s Camp Classic

Beneficiary: Adam’s Camp (adamscamp.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Sarah Hartway, 303-563-8290 ext. 13; sarah@adamscamp.org

Highlands Ranch Metro District – Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Highlands Ranch Park & Recreation Foundation (highlandsranch.org) Highlands Ranch Golf Club, Highlands Ranch Contact: Jill Nunes, 720-240-5933; jnunes@highlandsranch.org CAG

Junior Golf Membership Colorado PGA Junior Membership is your all access pass to junior golf in Colorado.

CPGA/YMCA Summer Camps The Colorado PGA and the YMCA offer week-long summer camps around the Denver-Metro area in a stress-free, non-threatening, fun environment.

Colorado PGA Junior Tour The Junior Tour is a way for juniors to gain competitive golf experience in a relaxed and fun environment.

Kids Play Free Provides free playing and practice opportunities at participating facilities for juniors.

Girl Power Golf A girls-only developmental program that emphasizes attracting and retaining girls by incorporating fun and engaging instruction and social activities both on and off the golf course.

Colorado PGA Team Golf Team Golf provides developmental team events to children ages 7 to 14 introducing them to the competitive side of golf in a fun, stress-free environment.

To find more information on any part of the puzzle, please visit

ColoradoPGAJuniorGolf.com

F sh & Chips

Colorado’s exceptional waters invite golfers to land a fly as skillfully as they would an approach shot.

By Kim D. McHugh

Roaring Fork Club

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

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I

n the movie

A River Runs Through It the fly-fishing scenes are so cinematically intoxicating they alone could inspire one either to take up the sport or spawn more frequent outings for those anglers already hooked. Whether watching it or wading in, there is no question that golf and fly-fishing have similarities.

“Fly-fishing, like golf, is a mental and physical experience,” says Russ Miller, Director of Golf at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. “Mentally, the fisherman must concentrate on each cast, similar to a golfer concentrating on each swing.”

Miller, a long time fly-fisherman, points out that finesse and patience also come into play.

“A smooth transition in the back cast and forward cast is a must,” Miller adds. “If the cast is bad, the fish can be spooked. Similar to a bad shot in golf, once it’s made, there’s no do-over.”

Golf aficionados like Miller who have an affinity for fly-fishing are fortunate to have numerous options around the state to trade their 7-iron for a fly rod.

Private Clubs

The Club at Cordillera (Edwards) Homeowners, club members and guests of The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera (in that order) have private access to 1.6 miles of the Eagle River.

A one- or two-day Orvis Colorado Fly-Fishing School covering casting, fly selection, how to read currents and how to safely release fish is available in Edwards June through September. Members of Cordillera and Lodge guests receive a 15 percent discount on all fly-fishing trips.

Roaring Fork Club (Basalt) With eight stocked trout ponds, the Gold Medal waters of the Roaring Fork River flowing

Rio Grande Club

though the Roaring Fork Club and a mile long stretch of Spring Creek, an offshoot of the river that flows through the golf course, the club is among Colorado’s top private fly-fishing venues. There are more than 2,000 trout on property and a Kid’s Pond for fishing with bait and lures. Members also have access to a 14-mile stretch of the Frying Pan River that enjoys Gold Medal distinction as well.

Rio Grande Club (South Fork) The club has one mile of private Gold Medal fly-fishing on the Rio Grande River and threequarters of a mile on Alder Creek.

Members and guests can also fish and take casting clinics on a twoacre pond adjacent to the clubhouse. Rod fees for non-members staying with a Rio Grande Club member or in a member-owned townhome run $35 per day and guides are available through South Fork Anglers.

Ironbridge Golf Club (Glenwood Springs) Open to the public for golf, Ironbridge Golf Club reserves fly-fishing for members who may fish two ponds on the course stocked with rainbows between 16 and 18 inches long. Members and guests renting properties within the community benefit from ac-

cess to the ponds as well as a Gold Medal stretch of the Roaring Fork River, which is approximately a mile and a half away.

Adam’s Rib Ranch (Eagle) This secluded enclave provides fly-fishing on five ponds stocked with rainbow and brown trout.

The ponds are a great place for beginners, children or casting tune-ups. Members can fish a four-mile stretch of Brush Creek that runs through the community that offers open fishing as well as more technical areas.

Fish in the ponds range between 14 and 24 inches, and from eight to fourteen inches in the creek.

The Glacier Club (Durango) Members teeing up here won’t find fly-fishing on site, but the nearby Animas River buddies up with tributaries Hermosa, Lime and Cascade Creeks so anglers can get their fishing on. The better lake fishing is on Electra, Little Molas and Andrew Lakes, and there are more small mountain streams than someone could fish in a lifetime. Further satisfying members are guided trips on the Southern Ute Reservation who try their luck on tribal portions of the Animas, Los Pinos, Piedra and San Juan Rivers.

May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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Golf Resorts

The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs) Debuting this summer, The Broadmoor Fly Fishing School invites resort guests to fish a pond on Hole #6 of the East Course. Adirondack architecture characterizes the look of the new fly-fishing cabin, which also serves as a private dining space for up to 20 people. Off property, guests, led by guides, wet lines on primarily Gold Medal stretches of the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers, the trophy trout waters of Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs, private and public stretches of Tarryall Creek, and by appointment on the mountain lakes at the resort’s Ranch at Emerald Valley, located eight miles up the mountain in Pike National Forest.

The River Course at Keystone (Keystone) A public easement on a three-mile length of the Snake River running through Keystone Resort makes for

The River Course at Keystone

great fly-fishing near The River Course, and two-plus miles of the Blue River flowing through Silverthorne, just seven miles away, is open to the public.

Golfers looking for an exclusive fishing location can hone their skills on Keystone Lake, which is home to giant rainbow and cutthroat trout, with a few nice brook trout thrown in to keep it interesting. Only anglers who hire a guide through Keystone’s Activity Center have access to Keystone Lake.

Copper Creek Golf Course (Copper Mountain) Running from Frisco to Copper Mountain, Ten-Mile Creek feeds the fly-fishing appetites of golfers playing Copper Creek who can also opt to travel 40-minutes or so to fish the middle fork of the South Platte near Fairplay.

Beaver Creek Golf Club, Red Sky Golf Club and Son-

Get Hooked Of Colorado’s more than 8,000 miles of streams, and 2,000-plus lakes and reservoirs, there are 322 miles of Gold Medal Trout Waters; streams, rivers and lakes designated by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for the quality of their cold water trout habitat and capability to create trout 14 inches or longer.

Area outfitters agree that the most popular time of year to fish begins after the spring runoff in April and May. June and July mark the beginning of dry-fly season, which lasts through the middle of October. However attractive the long and temperate days of summer or the magnificence of the turning leaves of autumn, it may surprise golfers that winter is the secret fishing season.

56

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

ing, and two stocked ponds, one in Town Park, one in Mountain Village, are well suited for kids.

Haymaker Golf Course and Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club (Steamboat Springs) A seven-mile-long section of the Yampa River runs through Steamboat Springs, enticing golfers to cast their lines within ten minutes of these layouts. Elk River, a public stretch of water, is 15 minutes from town with a second stretch a half an hour away.

Also just 30 minutes from town are too many high mountain lakes and streams to list here.

The waters in the region are renowned for producing some of the biggest trout in the country.

Granby Ranch (Granby) Meandering for three miles, one of which runs alongside the golf course, this community’s private length of the Fraser River is alluring to club members, lodg-

nenalp Golf Course (Eagle County) Before or after teeing up at these Vail Valley courses, fly-fishing, which is typically guided, takes place primarily on the Eagle River between Avon and Wolcott.

Telluride Golf Club (Telluride) With no on-course fly-fishing, members and resort guests head to the Upper Dolores River, the west fork of the Dolores and the Uncompahgre River.

In town there is about a mile of the San Miguel River that is quite fishable. East of town is a public three-mile stretch of the San Miguel that also fishes well, and area guides have access to private waters.

Numerous creeks and “hike-to” lakes Granby Ranch have superb fly-fish-

Running with brown, cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout, the rivers, streams, ponds and lakes give anglers a shot at a “hat trick” or a “grand slam,” where three or four different species may be caught in one outing. To improve their odds of catching fish, anglers need to consider the value of guides.

“A golfer takes a caddie to read greens, assist in making club selections, look for balls, and provide conversation,” explains John Livingston, Fishing Director at The Roaring Fork Club.

“An angler might take a fishing guide to read the water, select the type of rod and fly, look for flies stuck on the bottom or in trees, and be a companion on the water. Caddies and fishing guides are the insiders, and they bring you to beautiful places.”

As rewarding as it is to hole a bunker shot for a birdie, teasing a cutthroat into striking is equally satisfying. No wonder golfers get hooked.

For a sampling of the many outfitters in Colorado, visit coloradoavidgolfer.com. coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Breckenridge

ing guests and the general public. To fly-fish for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout on this Gold Medal water, anglers must pay a fee, which is reduced for club members. Granby Ranch, through local outfitters, offers beginning fly-fishing and customizes outing to the skill level of anglers.

Public Courses

Aspen Golf Club (Aspen) Though there is no fly-fishing at this public layout about ten minutes from downtown Aspen, golfers need only head a few miles down valley to test their angling skills on the Roaring Fork. Add 20 to 30-minutes to the drive and the Frying Pan accentuates the fun.

Breckenridge Golf Club (Breckenridge) Summit County vies for bragging rights with the Vail Valley for the highest concentration of courses near epic fly-fishing. Breckenridge, the only municipality in the world to own a 27-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, has a pond open to fly-fishing, but the better experience is on the Blue River between Lake Dillon and town.

Two miles of water near the entrance of the course is good for browns and rainbows, while the Swan River east of the course is home to brookies and cutthroats. CAG Contributor Kim D. McHugh is a Lowell Thomas award-winning writer and member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

Cost of Casting Anglers fishing public and private waters are required to carry a license issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. An annual license runs $26 for residents. Non-residents pay $56 for the annual license, $21 for a five-day license; all pay $10 for a Habitat Stamp as well. A daily license for residents and non-residents costs $9 with no Habitat Stamp requirement. The majority of fishable water is “catch and release” only.

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Next On the Tee:

Lewis & Clark North Dakota’s 19-course golf trail has been 200 years in the making.

By Denny Dressman 60

Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

P H O T O C O U RT E S Y O F T heodore R oose v elt M edora F oundat i on / C h i p H enderson P hotography

n a late January afternoon in North Dakota,

the temperature had barely climbed into double digits. Dozens of ice fishing huts dotted Lake Sakakawea where U.S. 83 crosses the recreational body of water created by Garrison Dam. Pickup trucks parked alongside many of the huts, right on the frozen surface.

Ice clogged the Missouri River for its hundred-plus-mile stretch from Williston to Bismarck—as it nearly always does during the first month of the year—in some places creating a frozen crust of uncertain strength from shore to shore. And just below the I-94 bridge in Bismarck, the Lewis and Clark Riverboat, a sidewheeler popular with tourists in the summer, sat out the off-season on stacks of wooden beams.

Potentially damaging floes raced by in deceptive currents detected only in occasional patches of open water.

At the height of winter in North Dakota, it is hard to imagine any part of the state being a destination for a fantastic—let alone an enjoyable—golf adventure. In that regard, not much has changed in the 200 years since Capt. Merriwether Lewis and Second Lt. William Clark led a band of more than twodozen volunteers—a U.S. Army unit commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson—to explore co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

BADLANDS BEAUTY: Bully Pulpit Golf Course tucks in between the forested buttes near Medora.

the newly acquired land of the Louisiana Purchase.

But just as those frontiersmen discovered another world when their long winter turned to spring and summer, so too will golfers find a surprising collection of courses, as well as breathtaking scenery and a booming energy economy, in the half of North Dakota that comprised the easternmost portion of those 828,000 square miles purchased from France for $15 million.

BIRTH OF A NOTION “Fishermen go where they think there’s fish. Golfers go where they think they’ll have a good time playing interesting courses.”

With that, former reporter Bob Kallberg succinctly explains his thinking that ultimately produced the Lewis and Clark Golf Trail, an idea spawned in 2000, when folks from St. Louis to Portland were planning what became a Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration that lasted 29 months—the length of the

in 2002—a year before the bicenexplorers’ round trip.

North Dakota boasts more tennial began, he introduced the golf courses per capita than any Lewis and Clark Golf Trail to other state (more cattle, too, the golf world.

In a colorful four-fold brofolks in the Division of Tourism wink). And tourism is the docu- chure—the first Lewis & Clark mented third largest economic Golf Trail Guide—Kallberg exdriver in the state. Kallberg de- tolled the virtues of each course cided to utilize the former to en- in separate paragraphs for each location. He wrote everything, hance the latter.

“When you’re trying to at- even “the governor’s message.” tract the golfers of the world,” His opening is as true today as it Kallberg says, “you have to have was a dozen years ago.

“Lewis and Clark never played a hook.” In this case, the brave explorers from 200 years before golf when they were here in 1804-06,” he began, “but if they provided it.

Armed only with his concept, came back today—they would.”

Kallberg more or less retraced Lewis and Clark’s path along the Missouri River from Bismarck to Williston, calling on every golf course along the way.

He branched out some, too, visiting courses in Dickinson, Medora and WINTER WAIT; Bismarck’s popular side-wheeler.

Minot as well. And May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

61

BULLY FOR YOU: Plunging drops and endless views highlight Hurzdan’s work at Bully Pulpit.

Playing golf in North Dakota is all about meeting the people of North Dakota, says Coloradobased golf-course architect Jim Engh, a North Dakota native whose design at the relocated Minot Country Club is scheduled to open next year. “Going up there is about the experience,” he says. “The people make the experience. The people are cool.”

Beyond that, great value and challenging variety differentiate the Lewis and Clark Golf Trail from other geographic collections of courses.

Fifteen of the 19 Trail stops have 18-hole green fees less than $30. (Cart fees are additional at all, mostly in the $10-$15 range per player for 18 holes.) That makes most Trail stops affordable for couples or families.

And for the package price of $165 plus tax, even the three

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

priciest courses on the Trail— Hawktree in Bismarck, The Links of North Dakota near Williston, and Bully Pulpit in Medora—average $55 apiece, thanks to the North Dakota Triple Challenge.

An added benefit of the Challenge is that it ensures that golfers will tour western North Dakota— from Bismarck to Williston to Medora, regardless of which course they play first.

As far as challenge and variety go, slope ratings range from the mid-100s to a few in the 130s. Proficient golfers will find plenty of tests at four nationally ranked layouts: the Triple Challenge trio plus 45-year-old

Riverwood, which is only about nine miles from Hawktree. But there’s plenty of enjoyable golf for players of all abilities.

Ranked by Golf Digest as the No. 1 course in North Dakota in 2013, the Engh-designed Hawktree ranges in length from 4,868 to 7,085 yards. Black coal sand fills the brawny bunkers; three lakes and a creek come into play on 11 holes; and the wind factors into all 18. Right from the first hole, Hawktree majors in the exhilarating tee shots, quirky greens and copious riskreward options for which Engh

people “The make the experience,” Jim Engh says

about North Dakota.

people “The are cool. ”

has earned his stripes. By the time you’ve reached the uphill par-5 finisher, you’ll be aching to play it again.

Hawktree’s neighbor, Riverwood, is a great course to walk.

Defined by the massive cottonwoods common along the Missouri River, this course demands accuracy off the tee. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys and the occasional red fox make it almost like playing in a wildlife preserve.

Tom Lehman, an aspiring tour pro at the time, won a tournament at Riverwood with an evenpar 216 in 1982.

The views and scenery where the Missouri River, dammed downstream, forms the western end of Lake Sakakawea add to the experience of a round at The Links of North Dakota, the highly regarded Stephen Kay minimalist layout located on SR 1804 east of Williston. The 7,082-yard course, colorado avidgo lf e r.c o m

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HOMESPUN: Dickinson native Jim Engh’s nationally revered Hawktree.

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, the nightly Medora Musical (billed as “the root-

Jim Engh, who grew up in Dickinson and played Heart River Golf Course when it

HEARTLAND OR SCOTLAND: The Links of North Dakota

in’-tootinest, boot-scootinest show in all the west”), and the elegant Rough Riders Hotel, where Teddy Roosevelt is remembered with an 1,100-book library in the lobby, and “Teddy” bears— complete with his trademark wire-rimmed eyeglasses—sit on the bed in each room to greet arriving guests.

Four other 18-hole courses and 11 nine-hole courses have a lot to offer, too. “People in small towns take great pride in their golf courses,” Kallberg notes.

was the nine-hole Dickinson Country Club, knows firsthand what Kallberg is talking about.

Engh designed the ninehole Medicine Hole Golf Course in Killdeer, and it occupies a special place in the hearts of everyone at Jim Engh Design. “We kinda did that one by the seat of our pants,” Engh says. He, Mitch Scarborough, who is president of Jim Engh Design’s Asia Pacific Operations, and others actually worked on the nine-hole, par 36 Medicoloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P H O T O s C O U RT E S Y O F j i m engh / haw k tree ( top ) and the l i n k s of north da kota

which opened in 1995, rolls, pitches and tumbles like a links, with wide fairways, waterfront winds, and vexing native rough. Eighty bunkers—some sod-walled—dictate your plan of attack into challenging greens. Making the experience more inviting, a number of on-course cabins welcome players to stay.

Nestled in The Badlands off a road that bears markers reading “Custer Trail,” Bully Pulpit is almost two golf courses in one. The first 13 holes of this Michael Hurdzan design follow the valleys, meadows and woodlands along the Little Missouri River, but 14 through 18 bring you into the rugged buttes that distinguish this unforgiving terrain from the rest of North Dakota near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The canyon winds change the game from shot to shot—especially on the all-carry par-3 15th, where a two- to three-club wind usually howls from right to left and an infinity-edge green perches atop a hill, leaving no room to bail out.

Medora itself is a quaint western town that features numerous historic sites, the

A CUT ABOVE

P H O T O s C O U RT E S Y O F the l i n k s of north da kota

ON THE WATERFRONT: Lake Sakakawea borders The Links

cine Hole course with many local residents, supplementing bulldozers typically used on such a project with farm tractors and other implements to stay within the community’s modest budget. Residents raised money with bake sales and other activities. Named for a cave in the nearby Killdeer Mountains, it’s the newest course on the Trail, beginning play in 2004.

Two other nine-hole courses—Riverdale and Hazen—bear a mention in the context of community pride.

At Hazen Golf Course, locals find an almost perverse enjoyment in what they call “The Shortest Par Five in North Dakota.”

It’s actually a 200-yard Par 3 with a severely crowned green. Making par is akin to eating an entire 32-ounce T-bone in one sitting.

Meanwhile, a truly unique experience awaits at Riverdale, the town built to house workers who constructed Garrison Dam, which is the fifth largest earthen dam in the world, between 1947 and 1953. Touted as “an example of what dedicated volunteers can do to provide a golf experience for their community,” Riverdale Golf Course features synthetic greens. Yes, synthetic. If you want a taste of what the PGA Tour’s lightning greens are like, give Riverdale a try.

PROFITS OF BOOM Golf aside, if Lewis and Clark did return to North Dakota today, they likely would be greatly puzzled—possibly even frightened—by what they would see on their Missouri River route. Gas flares burn off excess natural gas at many oil wells around the clock, and those rigs known as horseheads (or “nodding donkeys,” to some) pump nonstop, filling vertical tanks that stand co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

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Colorado AvidGolfer |May 2014

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Wednesday, September 10

silently and motionless nearby like so many soldiers in formation.

Oil was discovered in North Dakota near Williston on April 4, 1951, but the “boom”—that frenzy of exploration and production that rivals the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s in California—began in North Dakota only seven years ago, and shows no signs of waning.

As of last September, the state had almost 10,300 wells capable of producing oil and gas. The annual output was nearly 900,000 barrels of oil—second only to Texas in the U.S.—and more than 250 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

Long-time residents of North Dakota, particularly those in the 17 counties within the Bakken/Three Forks Formation, are struggling to adjust to outsiders drawn to the state by high-paying, steady employment and, in some cases, lucrative returns on investment. It’s fundamentally not much different than when the white man came in 1804. Native Americans along the Missouri River found it difficult to cope with those strangers, too.

The roads within 50 miles of Williston in all directions are what might be called a truck-rich environment, with tandem tankers, heavy-duty pickups, and an assortment of tractor-trailers and rigging outfits outnumbering by plenty the SUVs and sedans.

(The top-selling dealerships for pickup trucks are now located in Bismarck.) The bars are busier; DUIs are up.

Towns such as Watford City, home of Fox Hills Golf & Country Club, now include expanses of mobile homes, called “man camps,” to house the influx of oilfield workers. Rents have doubled, or in some cases tripled, squeezing seniors in particular.

Many school districts are “Running out of ROOMS,” as a headline in The Dickinson Press put it. (The accompanying story noted that Hagen Junior High began the 2008 school year with 373 students, but by 2017 the number of seventh and eight graders will be between 550 and 600.) In the same newspaper, another report ominously warned that one town’s natural gas and electric utilities were perilously close to capacity. In Belfield, just down the road from Heart River Golf Club, members of the Zoning and Planning Commission were surprised when a developer planning a 42-acre multi-use project told them:

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conditions

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GOING RIG TIME: North Dakota’s oil-fueled energy boom has brought jobs and golfers.

“You’re in a real hurt. Be careful what you approve.”

There are two sides to this story, of course.

The glass-half-full view notes that North Dakota now has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, and has a billion-dollar budget surplus. “The boom is creating lucrative jobs and keeping young people here,” says Steve Pine, president of Pine Petroleum. “The state’s population is up at least 100,000.” Some economists estimate the boom is creating more than 2,000 millionaires per year.

The North Dakota Division of Tourism notes that 59 new hotels opened in the past two years, adding more than 5,000 rooms. Tourism has increased and golf has benefitted, as well. Several courses have undergone renovation or expansion,

MOUNTAIN-STYLE and play has increased.

“The oil boom has brought people into the state who wouldn’t be here otherwise,” says Chuck McCauley, an owner of The Links of North Dakota. Part of a group that bought the course at auction several years before the boom began, he’s seen it before and after. “Play has at least doubled,” he says. “We get people who’ve heard about the boom and want to check it out, and we get a lot of the folks who’ve come here to work. It’s the same all over this part of the state.”

play

Along I-25 in the Front Range.

CAG

Contributor Denny Dressman is the author of numerous books (comservbooks.com).

For more information on the 19-course Lewis and Clark Golf Trail, visit lewisandclarkgolftrail.com.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Bismarck, the starting point for The Lewis & Clark Golf Trail, is roughly 11 hours from Denver by car—a route that can include Mount Rushmore. The flight from Denver to Bismarck is about 90 minutes. However one chooses to go, the ice and freezing cold are gone by April. Prime golf weather is mid-May to late September.

In addition to golf, North Dakota historical attractions include Fort Mandan and the North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (fortmandan.com) in Washburn; Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (fortlincoln.com), from which George Armstrong Custer departed to his fateful battle at Little Big Horn; “Sakakawea’s Village” at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/knri/) in Stanton; and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora (medora.com), west of Dickinson.

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

Let us host your 2014 tournament Call 720-733-3504 to schedule a visit or for more information.

For tee times and other information: 720-733-3500 or redhawkridge.com.

May 2014 | Colorado AvidGolfer

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Golf

EName levated Tease the holes that take the game to new heights.

P

games Of

layers at Sanctuary in Sedalia marvel at the 185-foot plunge from the Rattlesnake tees to the first fairway. Now imagine a mountaintop tee perched 1,225 feet higher than that, accessible only by helicopter, and plummeting to a green shaped like the African continent—including the island of Madagascar. Located at South Africa’s Legend Golf & Safari Resort with, the “Extreme 19th” is the longest par-3 in the world (see photos at right) at 435 yards—although it plays roughly 270 yards because of the elevation. No one has ever aced this optional adventure, although actor Morgan Freeman, who once portrayed Nelson Mandela, made a rather presidential par. Colorado has its share of dramatic elevated tee shots. Can you identify the six courses featuring the vertiginous ones pictured here? CAG

TRIVIA

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PUZZLERS

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2014

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