FALL 2012

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At 32, Josh KroenKe governs 3 pro teams, plays to a 9 and has one tireless work ethic.

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InsideContents

58

43

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35

32

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In every Issue 8 Forethoughts Golf with a Perfect Stranger.

By Jon Rizzi 17 Gallery The Tour Club, Derek Tolan’s comeback, Erik Billinger, more.

76 The Games of Golf Know You Ryder Player’s Corner 23 Home Course The Greg Mastriona Courses at Hyland Hills 26 Lesson How to Lag. By Jerry Walters 28 Lesson The Med Ball miracle.

By Doug Wherry 30 Head Games Don’t Try So Hard. By Elena King and Denise McGuire 32 Memorabilia Major golf license plates.

By Rob Mohr.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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F e at u r e s Sidebets 35 Fareways Flagstaff House, Frasca Food & Wine, Restaurant Kevin Taylor, Palace Arms and Beatrice & Woodsley.

By Lori Midson 38 Nice Drives Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari FF, Jaguar XJ Supercharged,Mercedes SL550, Porsche Panamera GTS. By Isaac Bouchard

43

WINTER TRAVEL PLANNER Where to stay and play in Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

Cover Photo: Josh Kroenke at Cherry Hills Country Club.

Photograph by E.J. Carr

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Mile High Golf at $52.80 Exclusive autumn offers from a dozen Front Range courses.

58

Josh Kroenke, Unguarded The 32-year-old Nuggets and Avalanche boss is athletic, intelligent and industrious—all qualities that work well in the office and the golf course. By Jon Rizzi

62

Saving the West for First Restoring the West Course is only the beginning of The Broadmoor’s $60 million renovation project. By Jon Rizzi

66

Doglegs Left, Right and Center A salute to golf course canines. By Jon Rizzi

68

Out of the Rough After five years of dormancy, home sales on Colorado golf courses are springing back to life. By Kim McHugh

ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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AT&T. The natio netw HTC ONE™ X

4G speeds not available everywhere. Comparison based on U.S. cities and towns with 4G coverage. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Screen images simulated. Š2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. Service provided by AT&T Mobility. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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Book your event at LE GRAND and get all the charm and character of PARIS

Fall 2012 Volume 11, Number 3

Fall 2012 Volume 11, Number 6 publisher

Allen J. Walters editor

Jon Rizzi art director

Jeremy Cantalamessa editor-at-large

Tom Ferrell

dining editor

Lori Midson automotive editor

Isaac Bouchard

custom packages unique to each event Full Audiovisual Capabilities | 10 to 500 Guests | Anniversary & Birthday Parties Weddings, Receptions & Rehearsal Dinners | Club Luncheons | Office Happy Hour Manager Outings | Holiday Parties | Corporate Meetings & Presentations

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contributors

Sam Adams, Andy Bigford, Tony Dear, Lynn DeBruin, Sue Drinker, Dick Durrance II, Chris Duthie, Amy Freeland, Lois Friedland, Barbara Hey, David R. Holland, Ted Johnson, Kaye W. Kessler, Jake Kubié, Todd Langley, Kim D. McHugh, Emily Ritt, Bob Russo, Jerry Walters, Gil Whiteley, Neil Wolkodoff media sales and sponsorship

John Cullen digital manager /account manager

Jim Plank

office and operations manager

Cindy P. Nold projects and special events manager

Vanessa Van Horn 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 Website: coloradoavidgolfer.com Colorado Avidgolfer (issn 1548-4335) is published nine times a year by baker-Colorado publishing, llC, and printed by American Web, inc. volume 11, number six. 7200 s. Alton Way #b-180, Centennial, Co 80112. Colorado AvidGolfer is available at more than 250 locations, or you Fall order your personal subscription by calling 720-493-1729. subscriptions are available at the rate of $17.95 per year. Copyright © 2012 by baker-Colorado publishing, llC. All rights reserved. reproduction without permission is prohibited. postmaster: send address changes to Colorado Avidgolfer, 7200 s Alton Way #b-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.

m a g a z i n e pa r t n e r o f c h o i c e :

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Forethoughts

Golf with a Perfect Stranger

A

n unforeseen breakup recently plunged me into the online dating demimonde—a place that reminds me a bit of a pet shelter. Sometimes you’re the one scanning the pooches, figuring out which one to pet or maybe take home; other times, you’re in the cage, trying to decide whether a smiling tail wag or a sad-eyed pout will open the door to enduring companionship.

I’ve met some lovely women online, some of whom actually got the humor in my “Are you special enough to be my future ex-wife?” teaser and weren’t too put off by seeing “my first girlfriend” as the response to “Describe your perfect partner.”

What I’ve learned is that I prefer being single on one of those dates to playing as a single at a golf course. My dislike of getting paired with people I don’t know has nothing to do with social or performance anxiety. I am a fun golf partner. I just don’t particularly enjoy lying.

You see, golf, much like any committed relationship, lionizes honesty and integrity. Yet I always feel compelled to fib whenever I’m paired with strangers. I don’t sandbag them with an inflated index or pretend only to speak Italian. I just bend the truth when asked what I do for a living.

If I don’t, some version of the following usually ensues: What’s your favorite course in Colorado? What’s the best course you’ve ever played?

What’s the most exclusive? Have you ever been to the Masters? What famous golfers have you met? Who’s your favorite golfer? Do courses always comp you? Can you get me a deal on clubs? Can you get on Castle Pines?

How do I get your job?

Look, I know I’m privileged to have this job, and I love what I do. And it’s because I respect my station and the game and its concomitant perks that I usually tell people I’m unemployed or do classified work for the government. Blind-date golf (which is what getting paired with strangers at a public course is) seldom leads to a lasting relationship—let alone one where my new friend benefits from the perceived advantages my profession affords. (And yes, people do ask. My contact info appears in every issue.)

Besides, when I’m playing golf on my own, I’m not working—and I don’t want to think about work. Interrogation—flattering though it may be—turns a leisurely round into a busman’s holiday.

And I fully expect to enjoy some leisurely rounds as autumn approaches and the pressure of deadlines lifts. This time of year presents the perfect opportunity to savor some great golf, and thanks to our annual Mile High Golf at $52.80 promotion (see following page), you can do it for less.

In addition to great deals, this issue contains some insight into Nuggets, Avalanche and Rapids governor Josh Kroenke (page 58), who might be more reticent than I am when new playing partners ask what he does for a living. We also look at the dogs that keep the fairways free of geese (66).

Nobody asks them what they do for a living. And unlike many of my fellow online shelter dwellers, just about everyone who sees their happy furry faces treats them well. —JON RIZZI

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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Added driving confidence and off-road performance comes courtesy of Standard 19-inch wheels and a 4-Wheel Electronic Traction System that provides gripping power on wet or dry surfaces.

Equipped with all the state-of-the-art safety features you’d expect from a Mercedes-Benz, the GL450 4MATIC also packs enough muscle to head up a mountain with a boat or a snowmobile in tow.

We invite you to come to Mercedes-Benz of Littleton and test-drive the 2012 GL450. Compare our advantages to other competitive vehicles in performance, safety and price.

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Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Presented BY

Colorado Golf at its finest for $52.80 sePteMBer 17-30 COAL CREEK COLORADO NATIONAL GREEN VALLEY RANCH THE GREG MASTRIONA GOLF COURSES at HYLAND HILLS HERITAGE TODD CREEK

HIGHLANDS RANCH GOLF CLUB KEYSTONE RANCH THE RIVER COURSE AT KEYSTONE OMNI INTERLOCKEN RED HAWK RIDGE THE RIDGE at CASTLE PINES NORTH

Colorado Section

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Coal Creek Golf Course Louisville

Designed by top architect Dick Phelps, Coal Creek Golf Course rates as one of Colorado’s finest 18-hole public golf courses, combining parkland-style, tree-lined fairways with breathtaking views of the nearby Flatiron Mountains. Measuring 7,028 yards from the back tees and 5,185 yards from the forward tees, Coal Creek ensures challenge and enjoyment for each and every golfer.

$52.80 includes:

Two Green Fees with Golf Cart for $52.80.

Valid Monday through Thursday 12pm – 4:00pm

585 W. dillon rd., louisville; 303-666-7888; CoalCreekgolf.com

Colorado national Golf Club Erie

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

$52.80 Includes:

Monday-Friday anytime and weekends after 12pm (excluding holidays) for $52.80 per person.

Includes green fee, golf cart, range balls and a sleeve of golf balls.

2700 Vista Pkwy. erie; 303-926-1723 x1; ColoradonationalGolfClub.com

Green Valley ranch Golf Club Denver

Home of all three HealthONE Colorado Open Championships, Green Valley Ranch Golf Club stretches to a demanding 7,280 yards and blends natural wetlands, creeks and towering cottonwoods. The last three holes make up one of the best finishes in all of Colorado golf.

$52.80 Includes:

18-hole green fee, 18-hole cart fee with GPS, driving range balls and one (1) sleeve of Bridgestone E5, E6 or E7 golf balls. Valid anytime Monday–Thursday; and after 12pm on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

4900 Himalaya rd. denver; 303-371-3131; gvrgolf.com

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills Westminster

Known for its unique design and spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills offer a rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels. The facility has received numerous awards including being named one of the Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play in America by Golf Digest.

$52.80 Includes:

Two (2) players receive green fees for 18 holes and two buckets of range balls for $52.80 at the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills. Valid any day after 12 pm.

9650 sheridan Blvd, Westminster; GolfHylandHills.com

Heritage todd Creek, Thornton

A premier Denver-area golf course, Heritage Todd Creek Golf Club has been carefully crafted to complement the native contours of the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape. With rolling terrain, a variety of elevation changes and meandering creek, native grasses and wetlands, this 7,435-yard Arthur Hills signature championship golf course goes beyond the ordinary round of golf.

$52.80 Includes:

Golf and cart for two players for $52.80. Includes a draft beer or soda per player. Tee times valid after 12pm and can be booked up to 7 days in advance.

8455 Heritage dr., thornton; 303-655-1779; heritagetoddcreekgolf.com

Highlands ranch Golf Club Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch Golf Club is an 18-hole semi-private golf club featuring a Hale Irwin-designed championship golf course. The course, which opened in 1998, features a great variety of immaculately groomed holes. The 7,179-yard par-72 layout boasts expansive bentgrass greens that many say are the best in the region.

$52.80 Includes:

18 holes of golf, cart and range balls. Offer valid Monday-Thursday anytime, Friday before 11:30am, Saturday and Sunday after 1pm.

9000 Creekside Way, Highlands ranch; 303.471.0000; HighlandsranchGolf.com

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Keystone resort Keystone

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

$52.80 Includes:

970-496-4250; golfkeystone.com

18 holes at either Keystone Ranch or The River Course from $52.80 per person, golf car, practice facility access and range balls. Valid Sunday–Thursday after 11am at Keystone Ranch and after 12pm at The River Course. Must be booked online at www.golfkeystone.com. Use promo code “Avid52.80”. Stay the night and receive discounted lodging. Call 888-697-1102 and mention promo code “12KAvid” to reserve a room today.

omni interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield

Consisting of three nine-hole courses–Eldorado, Vista and Sunshine–designed by David Graham and Gary Panks, Omni Interlocken Resort ranks as one of the Front Range’s top 27-hole facilities. As the former host of the John Elway Celebrity Classic, the course challenged the likes of Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley with contoured fairways, multi-leveled greens and deep native rough.

$52.80 Includes:

Round of golf (guest fee), cart fee including GPS and use of practice facility. Valid Monday through Thursday anytime.

Must call to make reservation.

800 eldorado Blvd. Broomfield; 303-464-9000 x8

red Hawk ridge Golf Course, Castle Rock

This Jim Engh design features extreme elevation changes, abundant wildlife, dramatic vistas and rolling terrain, which is accentuated by Engh’s unique brand of architecture. The 6,942-yard layout has five sets of tees and welcomes golfers of all experience and skill levels with countless risk/reward opportunities, strategically placed bunkers and greenside lakes.

$52.80 Includes:

18-holes of golf and cart for one (1) player. Offer valid Monday–Thursday anytime and Friday– Sunday after 12 p.m.

2156 red Hawk ridge dr., Castle rock; 720-733-3500; redhawkridge.com

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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The Ridge at Castle Pines North Castle Rock

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

$52.80 Includes:

Golf, golf cart, practice balls, yardage card, scorecard and divot repair tool. Tee times valid after 12 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and anytime Monday through Thursday. Tee times may be booked 1 day in advance.

1414 Castle Pines Parkway Castle Rock; 303-688-0100; playtheridge.com

2012 Golf Passport Save BIG at Colorado’s 53 best courses, including The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Inverness Golf Club and Green Valley Ranch with a 2012 Golf Passport. Take advantage of discounted golf as well as restaurant and retail deals. BUY YOURS TODAY! $52.80 Includes:

Two (2) 2012 Golf Passports (reg. price for 1 $79.95) Golf balls not included.

September is always the BEST month to play golf in Colorado! To order or for more information go to ColoradoAvidGolfer.com/golf-passport.

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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theGallery |

NOTES

|

NAMES

P H O T O G R A P H BY J O s H uA D u P l e c H i A n / R i c H c l A R k s O n & A s s O c i AT e s

NEWS

TOUR PLAYERS: John Fechter (left) and Ben Addoms of The Tour Club.

Perfectly Clubbed

T

hree years ago, with the economy shaky, Ben Addoms and John Fechter had a “Peanut Butter Cup moment.” Addoms, the co-founder and CMO of the Broomfield-based Quintess luxury destination clubs, carried the chocolate—a network of more than 100 luxury homes in more than 40 destinations around the world. Fechter, the founder of PGA Tour Experiences, brought the peanut butter—the brand awareness, power, prestige and private-club access of the PGA Tour.

On Addoms’ initiative, the two collided in West Palm Beach, and the resulting confection—The Tour Club—gets members access to a $1 billion portfolio of luxury assets at private golf clubs, resort courses, golf residences and dazzling homes at the world’s most sought-after golf destinations. “We both wanted to diversify and provide more security for our companies,” says Fechter. “It couldn’t have worked out better.”

A one-time fee of $75,000 and annual dues of $2,500 gets Tour Club members the chance at a full golf experience at Firestone, The Glen Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Club, Pronghorn, Pelican Hill and dozens of other exclusive clubs. This September will bring members (at $3,000 per foursome) to San Francisco’s Olympic Club, site of this year’s U.S. Open, for a golf tourney.

Plans call for future sites of every golf major to host similar events.

“People love to network, talk about the clubs they’ve played, but they don’t necessarily know how to get on courses where they don’t have a buddy,” says Fechter. “We do. We just can’t list the courses.” This “invisible hand” guides an informal “play away” network. In addition to unprecedented access, The Tour Club promotes instruction at eight Tour Academies, including one at Broomfield’s Omni Interlocken Hotel.

Seventy percent of Quintess’s 650 members also belong to The Tour Club through the Quintess Collection package, and corporate partners of the PGA Tour also have access to events. “Corporate sales are a big part of our business,” says Fechter, who counts 250 corporate Tour Club members. “The bar is very high in the corporate world. It tends to be up to what the client wants. And they usually want the kind of ‘high-touch’ experiences we provide.”

On the non-corporate side, “Golf is exploding; the diversification has worked,” Addoms enthuses. “Avid golfers are avid again. They’re interested in their leisure time and in investing in experiential wealth, not material possessions, and the luxury experiences we provide create lifelong memories.” thetourclub.com; 800-690-7820 Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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theGallery amateur title, shooting a 6-under 278, good enough to tie for 18th overall. coloradoopen.com

Won of Our Own

Go Derek

After playing “like crap” in the third round of this year’s HealthONE Colorado Open, 2009 champion Derek Tolan found himself tied for third, five shots behind leader Zahkai Brown of Arvada. But Tolan, a 26-year-old aspiring PGA Tour player, wiped away Saturday’s even-par 71 to fire a 6-under 65 on Sunday, nipping Brown by a stroke. Playing in one of his first professional events since graduating from Colorado State this spring, Brown, the 2011 Golf Association’s Player of the Year, had tied the event’s third-round record (an 8-under 63) set in 2004 by Kelly Grunewald and Jeff Klein. He still had four shots on Tolan with only nine holes to play. But Tolan, who in 2009 carded the lowest total score (22-under 262) in the event’s 48-year history, finished with three birdies and six pars while Brown made bogey on four holes—including the par-3 17th, which put him a two behind heading into the long par-five 18th. His birdie there left him a shot short of a playoff. “To win, especially in a tournament I care so much about, feels great,” Tolan said, holding his $23,000 check. Brown received $13,500 for his runner-up performance. University of Northern Colorado sophomore Steven Kupcho, the 36-hole leader, took the tournament’s low

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

HOT AS HELL: Dimension Z’s Red Devil

club, the longer the shot; the truth is the longer the club, the wider the dispersion. Two, is the notion that lower-lofted drivers make better contact. Contrarily, it’s much easier to square the clubface with additional loft, due to greater surface area.”

With a properly placed center of gravity, drivers accompanied by more loft retain optimal trajectory. Moderate weight in a golf club actually promotes accuracy. 80-gram shafts allow greater control and feel through the swing resulting in superior contact. The new Red Devil driver from Dimension Z Golf incorporates these key elements. dimensionz.com.

A Tale of Two Courses

EXCLUSIVE CLUB: 2012 Robert M. Kirchner Awardwinner Allen J. Walters, flanked by previous recipients Ed Mate (left) and Pat Hamill.

A Devil of a Driver

Longer off the tee often means deeper in the rough. While many driver manufacturers claim to improve distance with longer clubs and lighter shafts, the industry has had to sacrifice accuracy for a scant few additional yards. “Driver lengths have become too long

Even golf communities in the tony areas around Aspen aren’t immune to negative economic forces. River Valley Ranch in Carbondale and Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club in New Castle both got new owners this summer. Dale Rands of Snowmass Village is heading up the purchase of River Valley Ranch from Crown Golf Properties, the Chicago-based company that owns the Aspen Skiing Co. He is not buying the surrounding real estate development, just the course and related facilities for an “inexpensive” price. For approximately $2 million, Warrior Acquisitions of Irvine, Calif., snagged Lakota Canyon, which went into foreclosure

P H O T O G R A P H S BY JA N E H A R DY / S H O T M A K E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y A N D C O U RT E S Y O F D I M E N S I O N Z

COMEBACK KID: Tolan made up four strokes in nine holes to win the HealthONE Colorado Open.

Only 12 distinguished individuals, including Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Jack A. Vickers and Judy Bell, have won the Robert M. Kirchner Award since the Colorado Open Board of Directors established it in 1992. We’re proud to see Colorado AvidGolfer Publisher Allen J. Walters become the thirteenth. Named after the founder of the Colorado Open, the Kirchner award is annually presented at the event “to a chosen individual for having contributed greatly to amateur golf, professional golf, and/or tournament golf in the State of Colorado.” Walters, who since 2004 has served on the Colorado Open board in various capacities (including chairman and president), accepted the award with characteristic humility. “To receive this from people for whom I have so much respect leaves me completely humbled,” he said.

and overall weight too light for the average player to swing the club with any control,” according to Brad Ingermann, president of Dimension Z Golf. Bucking this trend, Dimension Z has recently released the Red Devil, a driver that maintains distance yet controls the shot.

To create the driver, Ingermann had to dispel two preconceived notions in the golf industry: “One is the belief that the longer the

P H O T O G R A P H s c O u RT e s Y O F R i V e R VA l l e Y R A n c H A n D BY e . J . c A R R

CHANGING HANDS: River Valley Ranch

last year and became part of a Chapter 11 reorganization. The well-capitalized Warrior, which has recently invested $50 million in 13 golf properties and commercial and residential interests, has made it clear it’s committed to the course. “As long as we avoid leverage and loans while utilizing the array of assets that other course owners don’t have, we should achieve a solid return,” said Walter bolen, director of investments at Warrior Acquisitions.

prodigal pioneer returns

With the summer departure of assistant head coach Lindsay hulwick to the University of Georgia, former University of Denver golfer and assistant coach erik billinger will work alongside head coach sammie Chergo. Billinger, who from 2002 to 2004 split time as an assistant be-

tween the DU men’s and women’s programs, returns to the school where he twice qualified as an individual for the NCAA championship, won the 2001 Sun Belt Conference Individual Championship and earned Academic All-American honors in 2002. Working at Highlands Ranch Golf Club for the past eight years, Billinger has coached numerous golfers of all ages and skill

levels, including incoming Oklahoma State player Wyndham Clark and NBA star Chauncey billups. “Erik is known as one of the best teachers and players in the area,” Chergo says. “His passion for DU and for college golf, combined with his professionalism and positive energy, will play a huge role in growing our program over the next decade.”

Our Passion is

HelPing You

Follow Yours.

If you are living with joint pain, attend one of our free seminars led by some of our leading orthopedic specialists.

Visit HealthoneorthoCare.com or call 1-877-HealthONE® for more information on seminars in your area.

at Healthone, our network of hospitals and dedicated professionals come together to deliver the highest level of specialized spine and orthopedic care in the Rocky Mountain Region.

HOMECOMING: Billinger’s back at DU. Co lo r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c om

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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theGallery Gallery

Golf

By Numbers 9

players with Colorado ties qualified for last month’s U.S. Amateur Championship at Cherry Hills: ryan axlund (Denver); Jeff Chapman (Denver); parker edens (Greeley); eric hallberg (Castle Rock); bryan kruse (Westminster); Michael schoolcraft (Englewood); Matthew schovee (Cherry Hills Village); Justin spray (Colorado Springs); and andy yang (Aurora). Schoolcraft and Spray qualified for match-play but got knocked out.

Steven Fox of Tennessee defeated California’s Michael Weaver in 37 holes to win the event.

4

Colorado courses rated among Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses you Can Play for

2012. red sky golf Club’s norman roadmoor Course, ranked 34, The broadmoor (east) clocked in at 70, with Jim Engh’s Lakota Canyon ranch golf Club in New Castle (79) and The golf Club redlands Mesa in Grand Junction (94) rounding out the field. Engh’s Hawktree Golf Club in North Dakota and Tullymore Golf Resort in Michigan ranked 81 and 83, respectively.

3

types of AriZona lemonade now feature the likeness of Jack nicklaus.

No doubt drafting off the success of AriZona’s arnold palmer Half & Half products, The “Golden Bear” line comes in Regular with Honey and Ginseng, Mango and Strawberry. Each 23-ounce can features an image of Nicklaus holding the Claret Jug, along with a different milestone from his career: setting the all-time major victories record at the 1973 PGA Championship, winning the 1978 British Open and starring in basketball for the

Upper Arlington High Golden Bears. drinkarizona.com

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P H O T O G R A P H C O U RT E S T Y O F T H E G R E G M A S T R I O N A C O U R S E S AT H Y L A N D H I L L S

COURSES | LESSONS | MEMORABILIA

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL: Hyland Hills’ new clubhouse shines bright.

Paradise Hyland

A new clubhouse and new name elevates Westminster’s legendary golf facility. By Jon Rizzi

L

ike many of us approaching a milestone birthday, Westminster’s Hyland Hills Golf Course has gone through something of a midlife crisis as it turns 50.

First it changed its name. On March 6, the District Board unanimously decided to rechristen the 45-hole facility in honor of Executive Director Greg Mastriona, who has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to the district. “The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills” now appears on all pin flags, scorecards, websites, signage and other course collateral.

One of those signs stands outside the facility’s magnificent new clubhouse—which represents the second significant transformation at Hyland Hills. Looking every bit like it belongs at a private club, the

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

13,100-square-foot, $3.5 million structure opened June 23. Designed

by Denver-based JG Johnson Architects, the firm also responsible for the clubhouses at Riverdale and Indian Tree, Hyland’s new wood, stone and glass building reduced by one-third the footprint of the original clubhouse—a sprawling, low-slung structure that also housed six racquetball courts and juddering expanses of unused space. “The old clubhouse had gotten to the point where it was inefficient,” says Mastriona. “It wasn’t practical. The utilities were high. It had a low, flat roof. It was dark. It had seen its day.”

Mastriona explains this as he sits with District Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer Yvonne Fischbach in Ciancio’s, the clubhouse’s bright, spacious golf grill that makes an immediate, Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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player’sCorner

ON THE WATERFRONT: The Gold’s 200-yard par-3 13th.

HAIRY CARRY: The Gold’s 196-yard par-3 eighth.

Those players will soon be treated to a three-tiered cart-staging area that will also feature flat-screen televisions directing players to their carts and presenting rules and other messages from tournament directors and sponsors. Even scan fit comfortably in the new digs, where the Spruce and Cottonwood conference rooms—both of which have views of the golf course—morph into a scalable banquet facility with the sliding of partitions. The two also connect to the grand grill room, if necessary, accommodating up to 700 people—all of whom Ciancio’s can ably feed, thanks to a far larger kitchen, storage area and prep area.

“We finally have a clubhouse that’s every bit the equal to our great golf courses,” Mastriona says. “All the finishes, all the flooring, the materials—it carries through even to the bathrooms.” With all the other fun facilities in the Hyland Hills District—including Water World, the Ice Centre at the Promenade, Adventure Golf and Raceway, 15 tennis courts, three pools and more—it’s gratifying that the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills not only got a new clubhouse but a new name that’s every bit the equal of the man who helped build the facility into what it has become today. ag

The Greg Mastriona Courses at Hyland Hills are located at 9650 N. Sheridan Blvd. in Westminster. 303-428-6526; golfhylandhills.com

Game stands outside the golf shop entrance.

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P H O T O S C O U RT E S T Y O F T H E G R E G M A S T R I O N A C O U R S E S AT H Y L A N D H I L L S

memorable impression. Its west-facing bank of windows climbs 34 feet, revealing the patio, lush golf course and distant peaks. Crouching at the base of the translucent wall, Ciancio’s well-stocked bar displays a top-shelf collection of multihued liquor bottles that catch the sun like so much stained glass. The cathedral effect continues to the peaked ceiling, where beams of Oregon alder soar. Plush appointments include leather seats, an open fireplace and walls filled with dramatic course photographs stretched across canvases.

Art also leads to the well-stocked golf shop. The life-sized It’s Only a Game, a bronze casting created by Loveland sculptor Bill Bond, commands the hallway from a high pedestal. It depicts one female and two male golfers, clad in early 20th Century attire, swinging, putting and at address. A young caddie stands nearby on a lower, separate plinth. The 20-year-old sculpture, which once stood outside the building, represents the “first major public art endeavor to receive implementation funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District,” according to the nearby plaque. Members of various community organizations then raised $88,000 to consummate the sculpture.

A sense of civic pride, strong junior program and mix of well-run and well-maintained courses (the 18-hole Gold, 9-hole Blue and the North and South Par3s) have kept Hyland Hills Courses among the most popular on the Front Range.

Unique to the facility are the two par-3 courses. “We want to do everything we can to encourage children to play golf and adults to pick it up,” says Mastriona. At 637 yards, the nine-hole North Par 3 is designated for the more than 240 juniors in the Hyland BRONZE WINNER: Sculptor Bill Bond’s It’s Only a

Hills program, as well as other beginners and adults who want to hone their short games. Families can also take on the longer (1,060yard) South, conceived and designed by Mastriona, which features holes ranging from 65 to 204 yards, including the bosky Sherwood Forest (no.2), and the lake of Lochness that follows it.

Those who prefer to use all their clubs will naturally want to take on the tree- and water-lined Gold, which now tips out at 7100 yards.

Initially designed by Henry Hughes in 1963, it staged the first annual Colorado State Public Links Championship in 1965, and, after a 1985 redesign by Frank Hummel, hosted the 1990 United States Women’s Public Links Championship (won by Cathy Mockett).

2011 HealthONE Colorado Open champion Ben Portie cut his teeth on the Gold, where water, mature trees and small, purling greens can bedevil players more accustomed to the “prairie links” layouts a half-hour east.

The Blue presents two 550-yard par-5s and a number of reachable par-4s over 3,272 tight yards. The Blue also affords the course the potential for a 27-hole combination that can accommodate tournaments of up to 216 players.

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player’sCorner Lesson

Capture the Lag

How three distance-control drills can eliminate three-putts. By Jerry Walters

A

ll golfers have an innate desire to avoid the dreaded three-putt green. But did you know that improper distance control accounts for more three-putts than improper line? By practicing lag putting or distance control you can sharpen your skills.

Clearly, the farther from the hole your ball is, the worse your odds of holing the putt. But if your ball comes to rest two feet short, long, right or left of the hole, your chances of sinking it greatly increase. To lag your long putt to makeable range, find a reasonable line to the target, commit to the line when you approach the ball, and focus solely on the proper length. Below are a few practice-green drills to help control your distance.

1.

2.

P H O T O G R A P H S BY J E R E M Y C A N TA L A M E S S A

Prior to holing a series of threefoot putts, learn to gauge green speed by striking a couple putts from side to side on a practice green void of a target just to feel the pace for the day.

3.

Place a four-foot diameter ring around a practice hole, with the majority of the circled area behind the hole to promote getting the ball to or past the cup. Putt from varying distances, allowing yourself only two balls per “distance,� and see how many putts you can get within the two-foot area around the hole. When you get onto the course, see how many putts settle within the two-foot range.

The ladder drill is also effective at perfecting better distance control. By putting the first ball near the edge of the green and each successive putt slightly shorter, your lag putts will quickly improve. ag

Jerry Walters is a Putting and Short Game Specialist at the Trent Wearner Golf Academy located at Meridian Golf Club in Englewood. 303-645-8000; jerry@trentwearnergolf.com.

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player’sCorner Lesson

Balls To The Wall

Could throwing a Med Ball unlock the potential in your game? By Doug Wherry

A

t my golf academy, students spend as much time throwing medicine balls as they do hitting golf balls. This approach isn’t as unorthodox as it sounds—and it has recently helped produce two high school state champions and myriad golf scholarships.

Working with Canadian PGA Professional Kendal Yonomoto (author of The Athletic Fundamentals of Golf) and Denver pathologist Richard Olshock, M.D., we have refined a teaching program that combines golf technique and exercises based on seven years of medical research on the principles of athletic movement.

The research breaks down the swing into simple muscle movements. Most golfers use complex muscle movements that unnecessarily complicate their swings and timing, but my students focus on simple muscle movements that move the club in the most efficient and effective way.

Golf isn’t hard. It’s precise. We don’t need to make it complex. We promote efficiency by using a four-pound Med Ball. Our detailed, repetitive drills and exercises teach the students how to engage only the correct muscles and thus promote specific muscle and skeletal memory. The muscle memory translates directly to the motion of the golf swing, leading to effortless, smooth, repeatable swings.

This time-lapse photograph illustrates the first of eight exercises to help you move through the most powerful and balanced positions in your golf swing. “Pass the Baby” will enhance your ability to swing your arms and shift your weight in a coordinated fashion. It will show you how your lower body will move the Med Ball on an arc without manipulating the arms or hands. This will translate into keeping the golf club in front of your body or on your Midline during the golf swing. Repeat this drill until it feels natural and effortless.

1. With a person standing to your left and to your right, hold the Med Ball in front of you, with your arms relaxed, hanging vertically from your shoulder and your palms facing each other. With your hands neutral on your Midline, close to your Center of Gravity, is the strongest position to hold the Med Ball.

2. From this position, turn to pass the Med Ball to the person to your right, keeping your arms in front of your torso, your elbows pointing down, and your palms neutral on your Midline. Notice how your weight moves to your right hip and foot.

3. This is the same way you would pass a baby to someone standing to your right. For a right-handed golfer, this is similar to your backswing. This is the Pass the Baby Position in the Backswing.

4. Lower the Med Ball to your Midline and move as if you are going to pass a baby to someone standing on your left side. Notice how your Center of Gravity moves to your left hip and foot. Your arms are in front of your torso, with your elbows pointing down and your palms facing each other. This is the Pass the Baby Position in the Follow Through. ag

Doug Wherry, PGA, is the owner of Jake’s Academy, located at Lone Tree Golf Club. jakesacademy.com; 303-548-9159. To learn more about Med Ball training, visit coachkendal.com.

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P H O T O G R A P H BY T O D D L A N G L E Y

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Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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player’sCorner Head Games

Please Don’t Try So Hard

How to allow yourself to do what your body knows how to do. By Denise McGuire and Elena King We recently asked one of our students what he noticed in terms of his effort level while he was hitting balls on the range. He said, “When I am trying, I feel like I am forcing something to happen, and I end up steering the ball.”

Then he described what it was like when he didn’t force himself to make something happen: “When I am behind the ball, I do all of my thinking and visualization. During my practice swing I think about how I want to hit it. Then when I am over the ball I just look at the target, and let my body take over and do what it knows how to do.” His results are consistently better when he’s allowing himself to swing.

How to Allow • Visualize what you want to happen.

• Rehearse the shot or putt in your pre-shot routine.

• Become aware of muscle tension.

• Connect with the target.

• Know less is more in terms of effort.

• Experiment with trying vs. allowing and compare results.

• Practice this on the range in order to transfer it to the course.

• Practice more like you play—take more time in between shots.

Trying

ag

Allowing

Trying vs. Allowing Trying

“I need to hit it left.”

resulT

Snap hook

Desperation / Fear

Leave putt short

Focus on Results

Poor decisions

Allowing

resulT

Tension/Force/Effort

Chunk chip

Awareness of target

Energy to target

Ease/Rhythm

Solid contact

Trust

Be in Present

Smooth stroke

Clear intention

Figure 1

Figure 2

Dr. Denise McGuire (303-902-5008; denise@getinthezone.net) and Elena King, LPGA Director of Instruction, ExperienceGolf at CommonGround Learning Center (303-503-0330; eking@experiencegolf.biz), partner to deliver unique learning experiences to achieve optimal performance.

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P H O T O G R A P H S BY J E R E M Y C A N TA L A M E S S A

T

ed and al were playing a scramble, both looking at a wedge shot over a bunker to a short sided pin.

Ted wanted so badly to hit it up over the bunker and land it softly onto the green that during his swing he hung back and tried to help the ball up in the air. He bottomed out (figure 1) so far behind the ball that he dumped it right into the bunker. “Dang,” he thought. “I didn’t get under the ball!”

Al, however, knew that to get the ball up in the air he must not try to get under it. He knew to hit down and allow the club to elevate the ball (see figure 2). Allowing his body to rotate toward the target shifted his weight forward at impact. He then executed a beautiful high soft shot stopping right by the hole.

Golf is unique in many ways. In most any other sport, trying harder often rewards you with better outcomes or results. However, in golf, trying harder actually gets most students into more trouble.

First, we need to clarify. There is a place for trying in terms of getting better at your skill and strategy. Trying to correct your slice by taking a lesson and practicing the mechanical changes you need to make will certainly pay off. The trying to which we are referring is the trying too hard or trying to make or force something to happen over your shot.

Trying usually introduces muscle tension, increased effort and mental interference. This adds to frustration and impedes performance.

Here are some other examples of how this can show up in your golf game.

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player’sCorner MeMorabilia

Home Plates Since 1960, just about every major championship that comes to Colorado gets tagged.

By Rob Mohr

M

ajor golf championships don’t come to Colorado every year. But when they do, they give us license to celebrate. Whether created for courtesy cars or as souvenirs for event VIPs and volunteers, these limited-edition custom plates memorialize the tournament in a more durable way than any program or ticket stub can.

For this reason, golf fans and license-plate collectors covet them. And, thanks to the author’s fabulous collection, Colorado AvidGolfer gets to share them.

Twenty-two years after hosting the first U.S. Open west of the Mississippi and 19 years removed from holding the PGA Championship, Cherry hills Country Club brought “major” golf back to Colorado with the 1960 u.s. oPen. To commemorate the event, the Club contracted with the state prison system to manufacture several hundred license plates. These plates, painted red on white, used the standard Colorado 1960 embossed mountain outline base with “Golf-60” in place of the registration number, and were given to tournament volunteers, United States Golf Association members in attendance and Cherry Hills tournament committee members.

At Colorado’s next major golf tournament, the

1967 PGA ChAmPion-

shiP, Columbine Country Club followed Cherry Hills’ lead and issued commemorative license plates to the same groups of people involved in the tournament. These plates used the 1967 Colorado base with the prefix PGA followed by a number. The PGA-1 plate was given to Columbine President Everett Collier. It is not known how many plates were manufactured, or why columbine blue was not used, but plates in the high 200s are known to exist.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

In 1985, the PGA ChAmPionshiP returned to Colorado for the third time. Cherry hills hosted it and the club gave away PGA tournament plates to PGA officials, committee members and some volunteers. Less than 150 were distributed. These plates used the 1985 embossed mountain outline base with a silk screen Cherry Hills logo and 1985 PGA Championship to the left side with a three digit number embossed to the right.

Apparently a tradition had started. In 1978, Cherry hills hosted the u.s. oPen for the third time and issued commemorative license plates again. Using the 1978 base painted red on white. All plates were embossed with “US Open.” These plates were limited in distribution to USGA and tournament committee members and weren’t issued to volunteers. Cherry Hills sources speculate less than 200 plates were issued.

In 1993, Cherry hills hosted the u.s. senior oPen and again issued license plates. Sample plates using the embossed mountain outline base with Colorado and 000 embossed with a silk screened Cherry Hills logo and U.S. Senior Open located on the left were produced in red on white, However the official plates that were issued to dignitaries are grey/blue on white with three digit numbers. Why Cherry Hills went with grey/blue instead of their traditional red isn’t known. The highest known number is 196.

ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

The 1995 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor did not issue a commemorative plate, but when the event came to Cherry hills in 2005, the club did issue several hundred tournament plates featuring a very nice flat graphic with the shaded mountain background, a red sky and red line on the bottom edge with a twocolor Cherry Hills logo and 2005 u.s. Women’s oPen to the left and a number to the right. These were issued to the usual officials, committee members and a limited number of volunteers. The quantity issued isn’t known but plates that have surfaced on eBay are all numbered under 100.

P H O T O G R A P H BY M I C C L I k G A R A FA L O

the internAtionAl At CAstle Pines Golf Club, held from 1986 through 2006 in Castle Rock, issued two styles of plates. The original plate, initially issued in 1988, featured an embossed mountain outline in forest green on white. A silkscreened Castle Pines logo appears on the left with an embossed number to the right. This plate came with a temporary registration and could be mounted on an automobile for 30 days. 225 plates were issued. The second style, issued in the early 2000s, is a flat silkscreen plate with shaded mountain background, a green sky shaded lighter to darker a green band on the bottom edge with a black line and a stylized The International at the bottom. The Castle Pines logo is further left than on the 1986 issue and black numbers are nearly centered. Numbers in the low 200’s are known for the second style plate.

The 2008 u.s. senior oPen and the 2011 u.s.. Women’s oPen at the broAdmoor produced plates for the players’ courtesy vehicles. Most of those plates went with the cars as souvenirs for the vehicles’ eventual owners. The 2008 edition, provided

by U.S. Senior Open Event Director Doug Habgood, came off a Lexus RX350, ES350 or IS250 that was once driven by a professional golfer or his caddie. The 2011 edition appears here, courtesy of The Broadmoor’s Director of Golf Russ Miller, who has it hanging in his office.

editor’s note: As with the 1990 U.S. Amateur, no plates memorialized last month’s edition of the event at Cherry Hills. Will Colorado Golf Club have license to rekindle the tradition when it hosts next August’s Solheim Cup? ag

Rob Mohr is the author of Golf In Denver (Arcadia Press) and a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (alpca.org).

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BOULDER FLAGSHIP: Flagstaff House.

Well Worth the Splurge When a special occasion calls for elegant ambience and exquisite cuisine, these five restaurants afford can’t-miss perfection. By Lori Midson Flagstaff House

A dinner for a duo at the Flagstaff House, a Boulder stalwart that still believes in pristine, pampered service, is roughly the price of a weekend rendezvous—the bill is rarely less than $200, without wine— so it’s imperative that the food is just as mind-blowing. And thanks to executive chef/owner Mark Monette, whose American menu continues to impress, it is. And for both locals and tourists alike, its show-stopping location on Flagstaff Mountain overlooking the twinkling lights of Boulder, makes for an indulgent celebration that doesn’t disappoint. 1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, 303-442-4640; flagstaffhouse.com

Restaurant Kevin Taylor

A recent remodel of Restaurant Kevin Taylor, the flagship restau-

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rant from the chef of the same name, has lightened and brightened up the two-tiered space located in the swanky Hotel Teatro. But despite the appearance of more casual aesthetics, Taylor’s menu, overseen by executive chef Austin Cueto, is still a transcendent—and high-rolling—culinary odyssey with obligatory doting by the staff.

Cueto’s tasting menu, however, which changes with the seasons, is a relative bargain, priced at $60 per person for six courses, although wine will cost you an extra $50 each. Luxury, of course, isn’t cheap.

1106 14th Street, 303Restaurant Kevin Taylor 820-2600; ktrg.net Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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TRULY FRIULI: Frasca Food & Wine

Frasca Food & Wine

Co-owner and sommelier Bobby Stuckey and exec chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson may not have bedecked their Friulian restaurant in Boulder with marble and gold, but Frasca is nonetheless one of the state’s most lavish restaurants, thanks to its faultless cuisine, unimpeachable wine list and beyond impeccable service. The enduring four-star restaurant, which has received accolades from here, there and everywhere, carries a stiff $75 prix-fixe price tag, making it especially suitable for special nights out on the town, or big-deal business propositions.

If you want to keep your wallet from running on empty, go on a Monday night, when the four-course tasting menu is a less breathtaking $50. 1738 Pearl Street, Boulder, 303-442-6966; frascafoodandwine.com

Everything about this opulent restaurant in the dignified Brown Palace Hotel is moneyed—from the stately red leather booths to the tuxedoed waitstaff to the behemoth wine syllabus that’s thicker than a six-pack of Snickers bars. Lined with dark woods, fresh flowers, sparkling glassware (that, God forbid you break), heavy silver cutlery and tables overlaid with starched white tablecloths, it feels as posh as its name, and the food— classy, striking and elegant—is exactly what you’d expect from a restaurant that’s one of the prized grand dames of Denver dining. You’ll pay a bundle for the nostalgia, but living history comes at a price. 321 17th Street, 303-297-3111; CHEF KING: Palace Arms’ Thanawat Bates brownpalace.com

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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Beatrice & Woodsley

This fantastical thicket of tree stumps, tree bark and tree trunks illuminated by dim, romantic lighting from flickering lanterns suspended from the arched wooden ceilings and canoodling booths constructed from logs, is reminiscent of a gorgeous getaway mountain cabin. Romantic? Check. Plushy?

Double check. Lavish? Absolutely. But there’s also enough rusticity to make you feel warm and welcomed. The food is as seductive as the décor, courtesy of chef Pete List, whose whimsical menu is a sojourn through amplified comfort food: crawfish beignets, beef stroganoff, Cornish hen and suckling pig. But the real showstopper is the chicken-fried duck burger mounted on corn bread. Portions are a bit on the precious side, and the board leans toward small plates, which can turn the bill into a car payment, but there’s nowhere else in the city that flaunts this kind of sumptuous scenery. 38 South Broadway, 303-777-3505; beatriceandwoodsley.com ag

Dining Editor Lori Midson is also Westword’s Café Society writer.

Follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@lorimidson1).

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Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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sideBets nice drives

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

Chariots of Desire

Plush, powerful, and priced accordingly, these five beauties up the ante on luxury.

By Isaac Bouchard

2013 Bentley Continental GT

W ........................

hat is it aBout piloting a vehicle that costs more than the per capita Gross National Income of most nations? The cosseting ride? The mechanical precision? The admiring looks? No matter. The experience can be as rich as the sticker warrants.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Price as tested: $231,000

The Bentley Continental literally created a whole new niche when it went on sale almost a decade ago. While the GT version—the car’s first major overhaul—can’t match that kind of impact, it builds on its predecessor’s strengths, meaning it is simply one of the finest

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

cars you can buy. At first glance the GT’s exterior doesn’t appear to have changed much; then you notice the more prominent grill and the Gatling gun-inspired lights, and that the flanks and muscular shoulders are a bit more chiseled. Inside, it’s the same: there wasn’t much wrong with the acres of carefully selected hide, book-matched polished timber and gorgeous milled detailing. Yet the new Conti’s higher quality switches, better infotainment and navigation interface distance it from the VW Group products with which it shares its bones. One common part no one will have issue with is the terrific new 4-liter, 500hp engine, ostensibly here to add a greener edge to the lineup, with a 24mpg highway rating. But it also does wonders for the feel of this Bentley; lightening the weight over its nose gives it more alacrity on turns and a nimbleness that belies its mass. The twin turbo W10 counters with an effortless surge of locomotive-like

ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

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Call for a Confidential Consultation | 303.309.4035 | www.kelleher-international.com Denver | Beverly Hills | San Fransisco | Las Vegas | La Jolla | Scottsdale | Seattle | New York | Chicago Dallas

| Houston | Boston | Atlanta | Washington DC |

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

West Palm Beach | Stockholm | London Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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sideBets

2013 Mercedes SL550

2013 Ferrari FF

torque and a unique soundtrack. Both are slightly smoother, more refined (if that’s possible) versions of their illustrious forebear.

Whether in convertible or hardtop coupe form, this all-wheel drive English express continues to define class.

................

2013 Ferrari FF

The world was shocked when Ferrari unveiled this brutish looking, four-passenger “shooting brake.” Its wagon-like form wasn’t the only thing radical, though. The FF is also the first all-wheel drive car from Maranello, with a unique system that preserves the feel of a classic GT yet gives this 651 horsepower monster the ability to be used year-round; bespoke snow tires are an option for those who want to one-up everyone at the nearest ski chalet. From behind the wheel you first marvel at how easy and soothing the FF is to drive; a smooth ride, perfectly slurred automatic gear changes from the 7-speed twinclutch gearbox, a muted whir from the 6.3-liter engine. Four fit quite comfortably, the interior is beautifully styled and finished, and there is more room in the back than the Porsche Panamera when the seats are up. The only obvious annoyance is a Chrysler-based nav system.

But what you want to really know is how it feels under the whip. Toggle the F1-inspired manettino switch to one of the sportier settings, pull back the big downshift paddle and prepare to be teleported through 60mph in three and a half seconds, accompanied by a stunningly bellicose roar from that glorious engine. Turn-in is scalpel sharp, body control first rate, the brakes fantastic. It’s a true Ferrari

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

................

2013 Jaguar XJ Supercharged Price as tested: $94,175

Jaguar has always made some of the best grand touring cars. But what moves the game on with the latest XJ is the way it moves. The 470-horsepower supercharged version rockets to 60 in just over four seconds—and there’s a 510hp model for those who just can’t get enough. And this very long, very large se-

2013 Jaguar XJ Supercharged

dan handles like something half its size and weight (no surprise, given its all-aluminum structure), with impeccable control, terrific steering, and a neutral-to-loose cornering balance that makes for one playful cat. Basically, the XJ S/C feels like it can annihilate everything up to a new BMW M5 on a backroad, yet it wafts with consummate ease, boasting a ride that makes rivals feel flat-footed. Inside, as out, it is contemporary and elegant, with a

cockpit second only to the Bentley’s in drama (at half the price) and a front fascia that makes other luxury cars look banal. Its only demerit is a touch-screen based infotainment system that is slow and needs too much driver attention. All-wheel drive, currently unavailable, will arrive this winter, making the XJ the English company’s first truly four-season Colorado car.

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2013 Mercedes SL550 Price as tested: $119,945

One of the most lasting essentials of the luxury lifestyle, the Mercedes SL convertible, has just gone through a complete redesign. Now fashioned of aluminum, this 6th-gen version is more than 250 pounds lighter, more efficient and yet more powerful, thanks to the adoption of twin turbos across the lineup. While the SL550’s new look has drawn its share of criticism, inside there’s nothing contentious; sybaritic seats pimp and prod, cosseting its lucky occupants with various heating, cooling and massage functions. A powered wind deflector keeps carefully coiffed manes immaculate, and the optional “Magic Sky Control” uses electrochromatic tech to instantly lighten or darken a glass panel built into the folding hardtop. This newest Mercedes really hews to the concept of a luxury cruiser, being less sporty in steering feel and handling than its predecessor; unfortunately the ride quality doesn’t benefit from this change in emphasis. It is frequently choppy and doesn’t deal with rough roads well. Redemption arrives in the form of ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H S C O U RT E S T Y O F F E R R A R I , JAG UA R , M E RC E D E S B E N Z A N D P O R S C H E

Price as tested: $370,425

at heart, whatever newfound surface civility might clothe the beast within. While the FF is a bit too big to be a true sports car, it makes for a uniquely fabulous four-season GT.

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Lawn of the Dead?

How to resurrect your yard after a scorching summer.

By Rusty Oetker of Soil Horizons, Inc.

R

emember that 80s song, “Cruel Summer”? It could have been written about this year! With all the extreme heat with limited moisture, how’s your lawn holding up? What can you do to enhance its health going into the winter?

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

Probably the first thing to consider this fall is lawn aeration. September and October are excellent times of the year to aerate. Aeration is like a breath of fresh air. It reduces soil compaction, improves water infiltration, stimulates the soil’s microbial population and increases soil oxygen levels by evenly distributing the air-filled and capillary (water) pore spaces in clay soil.

516lb-ft of turbocharged torque (125 more than last year) that comes in early with a throaty roar, and makes this most benign of SLs faster in the real world than any of the hotrod AMG models of yore.

If you lost turf this summer, overseed after you aerate. Choose a seed with a high percentage of Kentucky Bluegrass, and seed at a rate of 1- 2 pounds for every 1,000 square feet of seed. Be sure to keep the seed wet after seeding.

It will take approximately 10 to 14 days to germinate.

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

As far as fertilizers go, apply a slow-release fertilizer in September at 1 lb N/1,000 square feet. Sources include ureaform, sulfur coated urea, milorganite (natural organic), IBDU and methylene urea. To determine the amount you need, divide 1 by the first number in decimal form (% nitrogen) on the fertilizer bag. Multiply that by the square footage of your lawn and then divide by 1000. This will provide the total number of pounds you need to apply.

Slow-release nitrogens will cost more, but are safe to use when properly applied and will provide extended feeding. This will provide plenty of time for the nitrogen to be taken up in the plant without any excessive growth.

Quick-release nitrogen sources like ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) and urea (46-0-0) have a higher potential for burning when misapplied and don’t last as long.

For more information, visit rmgcsa.org.

................

Price as tested: $135,060

The malleability of the Porsche brand seems to know no limits, based on the massive success of the four-door Panamera.

Despite polarizing looks, it has found favor around the world with both loyalists and those new to the company. No wonder, for it is an excellent vehicle—docile and pleasing in daily use, practical with its four comfy chairs and hatchback, and rip-snortin’ fun when conditions permit. The GTS is the eighth version of the PanAm thus far, and quite possibly, the best. Combining all-wheel drive, a richer, more glorious sounding 430hp version of the standard V8, and a more aggressive chassis set up, it is the wickedest non-turbo you can get in the lineup, and its purity and more real-world deployable performance (the turbo is almost too fast to be fun) make for a compelling package. The 7-speed twin-clutch is as adroit as the Ferrari’s at both slipping unnoticed through the gears, yet it is racecar rapid when you switch to its sportiest mode, which is unique to the GTS. Likewise the chassis, which combines a surprisingly pliant ride with incredible canyon-carving abilities, a more lenient stability control program, and the turbo big brother’s larger brakes. ag

Read more of Isaac Bouchard’s automotive writing at nicedrivz.com and become a follower of CAG on Facebook and Twitter.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

2 012

Travelguide Special Advertising Section

MESQUITEFLAVORED An endless feast GOLFof courses Places to Stay and play in

Scottsdale • Tucson • NEVADA • UTAH

PHOEN IX SCOTTSDALE WHERE TO STAY

ZONA RESORT SUITES SCOTTSDALE 7677 E Princess Blvd, Scottsdale zonascottsdale.com 888-222-1059 TALKING STICK RESORT 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale talkingstickresort.com 866-980-8159 THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH 10600 East Crescent Moon Dr., Scottsdale fourseasons.com/scottsdale

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

480-515-5700

T

he Phoenix/Scottsdale nexus abounds in lodging options.

One of the foremost bundlers of golf deals in Scottsdale is Zona Resort Suites, with packages comprising TPC of Scottsdale, Grayhawk, Superstition Mountain, Wildfire and 40 other area courses. Zona’s fully equipped one- to four-bedroom suites accommodate golfers, business travelers, long-term guests, and families in plush comfort, with easy access to Kierland Commons and other attractions.

Set high in the Sonoran Desert, The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North radiates relaxation with 200 cozy casitas, three superb and distinctive restaurants, and head-to-toe pampering–including treatments at its rejuvenating spa. Secluded in the scenic foothills of Pinnacle Peak, the resort sits equidistant from Cave Creek, Carefree and downtown Scottsdale.

Another resort with access to 36 holes, Talking Stick Resort sits within walking distance of the Rockies’ Spring Training home, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. This 497-room, 15-story hotel and casino boasts a 240,000-square-foot gaming area, four topnotch restaurants; a huge open-air spa; and an art center showcasing the Pima-Maricopa tribe that owns the property.

Golf isn’t the attraction at Royal Palms Resort & Spa. But that hardly matters. With an enchanting atmosphere that suggests a lavish Mediterranean villa, this historic resort is the ideal setting for anyone seeking tranquility or romance. Lush landscaping and elegant art objects surround you as you luxuriate in one of the resort’s 119 casitas, guestrooms and villas. Pamper yourself at the Alvadora Spa and indulge in the highly rated T.Cooks restaurant.

AAA Five-Diamond magnificence awaits at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort Hotel, the breathtaking Spanish Colonial desert palace that caters to families, couples and golf groups with its luxe pool, raft of activities, four award-winning

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

RADISSON FORT MCDOWELL 10438 North Fort McDowell Rd, Fountain Hills radisson.com 480-789-5300 Four Seasons Resort

restaurants, the renowned Willow Stream Spa, two 18-hole golf courses—one of which, the TPC Scottsdale, is home to the PGA Tour’s annual Waste Management Phoenix Open—and plush rooms.

Tucked away on the pristine Sonoran Desert lands of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort in Fountain Hills features 246 rooms and suites tastefully appointed in Native American décor.

Its proximity to Fort McDowell Casino and a number of top-flight golf courses, including We-Ko-Pa and the freshly renovated McDowell Mountain Golf Club (formerly Sanctuary Golf Course), complete the package.

Set on 27 acres highlighted by flowering cactus and framed against the majestic McDowell Mountains, the 493-room Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch lies minutes from a host of activities, including a 2.5-acre waterpark, indulgent spa and 27 holes of golf.

ROYAL PALMS RESORT & SPA 5200 East Camelback Road, Phoenix royalpalmshotel.com; 602-840-3610 FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS RESORT HOTEL 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale fairmont.com/scottsdale; 480-585-4848 HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT & SPA AT GAINEY RANCH 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale scottsdale.hyatt.com; 480-444-1234

Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com for special offers.

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SunRidge Canyon

living and Dining area

Full Kitchen

One of Four Sparkling Pools

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ScOTTSDALE GOLf PAckAGES Call:

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Zona Hotel’s Golf Package Specialists Provide:

• PREfERRED RATES, PREfERRED TEE TIMES • PRIME NORTH ScOTTSDALE LOcATION • VERSATILE SuITES wITH 1 TO 4 BEDROOMS, EAcH BEDROOM wITH ITS OwN PRIVATE BATH Proud Member of the Ascend Hotel Collection Certain terms and conditions apply. © 2012 Zona Hotel & Suites Scottsdale

GRaZe Patio

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Double Queen bedrooms

Zona’s entrance

Fall 2 0 1 2 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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PHOEN IX SCOTTSDALE WHERE TO PLAY

G

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EAGLE MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB 14915 East Eagle Mountain Parkway, Fountain Hills eaglemtn.com; 480-816-1234 MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB 10690 E. Sheena Drive, Scottsdale mcdowellgc.com; 480-502-8200

Eagle Mountain Golf Club

olf ’s popularity in Arizona annually manifests itself at the PGA Tour’s best-attended tournament, February’s Waste Management (formerly FBR) Phoenix Open. Played Feb 1-5 at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, the event is known as the “Greatest Show on Grass.” Unlike many Tour venues, the TPC allows public play on both its Stadium and the recently renovated Champions Course.

Twenty minutes north of the TPC, Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses, both affiliated with—but not exclusive to guests of— the nearby Four Seasons Scottsdale. The 7,025yard Pinnacle now rivals the more celebrated Monument.

Another 36-hole property affiliated with a resort is Talking Stick Golf Club. Created by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the facility is affiliated with Talking Stick Resort. Set in the heart of Scottsdale, the North and South Courses at Talking Stick offer distinct golf experiences: the North, an ingeniously bunkered, links; the South’s tree-lined fairways suggest a more traditional, parkland style.

A group of equally strong courses cluster northeast of Scottsdale at The Verdes, a three-community development nestled against the McDowell Mountains where tee times are seldom a problem. Rio Verde Golf Club’s two Tom Lehman designs—Quail Run and White Wing—thread around lakes and trees. Tonto Verde Golf Club’s Gary Panks-designed Ranch and the Panks-David Graham Peaks collaboration—present a dynamic desert duo. A fifth course, Ken Kavanaugh’s Vista Verde pays homage to Pinehurst No. 2.

In Mesa, just southeast of Scottsdale, lies Longbow Golf Club, a 7,003-yard Ken Kavanaugh design that winds across the rolling desert terrain without a home or road in sight. Golfweek recog-

ASU KARSTEN GOLF COURSE 1125 East Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe asukarsten.com; 480-921-8070

nizes it as one of the Top 100 Resort Courses in the Country and one of the top 20 in Arizona.

Twelve minutes west from Longbow, in neighboring Tempe, is ASU Karsten Golf Course.

The Pete Dye layout opened in 1989 and has bedeviled players—including ASU alum Phil Mickelson—ever since. Tests come throughout, leading to the daunting 248-yard par-three 16th and one of the toughest finishing holes in Arizona.

The 19-year-old Gary Panks/David Graham Raven Golf Club-Phoenix underwent ownership, name and design changes last year. The 7,058-yard course, known for its multitiered greens and the pine-lined fairways, has rejoined the area’s elite ranks.

Located northeast of Scottsdale in the rugged McDowell Mountains of Fountain Hills, Eagle Mountain Golf Club is a saguaro-studded 6,800-yard Scott Miller design that dramatically wends through shaded box canyons and around majestic mountain peaks unique to this scenic corner of the Sonoran desert.

Closer to Phoenix,, the 36-hole Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, offers one of the most diverse golf experiences in the area: The 7,015-yard Arthur Hills-designed Palms Course and the par62 Lakes Course designed by Hale Irwin.

Its mystical red rocks might be 100 miles north, but you might find yourself mysteriously drawn into the vortex of Sedona Golf Resort. Architect Gary Panks wrapped 6,646 yards of golf challenge around Sedona’s iconic crimson cliffs.

Last October McDowell Mountain Golf Club opened on the site of the former Sanctuary Golf Club on the southwestern edge of the McDowell Mountain community. Owners Phil Mickelson and his agent, Steve Loy, believe that what once was considered the “hidden gem” of Scottsdale golf now outshines the other jewels in the area.

PALM VALLEY GOLF CLUB 2211 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear palmvalleygolf.com; 623-935-2500 RAVEN GOLF CLUB 3636 E. Baseline Rd, Phoenix theravensouthmountain.com; 602-243-3635 RIO VERDE GOLF CLUB 18731 East Four Peaks Blvd, Rio Verde rioverdecc.com; 480-471-7010

SEDONA GOLF RESORT 35 Ridge Trail Dr. Sedona sedonagolfresort.com; 877-733-6630 TALKING STICK 9998 East Indian Bend, Scottsdale talkingstickgolfclub.com; 480-860-2221 TROON NORTH 10320 E Dynamite Blvd, Scottsdale troonnorthgolf.com; 480-585-5300 TONTO VERDE 18401 El Circulo Drive, Rio Verde tontoverde.org; 480-471-2710 TPC SCOTTSDALE 17020 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale; tpc.com/tpc-scottsdale 480-585-4334 VISTA VERDE GOLF CLUB 17405 E. Desert Vista Trail, Rio Verde vistaverdegolf.com 480-471-3232

Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com for special offers.

www.coloradoav idgolf e r.c o m/t r ave l

RULE #9

BRANDEL’S FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS RULES FOR DRIVE...TWICE SCOTTSDALE Hanging with your pals in Scottsdale is always a great time. And, it's even when you can take a little cash off them. That's why there are no GOLF better mulligans in my group. You hit it sideways — you own that one, cowboy.

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

iLoveScottsdaleGolf.com

— Brandel Chamblee, Golf Channel analyst and part-time rules official ww w. c o l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c om/ travel

Fall 2 0 1 2 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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TUCSON

WHERE TO STAY

The Westin La Paloma

A

90-minute drive from Phoenix down I-10 puts you in the “Old Pueblo,” as Tucson is known. A romantic Southwestern destination that reflects the influences of many cutures, the city and its resorts combine the architecture of the past with the conveniences and comforts of the present.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain on 850 acres northwest of the city in Marana. Featuring 209 deluxe guest rooms and 44 individual and casita suites, the richly appointed resort boasts a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course that hosts the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, world-class dining at CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar, Hohokam-inspired healing spa treatments, hiking through the Tortolita foothills and Wild Burro canyon and every other indulgence associated with this legendary brand.

Legends are also associated with Tubac Golf Resort & Spa Built in 1959 by a group that included Bing Crosby, the impeccably crafted 98-room resort sits an hour south of Tucson and radiates luxury, intimacy and history with its red-tile roofs, woodbeamed ceilings, brick archways and beehive fireplaces. Fine dining, swimming, spa services and 27 holes of golf are steps from any room. If the bar looks familiar, it’s because Kevin Costner hit a shot (and a pelican) from it in Tin Cup. For 30 years, PGA Tour pros hit plenty of birdies on one of the two courses (the Catalina) at the Omni Tucson National Resort in the picturesque foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains. The 650-acre property combines the intimate

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

atmosphere of a boutique hotel with the amenities of a world-class resort: outdoor dining terraces, deluxe spa, 4,500-square-foot fitness center, tennis courts, infinity-edge pool and outdoor gardens. Its 128 oversized guest rooms include rustic haciendas.

Less than 10 miles east of the Omni, the luxurious Westin La Paloma spoils guests with five spectacular pools, 27 holes of Jack Nicklaus-designed golf; 10 championship tennis courts (including four clay ones); seven distinct dining experiences (including the celebrated AZUL and Janos); a Red Door Spa with 18 private treatment rooms and two outdoor spaces; 487 plush rooms with Heavenly beds and baths. The landscaping and décor are as magnificent as the surrounding views of the Catalina Mountains.

The canyon views and glowing sunsets are also pretty spectacular through the 30-foot windows at the Cascade Lounge at the 398-room Loews Ventana Canyon. Located in the Catalina Mountain foothills on 100 acres of ancient Sonoran desert, the resort sits just one mile from the Sabino Canyon Recreational Facility and features a well-marked paved nature trail with butterfly garden and 80-foot waterfall. The sprawling Lakeside Spa, tennis courts, swimming pools and access to two semi-private golf courses keep guests invigorated, as do the agave margaritas at the Flying V Bar & Grill, the superb Southwestern eatery (tableside guacamole, lobster tacos) and tequila bar (70 varieties) that takes the name of the fabled celebrity ranch retreat on which the hotel now sits.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN 15000 North Secret Springs Drive, Marana ritzcarlton.com/DoveMountain; 520-572-3000

TUBAC GOLF RESORT & SPA 1 Ave de Otero Road, Tubac tubacgolfresort.com; 520-398-2211

LOEWS VENTANA CANYON 7000 North Resort Dr., Tucson loewshotels.com/ventanacanyon; 800-234-5117

OMNI TUCSON NATIONAL RESORT 2727 West Club Drive Tucson omnihotels.com; 520-297-2271

WESTIN LA PALOMA 3800 East Sunrise Dr, Tucson westinlapalomaresort.com; 520-742-6000

Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com for special offers.

www.coloradoav idgolf e r.c o m/t r ave l

Matt Kuchar, GREY GOOSE® Golf Pro

CELEBRATE YOUR DRIVE Toast to the precision of each flawless swing, the perfection of every impeccable shot, and the passion that’s inspired when you step on the course. Raise your glass to the world’s greatest game. ®

Thursdays and Fridays on Golf Channel

SIP RESPONSIBLY.

www.greygoose.com | facebook.com/greygoose ©2012 GREY GOOSE, THE GREY GOOSE BOTTLE DESIGNS AND THE GEESE DEVICES ARE TRADEMARKS AND/OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. IMPORTED BY GREY GOOSE IMPORTING COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL. VODKA 40% ALC. BY VOL.—DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. ALL OTHER MARKS ARE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

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Fall 2 0 1 2 |Colorado AvidGolfer

49

TUCSON

WHERE TO PLAY

Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

F

or the fifth consecutive February, the top 64 players in the world will compete in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship at The RitzCarlton Dove Mountain, located 28 miles northwest of Tucson in Marana. Guests of the hotel can enjoy making the same shots that test the ability, imagination and nerves of the world’s best pros. Each of the three nines on this Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course dramatically blends with its natural surroundings. The appropriately named Saguaro and Tortolita nines combine for 7,849 yards of picturesque and challenging golf. A third nine, the Wild Burro, is not part of the tournament, although Nicklaus has called the 3,897-yard romp his favorite of the three nines.

For the three decades before the WGC event started, the Omni Tucson National hosted the Chrysler Classic of Tucson on its Robert Van Hagge/Bruce Devlin-designed Catalina Course.

It had one of the PGA Tour’s hardest finishing holes—a blind par-four with water on both sides of the fairway. The event’s gone, but the 7,262-yard parkland challenge remains, as does the Omni’s Sonoran Course, a 6,552-yard Tom Lehman desert layout that opened in 2005.

Another 36 holes, designed by Tom Fazio, spread across the canyons of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the semi-private Ventana Canyon

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Golf & Racquet Club. Members and guests alternatate play at the 6,902-yard Mountain Course, where the 107-yard third plays across a plunging ravine to a granite-encased green; and the 6,819-yard Canyon Course, which winds through Esperero Canyon and finishes with a par5 showcasing a partial island green and a steep, cascading waterfall.

Open only to members and guests of the Westin La Paloma, the impeccably conditioned Westin La Paloma Country Club boasts three inspired Jack Nicklaus-designed nines—Canyon, Hill and Ridge—that climb and wind through the flowering native vegetation and rugged landscape of the Santa Catalina foothills. Among the highlights: the 198-yard par-3 fourth on the Ridge nine, which requires a canyon carry to a multitiered green with no bail out.

Another 27 holes of tree- and water-lined golf await an hour south of Tucson at the historic Tubac Golf Resort, where Bing Crosby was an original investor and Tin Cup was shot. Robert “Red” Lawrence designed the original 18 in 1959; Ken Kavanaugh added nine more in 2006. Each nine— Anza, Rancho and Otero—boasts memorable holes, including island greens. In addition to the “Tin Cup” holes, the Rancho nine has the “Tubac Triangle”—Nos. 6, 7 and 8—which culminates in Train Wreck, an aptly named 651-yard par-five.

RITZ-CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana: ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain 520-572-3000

OMNI TUCSON NATIONAL 2727 West Club Dr, Tucson tucsonnational.com; 520-297-2271

VENTANA CANYON GOLF & RACQUET CLUB 6200 North Clubhouse Lane Tucson ventanacanyonclub.com; 800-828-5701

WESTIN LA PALOMA GOLF COURSE 3800 East Sunrise Dr, Tucson westinlapalomaresort.com/golf; 520-742-6000

TUBAC GOLF RESORT 1 Ave de Otero Road, Tubac tubacgolfresort.com; 520-398-2211

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NEVADA / UTAH

WHERE TO STAY

CasaBlanca Resort

Y

ou might think all Nevada and

Utah have in common is a border.

And if you weren’t a golfer, you’d be correct.

Nevada has the high-roller bling of Las Vegas and the border-town energy of Mesquite and Primm; Utah has the preternatural landscape in and around St. George and the wholesome charms of Thanksgiving Point. And, come winter, both destinations reach the ideal temperature for a golf vacation.

Arriving in Vegas puts you in the middle of an adult amusement park, with an infinite collection of restaurants, entertainment and gaming. Tee times tend to be predictably expensive, especially on “highconcept” courses, but there are great plays in town at Angel Park, Badlands and in suburban Henderson at The Legacy.

From Vegas, a half-hour drive towards California puts you at Primm Valley’s two highly decorated Tom Fazio courses, while a 75-minute drive towards Utah lands you at Mesquite, which is Nevada’s unofficial golf capital, with seven incredible courses within its borders, and plentiful and affordable lodging options, all of which can be accessed via golfmesquitenevada.com, as sure a bet as there can be on this side of the Nevada border.

Across the border, there’s no gaming, but plenty of game when it comes to golf. St. George is the hub. No fewer than a dozen courses thread through the vermillion sandstone in and around this gateway to Zion and Bryce National Parks to form the Red Rock Golf Trail.

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As far as lodging in Mesquire goes, the Eureka Casino Resort features all the trappings of a classic Nevada resort—spa, pool, tennis and more than 1,100 slots and table games. Eureka is also the home to Gregory’s steakhouse, one of the foremost restaurants in town.

The 500-room CasaBlanca Resort is noticeable from just about anywhere in Mesquite. Set against a scenic mountain background, the colossus treats guests to Vegas-class gambling, fullservice spa treatments, swimming and golf at CasaBlanca Golf Club and Palms Golf Club.

Perched on the western cliffs overlooking Mesquite and just minutes from Falcon Ridge Golf Club, Falcon Ridge Hotel presents the area’s best non-casino option. Guests retire to well-appointed rooms and suites and enjoy access to fitness, pool and complimentary full hot breakfast and a swimming pool.

After days of rolling putts and nights of rolling dice, try rolling a bowling ball down the lanes at Virgin River Hotel and Casino. In addition to 700 guest rooms, Virgin River has 24 lanes, an inexpensive buffet and a casino featuring table games, more than 750 slots, Bingo, Keno and a Sports Book.

Gambling’s out in Utah, so the The Inn at Entrada bets the house on luxurious accommodations—and wins. Set against striking crimson cliffs, the lodge offers a range of suites and casitas decked out in a contemporary Southwest motif, full-service spa and access to the area’s best golf courses. Best of all, it’s just minutes from Zion National Park and other superb outdoor activities.

EuREka CasIno REsoRT 275 Mesa Blvd., Mesquite, Nev. eurekamesquite.com 800-346-4611

CasaBlanCa REsoRT 950 West Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite casablancaresort.com 877-GETAWAY

FalCon RIdgE HoTEl 1030 W. Pioneer Blvd.

Mesquite falconridgehotel.com 702-346-2200

VIRgIn RIVER HoTEl & CasIno 100 N. Pioneer Blvd.

Mesquite virginriver.com 877-GETAWAY

THE Inn aT EnTRada 2588 West Sinagua Trail St. George, Utah innatentrada.com 435-634-7100

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NEVADA / UTAH

WHERE TO PLAY

GOLf MeSquiTe NeVADA golfmesquitenevada.com; 866-720-7111 Tee times at Canyons at Oasis Golf Club Conestoga Golf Club Coral Canyon Golf Club Falcon Ridge Golf Course Palmer at Oasis Golf Club Sand Hollow Golf Course

Angel Park

W

hen it comes to golf, lodging and activities, Mesquite enjoys an embarrassment of riches that can overwhelm even the most avid player. With inside access to all the courses, hotels and things to do, Golf Mesquite Nevada serves as a one-stop shop for expert vacation planning and assistance.

The service doesn’t make arrangements in Las Vegas, but three of the better area courses—Angel Park, Badlands and Legacy—give golfers a delightful alternative to the area’s big-ticket, high concept courses.

Located just minutes off The Strip, and offering stunning views of Red Rock Canyon and Las Vegas Valley, Angel Park Golf Club offers the Palm and Mountain Courses, both designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, as well as the lighted Cloud Nine short course, and the world’s original natural grass putting course.

Less than a mile west, in Summerlin, sprawl the devilshly demanding Outlaw, Desperado and Diablo nines of Badlands Golf Club, a ruggedly handsome Johnny Miller-Chi Chi Rodriguez collaboration that traverses arroyos, canyons and natural washes.

Twenty minutes southeast in Henderson, The Legacy Golf Club enjoys Golf Digest recognition as one of the “Top 10 Courses You Can Play” in Nevada. The Arthur Hills creation stretches to 7,233 yards and features split fairways, undulating greens and one of the most recognizable holes in Las Vegas—the par-three tenth with four tee boxes in the shape of playing card suits.

If a quick trip to Primm Valley Golf Club isn’t in

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the cards, fold. In the middle of the Mojave Desert sit Primm Valley’s Tom Fazio-designed Lakes and Desert courses. With water everywhere, the 6,945-yard Lakes evokes an almost tropical feeling while being player friendly. In contrast, the 7,131-yard Desert demands more of the player—narrower fairways, larger hazards and waste areas—and suggests the surroundings with its palm and mesquite trees, colorful cacti and desert wildflowers.

Before leaving Las Vegas, tee it up on at least 19 of Silverstone Golf Club’s 28 holes. Located just minutes from the Strip, this Bob Cupp design features an additional hole—“The Decider”—conveniently located near the clubhouse to help settle bets. The Mountain nine’s 654-yard third, the longest hole in Nevada, doglegs around a lake to a near-peninsula green.

Comprising 10 stellar golf courses within a 30-minute radius, the Red Rock Golf Trail is a complimentary service provided by the St. George and Zion National Park Tourism Office. In addition to Coral Canyon and Sky Mountain, the service connects you to such fine courses as Sunbrook, Sand Hollow and Valderra Golf at The Ledges.

A prime and stunning example of why many consider southern Utah “Color Country,” the 7,029-yard Keith Foster designed Coral Canyon Golf Course blends seamlessly into pastel reds and oranges of the surrounding rock formations, its fairways and sightlines echoing the shapes of the land.

A similar description fits Sky Mountain Golf Course in Hurricane. Surrounded by Zion National Park and the Pine Valley Mountain range, Jeff Hardin’s 6,383-yard layout inhabits one of the most picturesque

ANGeL PARk GOLf CLuB 100 South Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas; angelpark.com 888-4GOLFLV The LeGACy GOLf CLuB 130 Par Excellence Drive Henderson; thelegacygc.com 888-4GOLFLV

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BADLANDS GOLf CLuB 9119 Alta Drive, Las Vegas badlandsgc.com 702-363-0754

SiLVeRSTONe GOLf CLuB 8600 Cupp Drive, Las Vegas silverstonegolfclub.com 702-562-3770

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RED ROCk GOLF TRAiL redrockgolftrail.com 888-345-5551 Entrada

CORAL CANyON GOLF COuRSE 1925 N. Canyon Greens Drive, Washington coralcanyongolf.com 435-688-1700

Sky MOuNTAiN GOLF COuRSE 1030 North 2600 West, Hurricane; skymountaingolf.com 435-635-7888

ENTRADA AT SNOW CANyON COuNTRy CLuB 2537 West Entrada Trail, St. George; golfentrada.com 435-986-2207

THE RANCHES GOLF CLuB 4128 Clubhouse Lane Eagle Mountain theranchesgolfclub.com 801-789-8100 THANkSGiviNG POiNT GOLF CLuB 3300 W Clubhouse Dr., Lehi; thanksgivingpoint.com 801-768-7401

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and beautiful locations in the world.

Ranked as the top year-round golf course in Utah

by Golf Digest, Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club is a Johnny Miller Signature Design that courses through 7,085 yards of ancient black lava flows and meandering streams. The private club only allows outside play from guests of The Inn at Entrada.

With so much golf in balmy St. George, why tempt the weather and drive a few hours north to get in another round? Two reasons: The Ranches Golf Club and Thanksgiving Point Golf Club.

Architect Ron Garl carved The Ranches from 220 arces of native prairie in Eagle Mountain, an hour southwest of Salt Lake City. Featuring a Western theme, the 7,050-yard offers views in every direction: Lake Mountain to the south, the Wasatch Front to the east, Oquirrh Mountains to the west and Utah Lake to the south.

Thanksgiving Point’s claims to fame aren’t its views but its length (7,714 yards—the most in Utah) and its ranking by Golf Digest as the best public course in the state. One of fifteen “hidden gems” in the country according to Links, this Johnny Miller Signature golf club cradles spectacular gardens and creatively uses the natural mountain desert landscape. Another reason to go: During the winter, the course bases its green fee on the previous day’s low temperature, plus tax. Nine holes cost half the temperature, plus tax.

The appeal of Mesquite lies mainly in its reasonably priced and supremely challenging golf courses and unpretentious gaming resorts. But there’s more.

From October 25 to November 3, big hitters like Jason Zuback and Jamie Sadlowski, as well as Colorado Super Seniors Mike Gorton and Rick Barry, will compete at Mesquite Regional Park in the annual

ww w. c o l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c om/ travel

Coral Canyon

Re/Max World Long Drive Championship.

The state-of-the art trap, skeet, and sporting clay fields at Oasis Gun Club let you practice shots of the non-golf variety, while Skydive Mesquite at Mesquite Municipal Airport affords a bird’s-eye perspective of the area’s spectacular terrain. golfmesquitenevada.com.

Much of that terrain lies on the other side of the Nevada-Utah border. Less than 50 miles separates St. George from Zion National Park, home of such geological wonders as The Great White Throne, The Watchman, Angels Landing and Weeping Rock.

And a two-hour drive places you amid the myriad brilliantly colored spires rising from the amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park. Only 80 miles from town, you’ll encounter a “mini Bryce” at the coliseum-like Cedar Breaks National Monument, which sits within the lush Dixie National Forest. There’s boating in nearby Sand Hollow State Park, as well as mountain biking along the Anasazi Trail and Gooseberry Mesa. For a bit of culture, drive 15 minutes northwest of St. George to catch a Broadway show or concert at the Tuacahn Amphitheater, Utah’s version of Red Rocks Amphitheater. Redrockgolftrail.com will lead you to all that the area has to offer.

And should you take a day trip to play either The Ranches or Thanksgiving Point, check out the Thanksgiving Point network of gardens, museums, shops and restaurants—all part of a charitable institute whose mission is “to inspire the minds and renew the spirits of young and old by providing unique learning experiences, family-friendly entertainment, and opportunities for discovery in a safe and beautiful environment.”

Fall 2 0 1 2 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Play 3 Rounds from $225 Includes: Green Fees, Cart Fees and Range Balls.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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Un

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nguarded Josh

Kroenke, UngUarded

M

ore than just his father’s proxy, the 32-year-old ore Nuggets and Avalanche boss is approachable, Nuggets intelligent, dedicated and industrious—all qualities he brings to his office and the golf course.

By Jon Rizzi | Portrait by E J Carr

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Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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and trades to marketing and ticket sales.

Josh says he understands the skepticism with which some people viewed the move.

He has dealt with critics most of his life.

Growing up the scion of the wealthiest family in Columbia, Mo., he says he often got teased and judged, and receiving a full scholarship (he was considered one of the Top 50 prep recruits in the country) to hoop for his hometown University of Missouri Tigers brought out “the doubters…the people I always have

EYE OF THE TIGER: Kroenke was one of Mizzou’s best passers and three-point shooters.

to prove wrong.” Which he did at Mizzou, mostly providing energy and offense off the bench, nailing clutch shots, especially from three-point range. He earned Academic AllBig 12 First Team honors.

“It’s always amazing to me when people say, ‘I can’t believe a guy like you wouldn’t just want to relax.’” he says. “My parents always preached hard work. Even in sports, my dad urged me to practice as hard as I could because the results would provide selfvalidation. He used basketball as a metaphor for life and business—teambuilding and working towards team goals.”

Golf played a role in young Josh’s development as well. Although the Kroenkes belonged to the Country Club of Missouri, neither had an interest in golf. But Nana— his maternal grandmother, Audrey Walton, who lived about an hour’s drive southwest of Columbia in Versailles—loved the game. “And Josh loved it immediately, too,” she says. “He was just a little guy and we’d play for fun, but I could see he’d be able to be good at it. It was

new and a challenge.”

That challenge would sometimes frustrate him, Walton remembers. “He’d get upset and mad. And I told him, ‘If you play with me you’ve got to have a better attitude or we’re going back to the house.’ He didn’t think I was serious, so the next time he got upset, I marched him right off the course and spent the rest of the day at home. From that day on, he always had the best attitude on the course.

He even invited me to play in a mother-son tournament at the Country Club of Missouri.

I’d bet he still has that ‘Attitude is Everything’ poster in his office.”

After graduating Mizzou in 2004 with a business degree, Josh took his attitude to New York, escaping the fishbowl of Columbia for an internship at the NBA league offices. A job with the Nuggets, the team his father purchased in 2000, seemed like a natural next step, but instead he signed on as an underwriter in Lehman Brothers’ Global Real Estate Group.

“I needed to get out of my comfort zone and I wanted to see if I could do some stuff on my own,” he says. “I proved a lot to myself, but I missed sports.” And so, about a year before everything fell apart at Lehman and after some soul-searching about going into the family business, he joined the Nuggets.

Nothing has fallen apart during Josh’s time at the helm. He successfully sweated out the Knicks to pull off the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster in 2011, and although he admits “losing Chauncey (Billups) hurt,” the move resulted in the ascension of star point guard Ty Lawson. He has looked to add “second draft” players—ballers such as JaVale McGee who didn’t pan out for the teams that originally drafted them—and aggressively negotiate to acquire all-stars like swingman Andre Iguodala. The team has made the playoffs every season since Josh’s arrival in the fall of 2007.

GREEN MACHINE: Putting is a Kroenke strength.

ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O f M i z z O U AT H l E T i C S ( T O P ) A n d b Y E . j . C A R R

f you’re going to make an impression at Cherry Hills Country Club, the opening and closing holes provide the perfect stages. Just ask Arnold Palmer or Birdie Kim. Or Josh Kroenke.

The first time Kroenke—the 32-year-old governor of the Colorado Avalanche, president and governor of the Denver Nuggets and alternate governor of the Colorado Rapids—played Cherry Hills as the guest of Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix, he drove the green from the same No. 1 tee, 346 yards away, that Arnold Palmer famously drove it in the 1960 U.S. Open.

“And then I three-putted for par,” he says, chuckling before curling in a tough 10-footer to get up and down and start today’s round at Cherry Hills with a “better” four.

Seventeen holes later, on the 487-yard 18th, Kroenke talks about the splash he made there while being sponsored for membership.

He isn’t talking about knocking one into the legendary lake running along the left side of the fairway; his drive and approach had both cleared that. He’s talking about a 100-yard pitch over the bunker where Kim holed out to win the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open. With the ball below his feet, the six-foot-four Kroenke toe-sliced his ProV1 high over the fence surrounding the pool area. “Worst shot ever,” he says. “I was so worried I’d hit a kid or someone.” Nobody got hurt—nor did his chances at joining Colorado’s most selective club.

In addition to Cherry Hills, Kroenke moves in some even more exclusive circles. One, via bloodlines, is the Forbes 400, where four of the 11 richest people in America are members of the same Walton (Wal-Mart) clan that claims his mother, Ann Walton Kroenke (no.

103 on the list). Josh’s father, the self-made sports and real estate mogul Stan Kroenke, ranks right behind at 107.

It was Stan Kroenke’s purchase of the National Football League’s St. Louis Rams in August, 2010, that thrust his son into uncharted territory—as a leader not only of a National Basketball Association team but also a National Hockey League club. The senior Kroenke still owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, but because of NFL cross-ownership rules involving major league sports franchises in other pro football cities, Stan Kroenke turned over operational control of the Nuggets and Avalanche to Josh, then 30, who had spent three years in the Nuggets front office as vice president of team development, where he worked in nearly every area of the organization, from salary cap

The Avalanche are a somewhat different story, although last year’s team posted a winning record and improved by 20 points over the previous season. Josh believes the emergence of solid young talent through the draft, combined with patience on the part of his mentor, team president Pierre Lacroix, and moves by General Manager Greg Sherman and head coach Joe Sacco, could return the team to the playoffs for the first time in three years. “We have to let the talent mature,” Josh says. “But you never know what will happen in the playoffs if you get hot. Look at the Kings last year. They were the lowest seed and won the Stanley Cup.” Sherman is part of Josh’s foursome at Cherry Hills. So are Nuggets Assistant Coach Chad Iske and fellow Cherry Hills member Matt Stava. Before the round, the club’s PGA Head Golf Professional John Ogden, a University of Kansas alum who has given Josh the only lessons in his adult life, good-naturedly ribs the former Missouri Tiger about his school leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. Josh parries, good sport that he is.

After that opening par, Josh triple-bogeys from the sand on No. 2. “You’re going to get the full spectrum today,” he tells me, laughing. “There’s always one hiccup that prevents

me from breaking 80.” He says his best-ever round is a 78 at Country Club of Missouri in Columbia.

As he slides the Pine Valley headcover to his putter, I notice one from Merion and Beverly Country Club sheathe his Rocketbalz Driver and TaylorMade R11 3-wood. It’s an impressive rota, though you get the distinct sense he’s not looking to impress anyone. It’s the same feeling you get when he mentions he plays a lot with PGA Tour player Ricky Barnes, who’s mutual friends and frequent playing partners with NBA players Luke Walton, Richard Jefferson and Kareem Rush. “Josh is a 9 who could easily be a 5 or 6 if he practiced more,” says Barnes. “He’s fun to play with.”

There’s no doubt about that, even though a reporter’s presence imposes a tacit “best behavior” agreement among the group. A second triple-bogey “hiccup” puts Josh at 43 for the front nine, but he’s ready to get after it on the back.

Concentrating on golf doesn’t preclude him talking about what a great coach George Karl is for “second draft” players like McGee or how much he loves to bring his English Bulldogs, Fletch and Arnie, to work at the Pepsi Center.

His favorite part of the job? “The great people at KSE. We have a lot of hard-working and

happy employees, and it makes going to the office fun.” He won’t discuss any Avalanche contract negotiations or the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement. He would love to see the Rapids regain the MLS Cup. In between conversations, he reaches the 594-yard 11th in two, then three-jacks a par.

Three more pars follow, thanks to some beautiful putting. A horrible stance in the bunker on the par-3 15th results in his third triple of the day. Finding himself under a tree on the 16th, he punches out and eventually saves bogey by sidewinding a 20-footer.

His confidence stoked, Josh goes on to birdie nos. 17 and 18—the two most intimidating holes on the course—to finish the nine at 40.

That’s an 83 with three triples, no balls in the pool, and plenty of gracious behavior towards his partners and the staff.

“Always good to see you, Mr. Kroenke,” one of the bag attendants, who looks older than Josh does, says as he cleans his clubs. “Looking forward to the start of the season!”

He doesn’t say which. But this is exactly the kind of positive impression Josh Kroenke wants to make—at Cherry Hills and on Denver’s professional sports scene. ag

Jon Rizzi is the editor of Colorado AvidGolfer.

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P H O T O G R A P H C O U RT E S Y O F T H E B R OA D M O O R

efore The Broadmoor’s easT Course hosted the 2008 U.S. Senior Open, PGA Director of Golf Russ Miller and Director of Golf Course Maintenance Fred Dickman embarked on a plan to restore many of the original characteristics that course architect Donald Ross had created in 1918.

It wasn’t just a lark. “It was an accumulation of research and travel and me growing up at a Ross course at Pinehurst and Freddy growing up at one in Chicago,” says Miller.

“We spent hours and hours and months and years, gathering information to understand

BUNKERING DOWN: The renovation restored depth and definition to the four greenside hazards on the par-4 eighth.

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

his philosophies.”

They hired architect Ron Forse, a Pennsylvania-based Ross restoration expert and used Ross’s original drawings and aerial photographs of the course from the 1930s to execute their plan. Over the years, many hazards and other elements had disappeared to speed play along the course. But by 2008, cross-bunkers, false fronts and mounds reappeared. Bunkers deepened and grew eyebrows. Fairways and greens changed shape and width. The entire course reverted to a more “classic form” that drew rave reviews from members, guests and competitors in both the senior event and the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open.

This year, thanks to four years of off-season renovations, hosannas can now also rain on the resort’s less-heralded West Course, which, like the East, combines “lower” holes designed by Ross and “upper” holes (across Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard) designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones.

“Re-Rossing” the West meant reintroducing many of the touches (cross-bunkering, etc.) that redefined the East, as well as other enhancements, such as hiding the views of the front tees from the back ones; removing cart paths that crossed fairways on holes 8 and 10; realigning fairways and adjusting the heights of teeing areas for improved sightlines; removing a number of fairway bunkers at the elbows of doglegs, while upping the total number of bunkers on the course to 75 and flashing them; removing or pruning trees that constricted landing areas; removing ponds on holes 5 and 11; and letting Spring Run flow symbolically in front of the eighteenth green to the first hole on the East course.

Dickman believes the course will play harder because of the changes, and its revised blue-tee slope/rating of 134/71.8 (up from 130/70.7) bears him out. Miller, however, says by keeping the rough at two instead of three inches and insisting golfers play from appropriate tees will offset any pace-of-play issues.

The pace of change at The Broadmoor over the next two years will be astounding. The resort, now under the ownership of Phil Anschutz,

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BROAD CHANGES: From bottom left, a soon-to-be overhauled West Building room; the newly mounded West Course; Charles Court will turn Italian; the Golden Bee will double in size; the West Lobby will gain a fireplace and livingroom atmosphere.

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Julie Penrose in 1918 and located across from the entrance to Broadmoor West, has been carefully restored.

By next April, The Tavern’s Garden Room will have the flowery ambience of a European conservatory, and the convivial Golden Bee will double in size with a new façade and tented rooftop and faithful reproductions of the 19th Century woodwork for which the ersatz London pub is famous. Over in the West building, the autographed portrait

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P H O T O G R A P H S C O U RT E S Y O F T H E B R OA D M O O R

will spend $60 million in renovations.

The May debut of the West Course’s $2 million upgrade coincided with the re-opening of 13 guestrooms and eight suites in the Southlake building, replete with new exterior landscaping, vestibules and patios. The 6,300-square-foot Cheyenne Lodge conference and event space near the Mountain Course upgraded its rustic exterior with timber and split logs. And the Spanish Missionstyle Pauline Chapel, commissioned by

restaurant with the ambiance of a historic Tuscan villa.

Whether in its restaurant offerings, golf course design, or overall guest experience, The Broadmoor, which will turn 100 in 2018, has never rested on its laurels. This multifaceted renovation reflects ownership’s unchanging commitment to excellence and the changes it necessitates.

As Broadmoor President Steve Bartolin succinctly puts it, “The designs of this multifaceted renovation perfectly complement The Broadmoor’s classic ambiance, refinement and original grandeur.” ag

Jon Rizzi is the editor of Colorado AvidGolfer. For more information: broadmoor.com; 719-577-5775.

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wall will lead to PLA—a family activity center, with six bowling lanes, billiard tables, board games and a restaurant and bar.

Forty of the $60 million will go towards renovating Broadmoor West—a building long on function but short on architectural form. By April 2014, the West will reflect the character and charm of the historic main building. All rooms will feature five-fixture marble baths with combination of terraces, French doors and Juliet balconies. The redesigned and expanded West Lobby Bar will greet guests with a living room complete with a fireplace and expansive outdoor terrace. The restaurant space currently occupied by Charles Court will undergo a transformation, courtesy of acclaimed architect Adam D. Tihany (who also designed The Broadmoor’s Summit), to an Italian

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hooing

geese,

greeting guests, accompanying the superintendent —thus reads the golf course canine’s job description. He or she usually reports to the maintenance facility’s alpha male, with whom he or she often goes home. While a “golf-trained” border collie can fetch breeders such as North Carolina’s Gwen Kuykendall as much as $6,500, many course dogs learn on the job. In recognition of this special bond, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) annually produces a “Dog Days of Golf” calendar. We didn’t go that far. But we did ask members of the GCSAA’s Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMGCSA) to provide shots and stories of their most loyal employees.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

“Jock” Harmony Club, Tinmath

In the seven years of Harmony Club’s existence, there has not been any sign of geese, thanks to this 12-and-half-year-old short-haired border collie. Despite only having one eye, Jock loves to play basketball with the guys when they are on break. “He is one of the best golf course dogs,” says Head Superintendent Mitch Bowers.

“Lollie” Red Sky Golf Club, Wolcott

“Thankfully Lollie is in this shot to soften the image a bit!” jokes Director of Golf Maintenance Michael V. Miner. A border collie/blue heeler mix, Lollie was bred to work. But she has taken to the life of a faithful companion, which, says Miner “carries a very lenient work environment!”

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“Levi”

Ironbridge Golf Club, Glenwood Springs

Levi has been with Golf Course Superintendent Eric Foerster since 2005. The ten-year-old border collie hails from North Carolina and has been specially trained to keep the geese off the property. “He has done a great job over the years; we seldom see geese during the season,” says Foerster. “He’s a great dog and a loyal companion on the course. He loves hotdogs, chasing chipmunks, tennis balls, and riding with me on my cart!”

“Bodie” The Golf Club at Bear Dance, Larkspur

“Benni”

The Broadlands Golf Course, Broomfield

The 10-year-old Australian shepherd has reached an age where he is a far better cart rider than a goose chaser. But he can still get after it when needed. However, the most amazing thing about Benni is he is 100 percent deaf. “He has been unable to hear since birth and I don’t think I will ever have another dog that can hear,” says Golf Course Superintendent Chris Lewis. “Benni knows about 10 to 12 sign language signs and he is very obedient. He will sit on my golf cart outside of the clubhouse all day without hesitation, and protects the shop yard with licks and tail wags when all the salesmen come by.”

This seven-year-old golden lab originally hails from Alamosa and joins Golf Course Superintendent Dave Cahalane at the course every day. “If he doesn’t go to work with me, he feels like he’s being punished,” says Cahalane. Bodie enjoys chasing the deer and elk but he just just doesn’t know what to make of the bears. “His ears get all weird. He doesn’t want anything to do with them.”

“Ranger”

Lake Arbor Golf Course, Arvada

Through his “dad,” Course Superintendent Joseph Putnam, this Llewellin setter describes how he “really got lucky when my dad took me home from the Motzkus family farm in Chappell, Nebraska. I love to run the fairways every morning, and chase off the geese before the golfers arrive. This year’s junior golfers were all so sweet to me. I also really love to drag greens with my dad in the mornings. Being a golf course dog, you have to have some pretty great social skills, so every day I stop by and see the guys in the shop and sometimes I sneak a hot dog from the restaurant. During our off time we love pheasant hunting back in my hometown. Being a golf course dog is the best job in the world!”

“Jaco”

South Suburban Golf Course, Centennial

Jaco, a six-year-old Australian Shepherd joined the South Suburban maintenance staff as an 8-week-old puppy in 2006. Since then, he has helped to keep the course almost completely free of geese. “But his most important job may be as our PR rep,” says Assistant Superintendent Scott Ellis, “especially with the Ladies’ clubs.” If you come play at South Suburban, feel free to bring Jaco a cookie, and you will have a friend for life. ag

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AFTER ALMOST FIVE YEARS OF DORMANCY, HOME SALES IN COLORADO GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES ARE BEGINNING TO SPRING BACK TO LIFE.

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U P H O T O G R A P H S C O U RT E S Y O F T H E K E n T w O O D C O M PA n Y

nsToppaBle.

That described the momentum of golf community real estate sales in select markets across the country between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s. It was the equivalent of Tiger Woods’ play during the same period, when he was the 10time PGA Player of the Year.

The high point may have come June 11-12, 2005, when Brasada Ranch, an 1800-acre project near Bend, Oregon, attracted enough buyers to snap up more than 200 home sites in two days, garnering a record-shattering $60 million.

Mirroring the national trend locally were new golf course communities including Pradera, Colorado Golf Club and Ravenna in Douglas County, Blackstone and Green Valley Ranch in Aurora, and Trinidad’s Cougar Canyon.

“In 2000 real estate was a place where people were putting their money and getting a nice return for their investment,” says Jeff Hendley, a luxury real estate specialist with Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwood Village. “People were gravitating towards communities with state-of-the-art golf courses, swimming pools and tennis courts, and numerous social activities.”

Hendley saw prices in some Denver metro area communities rising 10% annually, a trend that continued for several years. “At Pradera, real estate was booming in 2004 and 2005,” he continues. “Buyers were seeing an attractive entry price point, finding new and fresh ideas in homes staged on large lots built by quality builders. Pradera featured a great Jim Engh-designed, prairie-style golf course and the community was really focused around families.”

A ten minute drive north, the similarly private Colorado Golf Club was experiencing comparable success. Drawn by a championship layout designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, early purchasers acquired nearly all the 135 single-family custom home lots, while John Laing Homes bought the 35 remaining home sites.

Lot prices in the gated community started in the $300,000 range, some were selling between $450,000 and $600,000 and a few for $1 million.

“Looking back at Colorado Golf Club in 2005, and at Colorado’s golf community market in general, everybody was euphoric,” explains Jack O’Connor, Broker/Owner at The Denver 100. “At Colorado Golf Club prices went up dramatically—some more than 100% over a six- to nine-month period. People were saying, ‘I’d better get in before it gets too expensive.’”

Co l o r a d o A v i d G o l f e r. c o m

LIVING LARGE: Homes at Pradera (opposite) and Colorado Golf Club.

Real estate sales were robust in virtually all of Colorado’s new and existing golf communities. In Pradera and Ravenna new homes were selling in the high $400,000 to the $800,000 range. Blackstone, Vista Ridge and Green Valley Ranch were witnessing strong sales and pricing. Castle Pines, Glenmoor and Colorado Golf Club saw homes selling in the $1 million to $7 million stratosphere.

Then 2007 happened.

Fall 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Blackstone

The headlines said it all: “Shorefox foreclosure may be biggest in Grand County history.” (SKY HI News); “Colorado’s Brightwater Club Files for Chapter 11.” (Wall Street Journal); “Lender close to selling Ravenna golf course, vacant lots.” (The Denver Post); “Stalled golf resort lacks enough ‘green’.” (The Pueblo Chieftain).

The euphoria had turned to disbelief. Orvis Shorefox, with hopes to become a 1,500-acre golf and fly-fishing community in Granby, instead was a $21 million foreclosure. In 2006 Green Valley Ranch had 414 foreclosed homes. Ravenna’s lender took back more than 160 of the community’s 243 lots. Cougar Canyon, which filed for bankruptcy in April 2010, is still looking for cash. Ditto on John Laing Homes filing for bankruptcy. Match goes to the downward spiraling economy and subprime mortgage debacle.

“One of the areas hit the hardest beyond the stock market was

real estate and specifically golf course communities,” comments Fuller Sotheby’s Hendley. “Given the downturn, people were not going to spend money on a club membership or buying a new house at a golf community. Growth came to an absolute halt that lasted for a good three years. It was a horrible situation for golf course developers.”

Where golf communities were enjoying record home and lot sales, premium pricing and scores of new members, they instead were being hammered by foreclosures, bank short sales and a flurry of membership resignations.

“We went from the go-go times where one-acre lots in Cherry Hills Village were selling for $1.5 million to where you couldn’t even get $800,000 for that home site,” Hendley continues. “As banks weren’t lending and the economic downturn was accelerating, even the wealthy were scared to bite off a multimillion-dollar home in a market surrounded by so much uncertainty.”

Time Heals All Wounds

Pradera

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

Through 2010 and 2011, the financial distress that led to the bloodletting in the stock market and real estate market began to ease, and a turnaround is in the making. When Lennar Homes sold Blackstone Country Club to Canongate Golf Clubs of Georgia in 2009, Blackstone the community got a second wind.

“In 2007, I understand that most builders pulled out and there was no new construction going on,” says Mary Connelly, a New Home Consultant for Lennar at Blackstone. “When I came on in October 2010, we’d planned on starting one or two homes a month and now it looks like were scheduling the completion of four homes a month.”

With a high percentage of its home sites on or within close proximity of the golf course, the Miami-based homebuilder is finding buyers that like the feeling of open space. The introduction of

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Green Valley Ranch

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smaller residences targeted to empty nesters and three larger models to accommodate growing families have landed on buyers’ radars. Helping to fuel sales is the absence of foreclosed and short-sale homes that had once competed mightily against new home sales.

Lennar sold 20 homes at Blackstone in 2011 and the company had already sold 37 homes through early August. Showcasing a Jay Morrish-designed 18-hole course, the Blackstone community has also seen five production, semi-custom and custom home building companies return.

In 2005, Flying Horse, an emerging golf community in Colorado Springs, came out of the gate strong when Classic Homes purchased 163 home sites. Keller Homes and Advantage Homes fueled the project’s early success by each buying 100 lots.

“We continued to do very well in 2006 and early 2007, including closing on 27 lots in Toscana, where two lots sold for over a million dollars,” said Doug Stimple, CEO of Classic Companies, the developer of Flying Horse. “Similarly to the overall market, our numbers dropped a bit in the years that followed, but we were able to weather the storm. We knew people liked our project, our pricing and our club experience. I personally think people believe Flying Horse is the premier residential community in Colorado Springs for new construction.”

Ranked among the “Top 10 Private Courses in Colorado”, the Tom Weiskopf-designed layout combines with an impressive clubhouse, Athletic Club and Spa, and three swimming pools as key reasons homebuyers continue choosing Flying Horse.

Classic Homes is on track to sell 120 home sites this year, including 30 lots in Calistoga, a gated custom home enclave where prices range from $230,000 to $250,000. Turin, an enclave with average prices for lots at $85,000, and Siena, an age-targeted townhomes enclave selling in the $320s, have attracted very receptive buyers.

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Colorado Golf Club’s Betts Lake

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

ing a comeback. Lured by Front Range views last few years, but now it does. So we’ve beand play at Colorado National Golf Club come more relevant to buyers. There are a (formerly Vista Ridge), people are in a buy- lot of elements driving sales, but Vista Ridge offers a lot of open space and many activities. ing mood again.

“The golf course homes we released ended We’re in a good niche.”

Colorado Golf Club found relief by way of up selling in short order and we’re getting premium pricing for lots along the course,” Arendale Holdings, a Delaware-based real says Ward Ritter, President of Chartered estate financing and property development Homes of Colorado. “I’ve sold four times as firm with operating offices in New York and many houses this year in six months than I Florida. Last year, the company acquired 76 sold last year altogether. That is a big change home sites at Colorado Golf Club, including indicating to me that buyer confidence is back.”

Besides being able to tee up on a Jay Morrish-designed course, buyers—especially empty nesters—are finding the ranch product offered by Chartered Homes appealing. The homebuilder’s floor plans, standard features, ability to customize and price ranges are resonating with purchasers as well.

“It is almost as if being in a golf course community matters again,” adds Ritter.

CGC’s Betts Lake “It didn’t seem to matter the ColoradoAvidG o lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H S C O U RT E S Y O F T H E K E n T w O O D C O M PA n Y

Oakwood Homes, which companywide sold more than 800 homes in 2004 and then hit an all-time low in 2008 by selling just 187, has rebounded nicely at Green v Ranch. “We’re on track to hit sales figures of over 500 homes and we have bidding wars on what few resale homes are in the neighborhood,” says Alisa Poncher, Oakwood’s regional sales manager. “Another really exciting thing is that pricing is going up. We recently did a market analysis and some homes have increased $15,000 in value.”

Oakwood Homes has seen tremendous interest in its new Fairway Villas, ranch style homes introduced to buyers in the company’s 55+ active adult enclave. In early August four homes sold over a three-day period, bringing the total at press time to 45 sales.

Limited time incentives are also getting buyers at the semi-private golf club off the fence.

Among those are a lifetime membership to the Nine-Hole Par-3 Course, a discount on the annual membership to the championship course, nine-day advance tee times, and discounts on Pro Shop merchandise and The Eagle’s Nest restaurant located in the clubhouse.

Though impacted by the real estate slump in recent years, Vista Ridge in Erie is stag-

34 available lots at Betts Lake, an enclave of patio homes.

“We very strategically select communities that we believe have the best chance of recovering and continuing on at a high standard,” Sally Larkin Hall, Vice President at Arendale Holdings, explains. “Colorado Golf Club is one of a number of luxury golf course communities that we acquired, not only for its real estate potential, but also because of its desirable location, member experience and above market quality.”

After conducting its due diligence and a statistical analysis, the firm learned that Denver had the most improved real estate market in the country and was the nation’s fourth fastest growing area, factors that helped cement their decision to make a significant capital infusion.

“We were not interested in going into Colorado Golf Club, then turning around and just getting our money back out,” Hall states. “Similarly to our other investments we take more of a long-term perspective.

Our philosophy is to allow prices to stabilize then let all the boats rise with the tide.

That helps us to recapture our investment and see others within the community recapture theirs.”

When a home site at Colorado Golf Club sold recently for north of $600,000, realtors with listings there were cautiously optimistic that more lot and home sales would follow. Through the first eight months of the year nearly 60 homes have been purchased at Pradera in the $400,000 and up price point. With historically low interest rates, vanquished foreclosed properties and mortgage companies more willing to loan to qualified buyers, things are looking up.

“In July and August all of a sudden we started seeing homes in Cherry Hills Village and Denver Country Club just fly off the market,” says Hendley. “Once people started seeing these higher-end properties sell, now you’re seeing some of these onemillion-dollar homes selling before they hit the market, and if they do hit the market you’re seeing multiple and backup offers on them. That phenomenon starts filtering out towards other metro area golf course communities. It is a great sign.” ag

Kim McHugh, a Lowell Thomas award-winning writer and member of the Golf Writers Association of America, is a Contributing Editor for Colorado AvidGolfer. He is also a resort real estate marketing and advertising consultant.

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theGamesofGolf PUZZLERS

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haT sTarTe d as the dream of a golf-crazed seed tycoon has blossomed into a biannual beatdown. The Ryder Cup takes place September 2530 at Medinah Country Club. The Europeans won the last one in their backyard. Can team USA hold serve on home soil?

The following answers will add up to the number of points (no halves) the Americans need to reclaim the cup.

The record number of times Walter Hagen and Dai Rees each served as captain?

Number of Italians representing Europe?

Number of holes-in-one recorded in Ryder Cup competition (most recently by Paul Casey and Scott Verplank in 2006).

Number of times St. Andrews has hosted the Ryder Cup? Common suffix for this year’s U.S. captain and the host course?

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Colorado AvidGolfer | Fall 2012

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