Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
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"Everyone has his own choking level, a level at which he fails to play his normal golf. As you get more experienced, your choking level rises." |
-Johnny Miller |
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 With more than 200 golf courses in the state, Colorado is definitely a hot spot for summer golf and there is a wide variety of courses to choose from. There are also plenty of recreational opportunities. Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club (970) 984-9700 • www.lakotaranch.com Designed by nationally renowned architect, James Engh, Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club, is one of the newer courses on the block, opening for play in the spring of 2004. Elevated tee boxes — on occasion dropping 100 feet to the fairway — and undulating greens on nearly every hole are only a few of the features players face. Lakota offers a rare opportunity to enjoy affordable golf at the doorway of some of Western Colorado’s most breathtaking views. The golf course, a par-72, 7,111-yard course from the tips, winds through small natural gullies and canyons, which this area of Colorado is well noted for. Lakota’s signature hole is No. 16, a 418-yard, par 4, with a gully running through the fairway and prominent bunker protecting the green on the left. The course also features a fully stocked pro shop, golf instruction, a world-class driving range and state-of-the-art GPS system. Cobble Creek (970) 240-3884 • www.cobblecreek.com Cobble Creek is a 445-acre master-planned golf community featuring fabulous views of the majestic San Juan Mountains and the Cobble Creek Golf Club. Located an hour from the world-class Telluride ski area, Cobble Creek features a par-72 layout that stretches 6,982 yards from the back tees. The layout of the course is relatively flat and playable for all level of players. However, water comes into play on every hole, whether it’s a creek, lake or pond. The back nine is unique in that there are three par 3s, three par 4s, and three par 5s. The back nine is punctuated by the signature hole, No. 13, a 373-yard, par 4 with water on both sides of the fairway and an undulating green. On the second shot, golfers gaze into the spectacular view provided by the San Juan Mountains. The community also offers mountain hiking, fishing, snow shoeing, four wheeling, tennis and walking and bicycling trails. Cordillera (970) 569-6478 • www.cordillera-vail.com Located about two hours outside of Denver, Cordillera is an extraordinary private mountain community featuring four golf courses. From the Vail Valley floor to Cordillera’s summit, some of the best golf names in the game have put their stamp on the region, including Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Dave Pelz, and Hale Irwin. All four have created extraordinary golf courses here, each with an award-winning clubhouse and their own ambience and culinary experiences. If you’re normally short off the tee, you can get used to playing golf in Cordillera quickly. With elevation changes ranging from 7,000 feet to over 9,000 feet, golfers are in for a high-flying experience as golf balls tend to travel further in higher altitudes. If you want to start at the top, then head for the new Jack Nicklaus Summit Course, one of the Golden Bear’s signature courses. At 7,530 yards, the par-72 is built on top of a mountain range at 9,000 feet. The course meanders through open sage fields and aspen groves and offers incredible views of 13,000-foot peaks. “Big views, that’s the only way to describe it,” says Pentti Tofferi, director of golf for the Cordillera community. More of the same can be found on the 7,005-yard, par-71 Tom Fazio course, which sits at 7,200 feet, and the Hale Irwin Mountain Course, which is a par 72 at 7,413 yards. Elevation: 8,250 feet. Another gem in the community is the Dave Pelz Short Course. It features a 1,252-yard, par-27 at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The longest hole is 200 yards. And, Dave Pelz himself conducts golf schools at the course during the summer months. While the golf courses are hilly because of their mountain terrain, they all offer spectacular views as well. “We have a real variety of golf with our four courses,” Tofferi said. “And they’re all in world-class condition.” But there’s more to Cordillera than golf. The community features private Eagle River fishing, an acclaimed spa, an indoor equestrian arena, miles of riding, hiking and Nordic ski trails, three tennis centers, five indoor and outdoor pools, four fitness facilities, a portal to a million acres of wilderness and a summer camp and Trailhead clubhouse for children. Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center (800) 265-3527 • www.beaverrun.com Located in Breckenridge, the Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center provides a convenient, central location to test out the area’s golf courses. Established in the 1800s, Breckenridge is over 140 years old. Originally a mining haven for gold and silver, the town still reflects a quaint Victorian atmosphere with shops, boutiques and restaurants lining Main Street. Home to one of America’s favorite alpine destinations, the Breckenridge Ski Resort, Beaver Run also is within striking distance of seven golf courses, including the 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed Breckenridge Golf Club and The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks. Breckenridge Golf Club is situated in a beautiful mountain valley and has four sets of tees to choose from. The clubhouse sits at an elevation of 9,324 feet, and from the Nicklaus tees on the Elk-Beaver rotation, the par-72 course plays 7,145 yards and has a course rating of 73.5. The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks, a 7,413-yard par 72, is routed through towering pines, quaking aspens, crystal clear creeks and trout-filled lakes and features lush, rolling fairways, towering stands of pine and aspen and snow-capped 13,000-foot peaks. Elk, osprey, moose and eagles roam the area as well. Redlands Mesa Golf Course (877) 501-6372 • www.redlandsmesa.com Redlands Mesa is located in Grand Junction, which is nestled between towering rock formations and lush mountain ranges. The golf course was designed by award-winning architect Jim Engh, who incorporated many elevation changes, a fact golfers will quickly realize as nine holes play downhill from elevated tees. Wherever possible, native terrain and plants were left untouched. As you make your way around the course, you will find large rock outcroppings and marvelous views of the Grand Mesa, the Bookcliffs and the Colorado National Monument. A par 72, Redlands Mesa stretches 7,007 yards from the tips, and features dramatic vistas, 41 bunkers and unique hole shaping. From the championship tees, the course is rated 71.7. Vail Valley (866) 363-8245 • www.vailvalleygolf.com The Vail Valley is much more than the most beautiful place you’ll ever play golf — it’s home to a host of extraordinary golf destinations, from championship courses designed by greats like Arnold Palmer to family-friendly courses perfect for teaching your kids about the delights of golf. There are 13 championship golf courses to choose from in the Vail Valley ranging from public to private and semi-private courses. Combine your game with world-class dining, shopping, activities and events, and the Vail Valley truly becomes a golfer’s paradise. To help plan your golf vacation, four of the area’s top courses have teamed up to offer guests multi-course golf and lodging packages at attractive prices. |
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