Interstate 70 from border to border can be a long, dull drive. But for duffers with hole-in-one dreams, Colorado’s main drag is potentially a thrill a mile. Staff writer Greg Henry threw the clubs in the back of the car and gave courses between Kansas and Utah his best shot.
Golfers know the feeling, that moment on a lonely stretch of interstate highway when the sight of an unfamiliar course fills the rear-view mirror. The hairs rise on the back of your neck, and you wonder: “What’s the name of that course?” or “Do I dare play a round?” or “Why didn’t I bring my #*@&$ clubs!” From border to border, there are plenty of courses in plain sight of Interstate 70, and others just a short ride down an exit ramp. Some you can play; some you’ll have to just dream about. We played the public links (and peered down some of the private fairways) and offer this scorecard of 18 courses.
PUBLIC COURSES
1. MOSSLAND MEMORIAL
Flagler, 120 miles east of Denver. Exit 395. Directions: Go south a half-mile to the course. Contact: 719-765-4659. Fees: Call for rates, but it’s a bargain at less than $20 for nine holes.
Apres golf: The nearest restaurant is in Limon, so pack a lunch.
Back story: Flagler, population 612, is known for its farming and ranching and its stellar eight-man high school football team.
2. WILLIS CASE
Denver, Exit 272 (Federal Boulevard).
Directions: North on Federal to West 50th Avenue and turn west (left). Follow 50th to the stop sign at Tennyson Street. Veer left to the clubhouse. The traffic of I-70 and particularly Sheridan Boulevard can be troublesome on the back nine. Contact: 303-455-9801 or visit cityofdenvergolf.com. Fees: $20-$24 plus cart.
Best hole: The 12th heads west along the interstate and offers a fabulous view of the mountains and Lakeside Amusement Park.
Apres golf: Parisi Market & Deli six blocks south of the course at West 44th and Tennyson or Tami’s Burger Haven, “home of the 6-inch burger,” on 44th Avenue just west of Sheridan. Or, pack a lunch and picnic at Rocky Mountain Lake Park, 44th and Lowell. You might catch a mean game of horseshoes.
3. COPPER CREEK
Copper Mountain, Exit 195. Directions: Go one-quarter mile on Copper Road and turn left on Golf Course Drive. Contact: 970-968-3333 or visit coppercolorado.com/golf/copper_creek/index.htm. Fees: $39-$89 (includes carts).
Best hole: What’s not to like about the par-4, downhill No. 14? At 332 yards from the back tees, the green is reachable. I came close and chipped in for an eagle!
Apres golf: JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern. Great bar fare, perfect for the 19th- hole stop.
Back story: Stay at Copper (coppercolorado.com) and you’ll likely get deals to play Copper and the Raven at Three Peaks, both owned by Intrawest.
4. VAIL
Vail, Exit 176 (main Vail exit). Directions: Take south Frontage Road, then east 2 miles to Vail Valley Drive. Contact: 970-479-2260 or visit vailrec.com/venues_golfclub.htm. Fees: $40-$99.
Best hole: I liked the par-5 12th, but then again I birdied it, thanks to a 250- yard second shot that got within 9 feet.
Apres golf: For dinner try Terra Bistro at the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa, 352 Meadow Drive. 970-476-6836 or vailmountainlodge.com/terra. Our recommendation: the salted Amish beef filet.
Back story: Vail is undergoing a $1 billion renovation; the village streets are torn up. You may be able to bargain for better rates at hotels, and restaurants are offering deals.
5. EAGLE-VAIL GOLF CLUB
Between Vail and Avon, Exit 169. Directions: Left at light on U.S. 6, turn left at next traffic light on Eagle Drive. Go one-quarter mile up hill past the golf range to the clubhouse on your right. Contact: 970-949- 5267 or 800-341-8051 or visit eaglevail.org. Fees: $45-$94.
Best hole: Can’t pick just one. I liked all the par 3s because of the amazing drops to the hole on almost all and the traverses around the Eagle River.
Apres golf: Bypass the dreary clubhouse bar (far too dark and no outdoor patio). Head west on U.S. 6 to Avon for Mirabelle, an elegant French restaurant at the base of Beaver Creek resort. Or a little farther west on U.S. 6, try the more casual Gashouse (a great outdoor patio and just off Edwards Exit 163).
Back story: The Vail Valley is promoting its five courses with a golf package deal at 866-363- 8245 or golfvailvalley.com
6. SONNENALP
Edwards, Exit 163. Directions: Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and an immediate right on Berry Creek Road. Contact: 970-477-5370 or visit sonnenalp.com/activities/golf/index.html. Fees: Varies. Public can get tee times a week ahead of time, but better rates may be available through packages at the Sonnenalp Resort’s hotel in Vail.
Best hole: The par-4, downhill 15th hole is 352 yards from the white tees, but reachable with a great drive. Watch the water to the left of the green, though.
Apres golf: Stay for lunch at Balata’s, the golf course restaurant. Excellent menu and a great view overlooking the pool and down to I-70.
Back story: Sonnenalp hosted the Colorado Open for two years. The 2003 event was canceled two days before the opening round when the tournament director claimed the event was out of money although it collected nearly $50,000 in entry fees from 156 golfers. The tournament since has relocated to Green Valley Ranch in Denver.
7. THE CLUB AT CORDILLERA
(Valley Course)
Edwards, Exit 163. Directions: Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and follow the frontage road west about 1 mile to the guard gate. Contact: 970-926-5950 or visit cordillera-vail.com/Golf.aspx Fees: Varies. Open to members, their guests and lodgers at the Cordillera Resort.
Best hole: We’ll say the 19th. The clubhouse bar and restaurant, Chaparral, is a pleasant stop after a long round.
Apres golf: Try the Irish pub fare at the Grouse on the Green. The restaurant overlooks the Dave Pelz Short Course, one of four Cordillera facilities.
Back story: I found the greens on the Valley course incredibly tough. The Summit and Mountain are the better courses in my book.
OFF THE HIGHWAY
8. GREEN VALLEY RANCH
Just a little more than a mile north of I-70 off the Tower Road exit. 303-371-3131 or gvrgolf.com.
9. FOSSIL TRACE
This Golden gem is perhaps the most-discussed course in the metro area in the past five years. Just off Sixth Avenue behind the Jefferson County administration and courts building. 303-277-8750 or fossiltrace.com.
10. THE RAVEN AT THREE PEAKS
Only 3 miles north of I-70 on Colorado 9 at the Silverthorne exit. 970-262-3636 or intrawestgolf.com/ raven_threepeaks
11. BEAVER CREEK
Available to Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead lodging guests and club members only in the summer. 970-845-5775 or beavercreek.snow.com/info/summer/golf.bc.asp
12. RED SKY
Two magnificent courses (Fazio and Norman) a little more than a mile south of the Wolcott exit. Stay- and-play packages through Vail Resorts. 970- 477-8425 or redskygolfclub.com
13. EAGLE RANCH
The Arnold Palmer-designed course is one of Eagle County’s finest and about a mile south of I-70. 970-328- 2882 or eagleranchgolf.com.
14. LAKOTA CANYON RANCH
Another acclaimed course by Colorado- based golf architect Jim Engh, who also designed Fossil Trace. A mile north of the interstate in New Castle. 970-984- 9700 or lakotacanyonranch.com/home.htm
15. BATTLEMENT MESA
Take Exit 75 at Parachute, head south and follow the road about 2 miles across the Colorado River to the clubhouse. 970-285- 7274 or battlementmesagolf.com
DREAM COURSES
16. COUNTRY CLUB OF THE ROCKIES
Open to members and their guests only. Located in Edwards on U.S. 6. You can see much of the Jack Nicklaus-designed course from Sonnenalp Golf Course.
17. EAGLE SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB
You see almost the entire course as you pass the Wolcott exit. Open to members and their guests only.
18. BOOKCLIFF COUNTRY CLUB
Grand Junction’s Bookcliff is undergoing a major renovation, including a $7.8 million clubhouse scheduled to open in November.
