You could play a lot of Colorado golf and never come across a hole as pretty as No. 2 on the Bent Tree course near Salida, beneath a cascade of cottonwoods that frame 14,229-foot Mt. Shavano above the pin, with the Little Arkansas River winding the inside edge — part eye candy, part water trap. You MAY find a hole that pretty; but you won’t find a builder willing to do a patio ranch nearby for $295,000.
That’s what you can explore three hours south, near the scenic Victorian town off Highway 285 at U.S. 50. Bring your clubs and you can actually play that signature hole today, tour the rest of the front nine near-ready to play, and see sites for view-swept patio homes and customs (acre lots with city taps from $59,500) that wander a scenic route through piñons and junipers. Wrapped by 14-ers, with world class rafting, fishing and Monarch’s deep-powder skiing to boot, Salida had only a 9-hole course built back in 1926, before developers launched this 18-hole design by Ric Buckton, at Poncha Springs in 2007.
“He had terrific terrain to work with, but he avoids Jack Nicklaus’ mistake of making the play too difficult,” Bent Tree managing partner Gary Findlay told me over dinner at Ferraro’s on Salida’s historic F Street. “It’s just enough to make you keep coming back to do better.”
Findlay’s group, which took over Bent Tree early this year, is also doing a better job, with cooperation from Poncha Springs and the town of Salida.
They changed the name (originally Friend Ranch), took deposits from locals for some sites, and set a district plan that applies new lot revenues to launch the construction of the back nine.
They’ve also cut prices–some lots 50% below recent appraised values. “This will wow anybody comparing to new Denver area ranches, without the course and the views,” said Dennis R. Saffell, broker/owner with Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties. “Their kids and grandkids are going to love the powder skiing and the fishing.” To prove the point, Saffell (he’s also guides fly fishing for a million-dollar mountain home clientele) took me on the Little Arkansas, where a trout snapped my 5x tippet near the No. 2 pin, and I took a 12-inch brook nearby.
But you don’t want to let this golf get away, says Saffell,…or this town that has the appeal that Aspen and Telluride did before they went gaga. His team will offer the first five reservations a $25,000 golf membership on $2,000 refundable deposits. Head west on 285 past 470, 123 miles to U.S. 50 near Salida and Poncha Springs, then turn right (west) on 50, 2 mi., watch for the entry on the left.
If you go…
WHERE:
Bent Tree Golf Club, patio homes/custom home sites on new course in Poncha Springs; up to 50% off all lots, $2,000 reservation refundable; preview knock-around golf today, first 5 buyers get free membership. Take U.S. 285 west from C-470, 123 miles to U.S. 50, then turn right (west) on 50, 2 mi., on left
PRICE:
Patio homes from $290s; custom sites from $59,500, average mid-$100s
WHEN:
Today & daily, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE:
719-539-1900
