Getting your player ready...
You may have golfed around Denver your whole life, even attended major tournaments, and have NO idea what kind of attention is headed our way one year from now, when the Solheim Cup comes to view-swept Colorado Golf Club in Parker. The networks are giving the political conventions only three hours each of broadcast time; but Solheim, with top U.S. and European women players going head-to-head in a rocket-fueled matchup, will get 70-plus hours from NBC Sports’ Golf Channel going into 60-plus countries – the highest U.S. viewership of any LPGA event. You could watch on TV, or better yet, you could actually be living in Colorado Golf Club by then, in a plush walkout ranch on a half-acre, at $895,000.
It’ll be wall-to-wall coverage, every shot live,” said Tom Ferrell, director of marketing and communications at Colorado Golf Club. His real estate team will show you Colorado Golf Club this weekend (call first if you can!) including a lavish walkout ranch that backs to 9-acre Betts Lake and a Rockies panorama; along with the 44,000-square-foot clubhouse. Ferrell was winding down from a press conference yesterday, where the European team announced that Swedish pro and 90-tournament-winner Annika Sorenstam will be their Solheim vice-captain. (The American team already pegged NBC Sports golf analyst Dottie Pepper in that slot – a sparkplug whose competitive demeanor captures the rivalry that sets Solheim apart from any PGA event you’ve seen (Pepper’s likeness was used for a punching bag in the Euro locker room during the 1998 tourney).“The experience is closer to the Olympics than to a golf match,” adds Ferrell. While European players warm up for a rare outing at 5,800 feet above sea level, project leader Amy Meyers has been working out with Masterpiece Custom Homes and championship architect Karen Keating on new plans that bring ranch living inside the Club’s gated surroundings (on a half-acre site!) to the lower-than-$900,000 range. “These are for buyers who aren’t interested in giving up much space or luxury,” Meyers said. “We call it a ‘Movin’ on Down’ scenario – room to really entertain, and we’re not charging any more for the quality.” In the case of the ranch you’ll tour (it just sold, so this is a last chance to see it) that means Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, alder cabinets, 3-car garage, lavish tile, and the walkout itself (including finished space that near-doubles the size with guest suites and recreation area) – all in the price. And the last thing you’re going to get, adds Meyers, is a bunch of constraints on what finishes you can have. Even the landscape has options factored in. Colorado Golf Club’s rising prominence named by Golf Week as 7th best golf community in the U.S. – translates to high activity, Ferrell says. A custom site just sold at over $600,000; and more buyers took out lot-holds at Betts Lake last week. “Colorado Golf Club is one of the top club communities in all of America,” says Scott Webber, president of Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, listing agents for the Club’s real estate partner, Arendale Holdings. “And the Solheim Cup is going to bring international exposure to the singular lifestyle residents enjoy.” That could be yours when an expected 10,000 visitors arrive in town for their trip down to Solheim. To explore possibilities (tour today thru Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) including for custom homes, call 303-840-0090 for an appointment. In addition to E-470 there are TWO new ways to get there – east on new RidgeGate Parkway from I-25; or south to Castle Pines Parkway (new Hess Road extension). Once to Parker Road, head south to Stroh, then left a block to the club entrance and gate. WHERE: Tours of Colorado Golf Club, site of next summer’s Solheim Cup; including 44,000-foot clubhouse and luxury walkout ranches on Betts Lake at special pricing, custom quality finishes, 2,600-4,300 sq. ft. wrapping a 9-acre lake; 1/2-to-1 acre sites. Call first for appointment; take I-25 south to Castle Pines Pkwy Exit 188 (Hess Road). Head east 5 mi. to Parker Road, south on Parker to Stroh; turn left, one long block to club entrance and security gate PRICE: From $895,000 WHEN: Tours available today thru Sunday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
and business; you can email him at
mark@samuelsonassoc.com.
You can see all of Mark Samuelson’s columns at DenverPost.com/RealEstate.
