Southern Colorado golf tour

by | May 26, 2017 | Golf Courses, Reviews

COCOgolftourPre Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana, if Colorado were known for one thing, it would be our 29,000-plus acres of skiable terrain, which justifiably makes us “Ski Country USA.”

But happy as we are hitting the high country during the winter months to make some leisurely lines on the slopes, the snow-sports scene takes a backseat to every other fitness-focused activity you can think of during the summer season. (Oh, you climb the Incline every weekend? How novel.)

It’s easy to forget — that is, if you knew it already — that Colorado is also home to an impressive array of golf courses, more than 200 of them, including some of the highest-rated private and public courses in the country. Southern Colorado hosts a number of premiere tracks unlike any others. Really, where else can you tee off from close to 9,000 feet above sea level? From Monument and Woodland Park, to Colorado Springs and Cañon City, long links-style layouts to 9-hole par-3s, the grass really is greener in Colorado.

Quintessential Colorado

Snow-capped mountains, forested foothills, bubbling creeks, big game and other wildlife: The golf at Shining Mountain Golf Club (100 Shining Mountain Lane, Woodland Park, shiningmountaingolf.com) is just the icing on the cake. One of the state’s most accessible mountain courses from a metro area, about 30 miles west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24, Shining Mountain’s 18-hole, par-70 layout is a must-play for the views alone. Tight, undulating fairways hug the hills and surrounding marshlands under Pikes Peak’s north face, defining the beauty of Colorado at every turn. Shining Mountain’s signature hole could be the par-3 17th, its elevated tee boxes looking out to a large green protected by a small pond, and set against the gorgeous backdrop of the valley, forest and the towering Rocky Mountains.

Municipal courses

Notably lacking in quality in southern Colorado, municipal courses are to the average golfer what a grade school is to any Average Joe: nostalgic. City-run courses become a part of the local community; a neighborhood gathering place, a go-to bar spot, an event venue — not just a place to swing the sticks. No place exhibits this more than Patty Jewett Golf Course (900 E. Espanola St., pattyjewettgolfshop.com), one of the Springs’ two municipal courses. The 27-hole layout is both welcoming and challenging to players of any skill level, and delivers iconic views of the Front Range from anywhere on the property. Prime conditions and a clubhouse with a warm, appealing patina complete an affordable country club feel.

Conditions are also king at Pueblo’s Walking Stick Golf Course (4301 Walking Stick Blvd., Pueblo, walkingstickpueblo.com), one of Pueblo’s three muni courses. The 18-hole, par-72 layout has historically rated as one of Colorado’s best courses to play on a budget, offering players a full-service, desert-links style design for less than $40 per round during peak season. The picturesque track sports rolling fairways, pot bunkers and troubling natural hazards, paying off with big, inviting greens and plenty of scoring opportunities.

More area links

Rooted in tradition, the prevailing golf course design you’ll find anywhere is links, and southern Colorado is no different. Historically, links courses are coastal, with scant trees, expansive natural hazards and undulating terrain. Sans the nearby beach, King’s Deer Golf Club (19255 Royal Troon Drive, Monument, kingsdeergolfclub.com) stays true to a modern links design — a formidable, 18-hole, par-71 challenge surrounded by lush, gorgeous marshlands and abundant natural hazards. Target golfers and scramblers are the only ones to master this realm, but long hitters may find some low scores too.

On the east side of Colorado Springs, Springs Ranch Golf Club (3525 Tutt Blvd., springsranchgolfclub.com) hones its own links design. The newly remodeled layout criss-crosses Sand Creek several times, taking advantage of the natural dunes and expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Trouble isn’t hard to find on any golf course, but Springs Ranch is the perfect place to get aggressive and shoot right at the pin.

Cap your Colorado links mini-tour at Cañon City’s Four Mile Ranch Golf Club (3501 Telegraph Trail, Cañon City, fourmileranch.com). This up-and-coming golf community centers on the 18-hole, par-72 layout. Don’t let the humble clubhouse (I mean trailer) fool you, Four Mile is a course you won’t soon forget. Undulating is an understatement — this is a raging sea of conditioned turf that’s both forgiving and infuriating. Blind shots are a signature at Four Mile, grip it and rip and trust the funneling greens will reward your ambition.

Military and private courses

At the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, across U.S. Highway 115 from Cheyenne Mountain State Park, awaits Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course (1050 Titus Blvd. #7800, carson.armymwr.com), Fort Carson’s resident track. Open to civilians, the 18-hole, par-72 layout boasts dramatic views of the surrounding landscape, and is approachable by any player. The Air Force Academy is home to the much-lauded Eisenhower courses (usafasupport.com/golf-course.html), two 18-hole tracks playing amongst the trees and foothills for service members and their guests. Meanwhile, Peterson AFB hosts Silver Spruce Golf Course (40 Glasgow Ave., 21fss.com/silver-spruce-golf-course). Its well-maintained 18-hole and 9-hole, par-3 courses are also open to the public.

The Springs’ private courses are much like anywhere else: pricey and exclusive. But if you have a chance to chase birdies at the Colorado Springs Country Club, Garden of the Gods Country Club, Cheyenne Mountain C.C., or even The Broadmoor, you’d be a fool not to take it. Exceptional conditions and five-star treatment is what the country club life is all about, and every golfer should experience it at least once.

Practice, practice, practice

It’s hard to enjoy a round if you’re thinking about breaking every club in your bag, no matter where you are. But there are a number of facilities here to help lower your scores. World Golf & Sand Creek G.C. (6865 Galley Road, worldgolfsandcreek.com) on the east side of town is the site of a large, stadium-lit driving range, a practice green — and mini golf — a golf simulator and a short 9-hole track. And Cherokee Ridge Golf Course (1850 Tuskegee Place, cherokeeridgegolfcourse.com), home to a regulation 9-hole and another 9-hole, par-3, is another suitable, inexpensive place to hone your hacking. The First Tee (525 N. Academy Blvd., thefirstteepikespeak.org) hosts youth programs at its impressive indoor practice facility, also open to the public year-round for practice sessions.

Shoot ’em straight.

Editor’s Note: This content was originally published in the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper, used with permission.

Cherokee Ridge Golf Course makes practice perfect

by | Nov 1, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews

The perfect practice round is waiting for you on the Powers corridor in Colorado Springs. The fairways at Cherokee Ridge are wide, the greens are forgiving, and the few hazards that are present play little into a target golfer’s game.

I took to the regulation 9-hole course on a weekend in the fall ($15 for nine holes, walking) — the property is also home to one of the few executive par-3 courses in the city. The scant amount of tree cover leaves this course exposed to the mile high sun all day, and despite some recent rainstorms the conditions were really dry, the setting for a long-ball hitter’s dream.

Dreams come to fruition at the no. 1 tee — a 394-yard par-4 with a slightly elevated tee box facing America’s Mountain. Avoid playing too far left into only water hazard on the regulation course and you’ll find an easy approach to the unprotected right side of the green. But don’t pinch yourself yet,  no. 2 and no. 3, a par-5 and par-4, respectively, scream for the big stick with parallel fairways and little danger to take into account, too.

Cherokee Ridge No.2 Flag

A look back at the par-4 no. 2 fairway from the green.

The first real decision making for mid to long hitters comes to play on no. 3: The fairway is split with light rough near the 150-yard marker, before a slight dog leg to the right. Though most of the rough at Cherokee Ridge offers an easy out, some may want to play shorter from the tee and setup a cleaner approach to the slightly elevated green.

No. 4 can be tricky. A 154-yard par-3 with few looming pine trees coming into play when the pin is on the right side of the green. The green is big enough to play safe on the left, unprotected side of the green, though, you’ll just have to worried about your putting stroke on the super fast dance floor.

Cherokee Ridge No.5 Fairway

View from the no. 5 fairway: See what I mean by “wide open”?

The 425-yard par-4 at no. 5 should be a walk in the park. Trees line both sides of the box and the opening to wide open fairway, and green protected by large bunkers on both the left and right sides.

The only sketchy play comes near the trees and native grass down the left side of the fairway. (Safety note: No. 5 lies close the course driving range with only a short fence acting as a barrier, and those on the the range can’t see players on no. 5. Fore!)

I can never not play no. 5 from the left side, making it harder than it should be and allowing the right green side bunker to become a factor in my approach — not to mention any bombs coming over from the range. Today I hit the beach — it’s a lot deeper, menacing, and, well, more hazardous than I remember.

Cherokee Ridge No.5 Bunker

This is not the normal state of CR’s bunkers — yes, usually you have to rake — but it made for an exciting out, none-the-less.

Back to the open range on no. 6. Grip it and rip on the 360-yard, uphill par-4. Play the left side of the fairway off the tee — long hitters should beware of a large fairway bunker on the left side of the fairway — to get a clear approach the protected green. There’s a slight dog leg right starting at the fairway bunker, just after the 150-yard marker. Another green side bunker threatens approaches from the right side and is hidden by some trees.

Cherokee Ridge No.7

The no. 7 fairway is about as wide as it is long.

No. 7, a par-3,  is easy but long, coming in at 195 yards to the center of the green from the tips. Shorter tee shots need to thread two green side bunkers, but the fairway is wide enough to make them non-factors. Fly the green, or miss deep to the left, and you’ll have a blind shot at the pin from the bottom of a hill, Club selection is key.

The fast and hard conditions led me to a 5-iron from the tee, playing my second shot from a few yards out from the front fringe. Nothing wrong with up-and-down for par here.

Placement is key on no. 8. The 400-yard par-4 turns sharply to the left and the fairway can be very elusive from the tee. There’s a good chance mid to long hitters will fly the fairway with a driver — I was lying just shy of the no. 6 fairway from the tee. But long hitters can cut the corner and catch the bottom portion of the fairway — you’ll have to track your ball flight, trees line the left side of the fairway and block the view from the tee. The safe play is a layup near the bunker at the start of the dog leg.

Cherokee Ridge No.8 Fairway

Trees protect the inside corner of the sharp dog leg on the par-4 no. 8.

Playing from the far right isn’t the worst, though, sans a few bunches of trees, the approach to the green is pretty clear. The layout of this hole makes it arguably the toughest on the regulation course, rivaled only by it’s next door neighbor, the par-5 no. 9.

Cherokee Ridge No.9

Fairway bunkers dictate shorter shots from the no. 9 tee box.

Cherokee Ridge’s closer is 448 yards uphill, but seems to play a lot longer. The fairway runs parallel to the driving range with a killer view of Pikes Peak, and another slight dog leg left reveals an elevated, protected green. Right and left side fairway bunkers may dictate where you play from the tee — long hitters can carry the bunker on the right and should. Trees and native grass protect the inside corner of the slight dog leg and hide the flag from shooters playing too far left from the tee.

I lined a worm-burner from the tee right down the middle of the fairway and, mercifully, just left of the right side bunker. I could see the flag but figured I was still too far left for a shot at the green with a fairway wood. I did have a clear enough shot at the front right side of the green and was able to place my second shot on the fairway about 10 yards out. I didn’t see my ball land because of the gradient of the hole, not realizing there is a big bunker on the right side of the green, and even bigger hills and valleys ready to swallow it had I tried to land any closer to the pin.

Cherokee Ridge no.9 Fairway

Pikes Peak peeks down the no. 9 dog leg from behind the trees and driving range fence.

So, I’m on in three with a downhill putt for birdie to close the round. Either my putter, or, more likely, I forgot about the ridiculous green speeds and threw my birdie chances away with a rocket past the cup. Can’t be mad with a two-putt par, unless it lips out and a closing bogey is staring you in the face.

(Find me at the closest practice green, forever shamed.)

Cherokee Ridge may not impress your country club friends, but I don’t think it’s trying to. It will impress your wallet, and may very well put a dent in your handicap on the right day. Target golfer or long ball hitter, it doesn’t matter: These nine holes are easily played with any game. And for everyday golfers looking for a quick practice or twilight round, young grinders working on their game, and even hackers looking for somewhere they can’t lose a ball in Colorado Springs, you won’t find a better option than Cherokee Ridge.