Local Golf Course Information:
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
Location: 6630 Bear Dance Road, Larkspur; from I-25 at Plum Creek Parkway, take west frontage road south 5 miles to Tomah Rd., angle west a block onto Bear Dance Dr., head south 2.5 miles.
Status: Public
Challenge: Par 72, 7,726 yards
Designer: Corey Aurand, Stuart Bruening, Dennis Hogan
Course overview: Bear Dance has a mountain course feel but without the drive time. The route experiences significant ups-and-downs, through stands of ponderosa pine and gambel oak, with destination views of the Rampart Range behind Perry Park. Consistently rated among the most challenging public courses, never to be attempted without a cart.
On the web: beardancegolf.com
Red Hawk Ridge
Red Hawk Ridge
Location: 2156 Red Hawk Ridge Drive, Castle Rock. From I-25 take Wolfensberger Rd. west a half mile to Red Hawk Dr., turn right.
Status: Public
Challenge: Par 72, 6,942 yards
Designer: Jim Engh
Course overview: Red Hawk Ridge, laid out in lush bluegrass and native grasses, wraps a scenic and undulating terrain just two miles from Castle Rock’s historic downtown. With five sets of tees, this course offers challenges to the experienced golfer willing to balance risks and rewards with ample encounters with elevation, mounding, and well-placed bunkers and lakes. To any player, it delivers uncommon views of the rugged foothills and back ranges west of town.
On the web: redhawkridge.com
Ridge At Castle Pines North, Photo By Premier Aerials
Ridge at Castle Pines North
Location: 1414 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Rock; from I-25 take Castle Pines Pkwy west two miles
Status: Semi-private/option
Challenge: Par 71, 7,103 yards
Designer: Tom Weiskopf
Course overview: The Ridge at Castle Pines shares much of the same terrain at three premium, private clubs to the south, with fairways that meander between rugged promontories, through stands of pine and Gambel oak, and with a clubhouse that has a spectacular view of the Rampart Range south of Denver. It’s consistently ranked as one of Colorado’s best courses, rated by Colorado AvidGolfer five times as a top course.
On the web: playtheridge.com
Lone Tree Golf Course
Location: 9808 Sunningdale Blvd, Lone Tree; from I-25 take Lincoln Ave west 1.8 mile to Lone Tree Pkwy
Status: Semi-private/option
Challenge: Par 72, 7,054 yards
Designer: Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
Course overview: Lone Tree Golf Course was designed as a private club and later converted to an exceptionally well-rated public course. Water is a challenge on half of its holes, and bunkers are deep, but players of all abilities appreciate views overlooking the Denver area. There’s a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse with extensive hotel and entertainment facilities.
On the web: golf.ssprd.org/lone-tree-golf-club-hotel
South Suburban Golf Course
Location: 7900 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial; from C-470 exit at S. Quebec St. and turn immediately west on County Line Rd, continue 2 miles to S. Colorado Blvd., turn north to Links Pkwy.
Status: Public
Challenge: Par 72, 6,793 yards
Designer: Dick Phelps
Course overview: South Suburban is an enduring popular public course, with a regulation course supplemented by a 9-hole, par-3 links course. The main course has an open layout with rolling greens, water, and bunkers, well maintained by South Suburban Parks and Recreation. Views of the mountains are available from the fairways and from a bar and grill.
On the web: golf.ssprd.org/south-suburban-golf-course
University of Denver Golf Club
Location: 9000 Creekside Way, Highlands Ranch; from C-470 take Lucent Blvd. south a block to Plaza Dr., head west 0.2 mile to Creekside, then turn south.
Status: Semi-private
Challenge: Par 72, 7,179 yards
Designer: Hale Irwin
Course overview: The University of Denver Golf Club offers an 18-hole semi-private golf club that’s home to the University’s Division I men’s and women’s varsity golf programs and offers good views of the foothills from its bentgrass greens. Originally Highlands Ranch Golf Club, the course was gifted in 2012 to the university.
On the web: dugchr.com