Paradiso on the Platte

The Golf Club at Ravenna occupies a dramatic piece of land, and reflects an even more dramatic sense of history and service.

 

Hewn from the red-rock outcroppings of Waterton Canyon, The Golf Club at Ravenna takes its name not from the latticework of ravines that define its 635 acres, but from the ancient, Italian city-state that once served as a cultural and economic hub. Its singular beauty inspired Lord Byron, Oscar Wilde, Hermann Hesse and its most famous poet-in-residence, Dante Alighieri, who during his three-year exile from Florence knocked out the last cantos of Paradiso, the third and final part of his epic, The Divine Comedy.

In the Colorado version of Ravenna, Dante Drive leads to Paradiso Lane, Virgil Street, Beatrice Court, Florence Avenue, Cicero Lane and so on. Nine neighborhoods will pop up along these roads—all of which will feature rustic, Tuscan-themed homes on 1.5-acre lots, and none of which will intrude on the canvas of Jay Morrish, who has painted 18 divine holes that open for play this month.

The Old World connection, however, goes far deeper than the clubhouse’s Tuscan tiles and hand-cut stone. As Dante wrote, “Beauty awakens the soul to act,” and the New World Ravenna abounds in natural pulchritude, which developer Glenn Jacks believes will attract and nourish his members’ souls in every way possible. “It’s all about bringing joy to people‘s lives, about making life better, easier, richer,” he says. “We’re all about adapting to club members, meeting their needs and serving them.”

To that end, Ravenna will feature 24-hour concierge service; fly-fishing experts who’ll give on-premises casting classes on the Platte River (which runs through the property) and guide trips to distant waters; a five-star restaurant; airport shuttle service; local and international travel-booking using a director of pursuits; dry-cleaning pickup and dinner delivery; a gourmet mini-market with an espresso bar; a fitness center, swimming pool and clay tennis courts; and just about every other conceivable service and amenity.  

It’s a resort-level experience with everything except the turn-down service and a mint on the pillow (although it’s likely Ravenna would honor even that request). All homes will be linked with fiber optics for instant communication. “Not only will you be able to book your tee time, you’ll be able to fill a foursome with someone at your handicap,” says Jacks. “We can personalize it so you’re, say, automatically notified when a wine in your cellar is ripe for drinking, suggest a pairing for it and recommend other vintages you might enjoy.”

As reported in last month’s issue, among Ravenna’s distinctions is its proprietary relationship with a dozen estate-grown, family-owned Northern California wineries— Chappallet, Far Niente, Groth, Hanzell, Heitz, Joseph Phelps, Lancaster Estate, Nickel & Nickel, Raymond, Swanson and Trefethen. Winery representatives and owners have Ravenna memberships and will host special tastings during the year. And members of Ravenna’s Vintner’s Club will receive special pricing, advance access to premium vintages and, Jacks says, “something a bit more special than your standard $20 winery tour.”

A tour of the golf course reveals something a bit more special than your average 18-hole experience. The Dakota Ridge splits the layout, putting the first nine and last three holes to the west of it, while numbers 10-15 lurk on the hogback’s wildly rugged eastern side. The adventure begins on the far western edge of the property, where the first two holes—a par four and par five—only hint at the eye candy that follows. From the elevated tee on the par-four fourth, you get a clear view of the Denver skyline, as well as a peek at the peaks to the northwest and the aerospace activities at the Lockheed Martin plant.

Throughout the round, the red rocks take on familiar formations—a submarine sandwich beckons from behind the water-fronted, par-three sixth; a scrum of spectators overlooks the par-four seventh green; a whale floats behind the reachable par-four 17th. The par-three 16th—perhaps the course’s wildest hole—forces you to carry a 50-foot-deep ravine twice—first with your tee shot, then with your cart, as you traverse a suspension bridge. The finishing hole, a 602-yard par five, leads you straight into the ornate, 37,000-square-foot clubhouse perched at the edge of a steep ravine overlooking the 18th green.

Ravenna’s 246 homesites ($300,000-$900,000 per lot) appear on only one side of any hole. Each lot gives residents a view of the course, open space or both. Herds of whitetail deer meander through the property, nibbling the wildflowers and meadow grass.

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” These famous words, inscribed over the gates of hell in Dante’s Inferno, could also have applied to Ravenna, as Jacks tried for years to develop the property despite various forms of opposition and red tape. He persevered through the prolonged purgatory all developers go through. He never wavered from his idea of creating a community that inspired its residents the way the Italian Ravenna did. The result is a form of paradise that Dante, who himself may have played an early variation of golf called paganica, would enjoy.

Jon Rizzi is editor of Colorado AvidGolfer.

The Golf Club at Ravenna
1118 Caretaker Rd., Littleton
720-956-1600
ravennagolf.com
Initiation:
Monthly Dues:

Tees/Yardage
Black/7,263
Gold/6,872
Forest/6,548
Umber/5,654
Sage/5,009