5 Reasons to Love Colorado Springs Golf
Popular Metropolis is an Annual Must-Play Destination
To those who know The Broadmoor, it’s no surprise that the superlative Colorado Springs landmark beat out Oregon’s vaunted Bandon Dunes as Golf magazine’s best golf resort in America in 2014. The five-star destination offers a litany of amenities, services and recreational delights including 54 holes of explosive golf, most notably the East Course, host of the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2008 U.S. Senior Open.
Breathtaking backdrops and smile-inducing memories are very much part and parcel to the Colorado Springs golf experience. It starts with a well-deserved nod for The Broadmoor, followed closely by stalwart properties like Cheyenne Mountain Resort and The Club at Flying Horse, and perennial favorites like Garden of the Gods Resort and historic Patty Jewett Golf Course.
What’s up with Colorado Springs? Here are five reasons why this burgeoning metropolis is a swashbuckling, every year must-play:
1. The Broadmoor is world-renowned for its peerless guest facilities and services. Since its purchase in 2011 by entrepreneurial billionaire Philip Anschutz, the 96-year-old property has undergone impressive hotel and restaurant renovations, plus significant upgrades have been made to the three championship-caliber courses designed by Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Nicklaus. broadmoor.com
2. Cheyenne Mountain Resort’s 18-hole Pete Dye-designed golf course—The Country Club of Colorado—anchors a sensational guest amenities package that includes 316 finely appointed guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, spa, indoor/outdoor tennis, aquatics facility, kids camp and fitness center. A 2013 golf-course upgrade by Rick Phelps followed a $20 million property renovation three years ago. For relaxing vacations, meetings, reunions, weddings and socializing, this Rocky Mountain retreat is ideal. cheyennemountain.com
3. The Club at Flying Horse is Colorado Springs’ premier private golf community, featuring an award-winning clubhouse, Euro-styled athletic club and spa, and homes crafted by some of the area’s most distinctive builders. In addition, the immaculate, members-only golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf offers country club living options regarded among the best in the state. flyinghorsecolorado.com
4. Garden of the Gods Club and Resort offers the best of both worlds—an elegant private country club as well as a luxurious golf resort with amenities open to the public. The 63-year-old property also features 27 holes of golf, fine dining, swimming, tennis, and fitness center, plus stunning views of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods National Landmark. gardenofthegodsclub.com
5. Patty Jewett Golf Course is among the oldest and best municipal courses west of the Mississippi. Designed in 1898 by Willie Campbell—the Scottish architect who orchestrated The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.—the history-steeped layout should be on every avid golfer’s must-play list. Bonus: the $30 18-hole weekend rate. springsgov.com
RELATED LINKS
Where to Stay, Play and Eat in Colorado Springs
Seven Reasons to Visit Colorado Springs
Colorado Travel Bucket List (Part 2)
Durango resident Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.
