Golf Orgy: Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland

Where Colorado golf finds its true north

Chris Duthie

Less than an hour’s drive north of Denver, the tri-cities of Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland are a sun-splashed smorgasbord for avid golfers. Only five of the region’s 19 courses are private, leaving the bulk open to public play. Plus, the off-course distractions are just as copious and resplendent. Take a look:

Fort Collins

Home to Colorado State University, New Belgium Brewery, a glorious historic downtown and minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, vibrant Fort Collins is the ideal escape for vacationers who enjoy enhancing their trip itineraries with outstanding recreation and a bounty of events and festivals.

    Highland Meadows, Windsor

Golf is both abundant and first class, as evinced by Harmony Golf Club (private, designed by Jim Engh), Ptarmigan Country Club (private, Jack Nicklaus) and several public courses including highly regarded Collindale and SouthRidge (both crafted by Frank Hummel) and short-course gems City Park Nine, Links N Greens and Mountain Vista Greens. Plus, in nearby Windsor are Highland Meadows (Art Schaupeter) and the CAGGY award-winning Pelican Lakes (27 holes by Ted Robinson and Mike Hines).

    Pelican Lakes

For some exceptional road biking, hook up with Beer & Bike Tours for multi-day rides and generous brakes at some of the area’s nine breweries; go hiking, horseback riding and water recreating, especially around 2,711-acre Horsetooth Mountain Open Space; and go explore some impressive cultural attractions like the Fort Collins Symphony, Lincoln Center and the Museum of Discovery.

Come up for the 16^th annual Sustainable Living Fair and its 150 exhibitors, 50 workshops, live music and entertainment, a “real food” market and locally produced libations (Sept. 12-13; $10 admission; kids under 12 free). Fall and beer translate to FORToberfest with locally crafted beer, food and music (Sept. 18-19). And even more fun awaits at the Fort Collins Fall Fest, featuring visual art, handmade crafts, food and beverages, and live music (Oct. 17-18; free admission).

Greeley

    Highland Hills, Greeley

Celebrated author James A. Michener earned his master’s degree from Northern Colorado University, but leave your traveling copy of Centennial behind and go play the private J. Press Maxwell/Tom Bendelow-designed Greeley Country Club. Public golf purists will also enjoy Highland Hills (Frank Hummel), Boomerang Links (William Neff) and Mad Russian Golf & Country Club (in nearby Milliken), famous for its club-wielding cossack logo.

Big ticket festivals include the Great Greeley Chalk-A-Lot, which will attempt to break into the Guinness Book of World Records with a two-mile-long continuous chalk drawing by 3,000 kids (Sept. 12); 28^th annual Potato Day at Centennial Village Museum’s living history demonstrations, live music, food (potatoes, absolutely) and kids activities (Sept. 12); and Oktobrewfest with beer, brats, games and a free concert (Oct. 2-3).

    Chalk-A-Lot, Greeley

Loveland

     Mariana Butte, Loveland

Before the snow flies, head to Loveland’s three public golf courses: award-winning Mariana Butte, crafted by Dick Phelps; The Olde Course at Loveland, routed by Henry Hughes; and Cattail Creek, which, in addition to a Phelps-designed 9-hole routing. offers a new S.N.A.G. friendly mini course designed especially for kids and beginners.

    S.N.A.G. at Loveland

Hot-rod aficionados will be out in force during the Goodguys 18^th Colorado Nationals featuring more than 2,000 street rods, customs, muscle cars and classics, plus vendor exhibits, live music, free kids entertainment and more (Sept. 11-13). And not to be outdone, Loveland hosts its own signature Oktoberfest with polka bands, costume contests, craft beers and kids activities (Sept. 18-19).

RELATED LINKS

2015 CAGGY Award Winners

Experience Pelican Lakes’ New Sports Grille

Back in the Loop: The Caddie Summit

Coming Soon: RainDance National in Windsor

Whatever Happened to The Golf Club at Fox Acres?

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.