Spectacular Grand Junction is a Springtime Enticement

 By Chris Duthie

Toasty, farmer’s tan weather has returned to Colorado’s Western Slope, offering sun-worshiping golfers a renewed opportunity to oil-up their winterized swings and enjoy some relaxed and rewarding recreation.

That’s especially true in high desert Grand Junction, where daytime temperatures are back in the 80s and the area’s six Colorado National Monument back-dropped courses are off to a fast start following a milder-than-usual winter and spring.

“We were actually open nearly every day this winter,” says Joe Toke, the longtime general manager

of 27-hole Adobe Creek National. “Spring has been warm and dry as well, but because we have year-round access to river irrigation water, the course is in great condition and we’re really enjoying the season.”

Those sentiments are echoed at the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, an inspired Jim Engh design that earned a No. 1 Reader’s Choice Award (Best Western Slope Course) during the 2017 CAGGY voting campaign, repeated as the state’s top public course by Golfweek, and is ranked Colorado’s 17^th best public or private venue by Golf Digest.

“We’re going gangbusters over here,” says general manager and PGA member Shad Johnson. “The golf course again is in perfect shape. Plus, we rebranded and updated the clubhouse restaurant, which is now managed by the same great company that manages Warehouse 25sixty-five, Grand Junction’s celebrated kitchen, bar and live event venue.”

Other courses very much worth playing include nine-hole Lincoln Park, historic Tiara Rado, executive length Chipeta, and members-only Bookcliff Country Club.

GJ’s outdoor attractions don’t stop there. The world-class recreation includes mountain biking the awesome single-tracks within Colorado National Monument; road biking the 28-mile Colorado Riverfront Trail; rafting, kayaking, jet boating and fishing on the Colorado River; off-road adventuring in Bangs Canyon and Rabbit Valley Recreation Area; digging for dinosaur fossils at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry; and touring the area’s 23 wineries.

While here, plan on attending the Off-Road and Downtown Music Festival (May 19-21); 60^th Annual Junior College World Series (May 27-June 3); Colorado Special Olympics Summer Games (June 9-11); and Country Jam, the major outdoor concert featuring headliners Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and others (June 15-18).

Grand Junction is located about 240 miles west of Denver via I-70. For more about this enticing Western Slope destination, go online to visitgrandjunction.com.

What are your favorite memories of Grand Junction? Share your comments below.

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer. Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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2017 CAGGYs: Public and Resort Winners

Grand Junction’s Reds, Whites and Greens

Tons of Golf, Plenty of Fun