Birdie Hunting on Colorado’s Northeastern Plains

This fall, why not add some golf to your quarry?

Ranked among the top 100 courses in the world by Golf Digest, Golf and Golfweek, Ballyneal Golf Club on Colorado’s northeastern plains is a minimalist masterpiece. The Tom Doak design ripples through the dunesy chop hills south of Holyoke, the undulations of its fairways shaped millions of years ago by the inland sea.

Since 2006, Ballyneal has offered a blissful respite for members and their guests. And, subject to availability, the club also takes reservations from avid golfers looking to experience its course, luxurious lodging and exquisite fare on a one-time visit (Sunday through Thursday only).

Even if you’re not up for the pilgrimage, Ballyneal is not the only attraction in the region. Here’s a five-star sampling to tempt your city-escape proclivities:

With fall hunting for waterfowl, pheasant and deer almost here, a multi-sport trip to Sterling is a go. The town offers two public golf opportunities—6,436-yard Northeastern 18 (pictured above, formerly known as Sterling Country Club), designed by Henry Hughes; and the 6,524-yard Riverview Golf Course, designed by Val Heim. Adding to Sterling’s attraction is neighboring Pawnee National Grassland, 193,000 acres of wild expanse that nourishes migrating birds, pronghorn antelope, fox and hawks. This naturalist’s haven is also prized for its star-filled night skies.

Also on the Interstate 76 are two stop-and-play courses: the Hughes/Frank Hummel-designed Quail Dunes in Ft. Morgan, a 6,600-yard routing that nourished the talents of the young Dale Douglass and has earned Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary status; and the Hummel-crafted Bunker Hill, a 3,161-yard nine-hole challenge in Brush, where Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Carol Flenniken still plays. While in Fort Morgan, fulfill a bucket list craving by jumping out of “a perfectly good airplane” with Skydive Empire.

In Limon is another Hughes-crafted jewel, 3,023-yard Tamarack Golf Course, ranked among the better 9-hole courses in the state and well worth the $23 double-loop green fee. A bit further east on I-70 is Stratton Golf Course, a 3,433-yard 9-hole track that also bears the classic-design elements of architect Frank Hummel.

Stay on I-70 and go play Burlington’s 9-hole Prairie Pines Golf Club, a 2,937-yard layout with a $30 weekend greens fee. This Halloween (Oct. 24), bring the kids to Burlington’s 21-building Old Town for mostly free “ghost town” thrills and chills, including the event’s infamous Haunted House ($5 entrance) and a planned Coffin Run Race down 14th Street. Burlington is also legendary for the Kit Carson County Carousel.

For a touchstone taste of this historic region, attend the 35th Annual Antique Machinery & Threshers Show in Yuma (Sept. 11-13). In addition to twice-daily threshing demonstrations, the event will offer old time music, trick roping, prize-winning draft horse and tractor pulls, and a Parade of Power on Old Town’s Main Street.

RELATED LINKS

2015 CAGGY Private Club Winners

A Sterling Education

Ballyneal’s Fresh Start

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.

GET COLORADO GOLF NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX