Courses Swamped After Spring Rains

Some areas of metro Denver reporting more than 5 inches of rain

by Jim Bebbington

The heavy rains that deluged the front range this week flooded several golf courses and forced some to briefly shut-down or postpone play one parts of their courses.

CommonGround golf course, on Denver’s east side, sent out notices Tuesday that several of their holes remained under water after this weekend’s rains. Play is restricted to 9-holes until the water drains off. The low-lying course has flooded holes No. 5, 11 and 12 and made some greens and tee boxes difficult to reach because paths were under water.

The course notified players that they were open for 9-hole rounds early this week and players wanted to play 18 should call ahead to check on conditions. The course expects to have modified conditions at least for one more week.

“Thank you for your patience as we make the best out of our current situation,” the Director of Golf Operations, Ben Pennymon, said in an e-mail to players.

Denver’s CityPark Golf Course is also specifically designed to be a water retention area on the back nine, and that certainly appears to work. A creek at the bottom of holes No. 13 and 14 stores water during heavy rains in order to take pressure off nearby neighborhoods and Interstate 70.

The holes have been closed since this weekend’s rains.

Heavy rains began Thursday, May 11 and several areas received between 1 and 3 inches of rain by the end of Saturday. Persistent drizzling continued through Monday afternoon. Much of the region has received nearly 5 inches of rain for the month already. The forecast for the region predicts even more rain for Thursday and Friday, then a dry weekend.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine 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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