High Tee: Granby, Grand Lake and Winter Park

Colorado AvidGolfer

Considered one of the classic mountain golf experiences, Pole Creek Golf Club (pictured above) comprises 27 holes on three distinct courses: The Ranch, Meadow and the newer Ridge. The Ranch and Meadow nines, designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby, wander through lush fields, while the Denis Griffiths-designed Ridge showcases views of the Indian Peaks and Continental Divide.

No Pines, No Problem

If you haven’t played Grand Lake Golf Course since the early part of this century, you won’t recognize it today. Hailed for decades as a one-of-a-kind gem carved out of a Rocky Mountain lodgepole forest, the 50-year-old course lost more than 100,000 trees during the pine-beetle infestation of the last decade, reincarnating the tree-lined layout as a links-like circuit. It looks and plays differently now, with fewer frost delays and better turf and greens because of the added sun exposure. Is it a better course now or before? Go play it and judge for yourself.

On the Tee

Golf Granby Ranch has had many names over the years, but people still call the 7,260-yard layout one of the region’s best, thanks to a renovation by Nicklaus Design and the natural flow of lakes and ponds throughout the property.

Pole Creek Golf Club has sustained its excellence since being named one of Golf Digest’s best new courses of 1985. It is an annual fixture on “Best in State” lists and has won two consecutive CAGGYs for Best Mountain Course.

Grand Elk Golf Club reflects the vision of Tripp Davis and Craig Stadler, who drew Inspiration from Gleneagles and the heathland courses of the British Isles, using the rugged, rolling terrain to influence shotmaking.

School’s Open

John Jacobs’ Golf Schools and Academies debuted its fourteenth location in a grand opening ceremony at Grand Elk Golf Club last month. “Colorado has always been among our students’ favorite destinations,” said Shelby Futch, president and CEO of John Jacobs. “This property in Granby is certain to be among them.”

Elk Season Comes Early

When Koelbel and Company purchased the majority of the remaining homesites in the second-home golf course community of Grand Elk, the visionary Colorado developer immediately reenergized the property. Located only 90 miles from Denver and a short distance from Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Elk features affordable cabins and custom-home sites on a championship course just minutes from the resort amenities of Winter Park, the water sports of Lake Granby, miles of hiking and biking trails, and world-class fly-fishing on the nearby headwaters of the Fraser and Colorado Rivers. Koelbel will debut its stunning new model home golf villas this month. Starting at $358,000, the two- and three-bedroom homes feature open floor plans measuring 1,500 square feet and up. Each home includes charming and sizable outdoor living spaces for entertaining, relaxing and savoring what makes Colorado Colorado.

For more information, call 970-726-8200 or visit koelbelatgrandelk.com.

FEATURED COURSES

Golf Granby Ranch
Granby
970-887-2709; granbyranch.com

Grand Elk Golf Club
Granby
970-887-9122; grandelk.com

Grand Lake Golf Course
Grand Lake
970-627-8008; grandlakerecreation.com/golf

Pole Creek Golf Club
Winter Park
970-887-9195; polecreekgolf.com

FEATURED ROOM AND BOARD LOCATIONS

Inn at SilverCreek
Granby
970 887-2131; innatsilvercreek.com

Grand Lake Lodge
Grand Lake
970-627-3967; grandlakelodge.com

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa
Soak in the healing waters in one of this resort’s 21 pools west of Granby.
970-725-3306; hotsulphursprings.com

Maverick’s Grille
Granby
970-887-9000; mavericksgrille.com

Fontenot’s Fresh Seafood & Grill
Winter Park
970-726-4021; fontenotswp.com

RELATED LINKS

Fore! in the Four Corners: Durango and Gunnison

Where to Tee it Up in Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta

Crank Up the Adventure in Grand County

Colorado AvidGolfer is 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.