Private Club Guide – 2026

The amenities arms race continues

By Jim Bebbington

Colorado’s private golf clubs continue to evolve to keep pace with the changing interests of their members – and the members they hope to attract. Colorado AvidGolfer annual survey of private club operators found that across the state clubs continue to add amenities and re-invest in their golf courses in order to attract and keep members. And as the golf boom has taken root in the gigantic millennial generation – who are also having kids now – the biggest niche that many are aiming for is that of ‘family-friendly club.’

Many clubs have added members in recent years some are steering funding to make long-needed golf course or building updates. Initiation fees and monthly dues have risen nearly across the board at all Colorado clubs, and several have raised their golf-capacity numbers in order to avoid having to create a waitlist.

The balancing act that club operators must walk is delicate. Current members want nice amenities – and many clearly are willing to pay thousands a month for them. But they do not want a club that becomes so crowded that they can’t get a tee time or reservations for dinner when they want.

It was just a few years ago that the most-elite Colorado clubs – Castle Pines Golf Club and Cherry Hills Country Club – poured tens of millions. At Pinehurst Country Club, the club has embarked on a two-year pool replacement project that General Manager Trey Bayliss said is intended to create “the best pool in the Denver metro area.” That project is slated to be completed in time for summer, 2027, and will update the pool food options as well. In addition the club, which has 27-holes of golf available, is going to renovate the entire course, one nine-hole segment at a time.

Across town at Glenmoor Country Club a year-long $35 million renovation of the clubhouse is on track to be completed later this year to go along with a full upgrade of its aquatics area that took place two years ago. The Club at Rolling Hills is among many that have installed special golf simulator lounges, some with dedicated bars and comfy seats. No club can stand still, it seems. At Grand Junction’s Bookcliff Country Club they added a nice outdoor fire pit near the pool. Pueblo Country Club renovated its pool and added new tee boxes. Meridian Golf Club in Englewood doubled the size of its golf practice area. Lakewood Country Club did a bunker overhaul.

Fort Collins Country Club invested $3.2 million renovating the golf shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms, adding saunas to both. Ptarmigan Country Club in Fort Collins recently renovated all the bunkers on their course and modernized the clubhouse dining area, and in 2026 is eyeing replacing all the bridges on the course, replastering the pool and updating their post-round eatery, the Bear’s Den Grille.

“We are incredibly pleased with the transformation accomplished thus far,” said Ptarmigan’s membership director, Kelly Misuraca.

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