Wellshire Golf: A Century of Challenge

The city will host a tournament at the course to recognize its 100th anniversary

Three years ago a friend and I walked to the first wall. Wellshire Golf Course, off of Colorado Boutee at Denver’s Wellshire Golf Course for the first levard south of Denver’s downtown, is turning time. 100 this year and shows no sign of slowing down. And the city of Denver has big plans to celebrate There was a little sign just before the bridge to it. the first tee which stated ‘If you can drive the ball 250 yards, hit from the back tees.’

My friend and I, both in our late 50s, were not big hitters but that was within our range. So we headed back to the tips. It was somewhere on the back nine, after our fourth par 4 that played longer than 450 yards, did we peek out of the crater that was our round at the smoking wreckage around us. “OK. What just happened?!”

What happened It is one of Colorado’s three courses designed by Donald Ross – the Scottish golf architect known worldwide for his turtle-back greens that are the defense of the course. The course started out as Wellshire Country Club in 1924. The club closed in 1928 and the city of Denver bought the property for $60,000 in 1936, making it one of the best public courses available in the region.

The club’s original Tudor-style clubhouse still stands, offering banquet space, a pub and pro shop today. Over the decades, Wellshire hosted the 21st playing at a par 70, taking two more pelts for its USGA Amateur Public Links Championship in 1946 and the Denver Open in 1948, where Ben Hogan claimed his sixth consecutive tour victory with Dwight D. Eisenhower watching from the gallery. The Denver Open returned in 1958, featuring Arnold Palmer tying for third.

In 1959, history was made when Bill Wright became the first African American to win a major national tournament at Wellshire during the 34th USGA Public Links. What has allowed Wellshire to endure isn’t just its pedigree, but its ability to remain relevant to generations of golfers who walk its fairways. There’s a rhythm to the place, a sense that every round is part of something bigger than a single scorecard.

The subtle movement in the greens, the strategic bunkering, and the way the course asks players to think rather than overpower it all was one of Colorado’s oldest public courses reflect Donald Ross’s timeless philosophy.

For many Denver golfers, Wellshire is more than a course-it’s a rite of passage. It’s where beginners learn hard lessons, where seasoned players are reminded not to get too comfortable, and where history quietly lingers in every step from tee to green. Early morning tee times bring long shadows across the fairways, while summer afternoons carry the familiar hum of a busy municipal track, full of players chasing something scores, memories, or both.

The city’s stewardship has ensured that while the game evolves, Wellshire’s character remains intact. Generations have come and gone, equipment has changed, and distances have stretched, yet the course continues to ask the same questions it always has. It rewards patience, precision, and respect-qualities that never go out of style.

Round after round, decade after decade, Wellshire quietly builds its legacy-not through spectacle, but through the simple, enduring challenge of the game itself. As it enters its second century, Wellshire doesn’t just celebrate its past-it continues to challenge, inspire, and humble everyone who takes it on.

To celebrate the course and its history the city of Denver is hosting a summerlong celebration with course specials and events. Among the events, the course will host the 83rd Wellshire Four-Ball over Labor Day weekend – the longest-running continuous tournament in Colorado. The competition pits two-person teams against each other over 54 holes.

The weekend of June 5 the city will host a tournament at the course and open house to recognize its 100th Anniversary.