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Kyle Henderson

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Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (18th hole posted)
« on: November 13, 2010, 03:51:31 PM »
Pssst: The Short Course pictorial is here: http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45694.0/



The Colorado Golf Club’s 18-hole course begins with a brawny par 5 that ranges from 504-653 yards. Mind you, the mile-high elevation and firm turf render the hole much less difficult than it would seem on paper.


From the back tees, the target for the opening shot is obscured.

However, from the front tees, players are afforded a much clearer target.


The fairway is tilted left, but don’t lost your tee shot too far right, lest ye be bunker bound or worse. The native areas do commonly conceal the final resting place of misplayed swipes.


Some care must be taken with the second shot, despite the generous playing corridor, as a layup pulled left may yield the dreaded long bunker shot for one’s third. Those going for the green in two can aim a bit right and short of the green, as the fairway feeds onto the surface from that corner.


Looking back, one can perceive that the right side of the green is openly integrated with the fairway. However, shots that hang up on this side will leave dicey recovery shots to a quick green that slopes away. Also note that the green is over 40 paces from front-to-back.

« Last Edit: December 04, 2010, 01:07:02 PM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Joe Bausch

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2010, 06:43:21 PM »
More please.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2010, 12:34:04 PM »
A bit more for the birthday boy !!!

The 2nd hole is a short par 3 measuring between 84-154 yards. It features a green that is 25 paces deep and slopes from back-to-front and right-to-left along the axis of play. The only semi-safe place to miss is short left, as the other sides are bunkered and the rear portion of the green is narrower than the front. Given fast surfaces, the putting contours will make any shot greater than a few feet in length very testing.

« Last Edit: November 14, 2010, 01:00:26 PM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Lynn_Shackelford

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (2nd hole posted)
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2010, 08:36:47 PM »
2nd hole looks like an inspiration from the 2nd at Prairie Dunes.
It must be kept in mind that the elusive charm of the game suffers as soon as any successful method of standardization is allowed to creep in.  A golf course should never pretend to be, nor is intended to be, an infallible tribunal.
               Tom Simpson

RJ_Daley

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (2nd hole posted)
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2010, 08:53:47 PM »
The mowing lines are offputting, and particularly take away from the neat groundlevel transition to the green on 1 front right. 

The tee shot looks like what ANGC 12 seems like on TV, but I'm sure there is no hourglass sort of green shape.  I looks like a snappy little par 3 however. 
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (2nd hole posted)
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2010, 12:26:47 AM »
The mowing lines are offputting, and particularly take away from the neat groundlevel transition to the green on 1 front right. 

The tee shot looks like what ANGC 12 seems like on TV, but I'm sure there is no hourglass sort of green shape.  I looks like a snappy little par 3 however. 

The mowing lines were definitely unsightly on several different holes, but no where near as bad as during the Senior PGA Championship a couple of months before these photos were taken. Then, the rough bordering the fairways appeared to fill up more of the playing corridors than the remaining short cut! What's worse, I was told the rough was so thick it required most amateurs to pitch out sideways. Thankfully things are returning to "normal."

There are still a few mowing lines that need to be softened considerably, as you'll see later in the round.
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Mark McKeever

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (2nd hole posted)
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2010, 10:26:24 AM »
Thanks for sharing!  Looking forward to the rest of them!

Mark
Best MGA showers - Bayonne

"Dude, he's a total d***"

Wayne Wiggins, Jr.

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2010, 01:15:49 PM »
A bit more for the birthday boy !!!

The 2nd hole is a short par 3 measuring between 84-154 yards. It features a green that is 25 paces deep and slopes from back-to-front and right-to-left along the axis of play. The only semi-safe place to miss is short left, as the other sides are bunkered and the rear portion of the green is narrower than the front. Given fast surfaces, the putting contours will make any shot greater than a few feet in length very testing.



Kyle - I seem to recall, this green featured a pretty substantial shelf in the back-middle of this green, and even though it's a short hole, if that pin is on top of that shelf getting your tee shot close, if not on the shelf, is quite difficult, and thus leads to a very tough 2 putt. 

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2010, 03:44:44 PM »
Kyle - I seem to recall, this green featured a pretty substantial shelf in the back-middle of this green, and even though it's a short hole, if that pin is on top of that shelf getting your tee shot close, if not on the shelf, is quite difficult, and thus leads to a very tough 2 putt. 

The rear shelf certianly plays havoc when the greens roll quickly, but I don't recall it being raised more than 18 inches or so from the front section.
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (3rd hole posted)
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2010, 03:45:17 PM »
The 3rd hole (276-428 yards) struck me as an interesting routing solution to a difficult section of the property. I’m curious to learn if anyone in the tree house has played a similar hole elsewhere.

Much like the 1st hole, from the back tees the fairway is barely visible yet one is able to discern its leftward camber.


The green is also visible from the back tees and seems tantalizingly close down the left side. Stay right.


This view afforded from the high, right side illustrates the dramatic tilt of the fairway.


Fairway bunkers along the left side are poised to capture poorly-shaped shots. The longer the club one selects, the farther right one must aim to stay in the fairway, for it is angled a bit to starboard and narrows as it progresses.


Here is a closer look at the fairway bunkering and the dry wash that must be carried with the approach. The right greenside bunker is deeper than it appears and another sandy chasm is hidden behind the putting surface.

"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Wayne Wiggins, Jr.

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2010, 06:14:10 PM »
Kyle - I seem to recall, this green featured a pretty substantial shelf in the back-middle of this green, and even though it's a short hole, if that pin is on top of that shelf getting your tee shot close, if not on the shelf, is quite difficult, and thus leads to a very tough 2 putt. 

The rear shelf certianly plays havoc when the greens roll quickly, but I don't recall it being raised more than 18 inches or so from the front section.

You're probably right -- 18".  Yet, add in the back to front tilt in the green and that putt (especially the first time playing it) has to be struck very firmly.  I remember very vividly 3-putting it from less that 20 ft, because i was on that lower shelf.

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (4th hole posted)
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2010, 12:13:16 PM »
The 4th hole  (par 4 328-500 yards) occupies the flattest portion of the property.

These first twp bunkers down the left side of the landing zone are relatively benign and a drive carrying 280 yards can clear the second trap from the tips.


However this bunker, which is partially hidden from the landing zone, can be found with a drive of 360 yards from the tips (190 from the front tees) and is obviously quite penal when seen from up close. Ahead, the green slopes from right to left, allowing long approaches to chase on from the starboard side while favoring short approaches and putts played from portside of the pin. The green is more than 40 paces deep and 20 paces wide.

"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

RJ_Daley

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (4th hole posted)
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2010, 12:53:31 PM »
Heck of a 3rd hole... I wonder if those crafty little turf tongues and turf wart islands will last over much time in that FW bunker on last pic?
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (5th hole posted)
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2010, 01:30:41 PM »
The 5th hole (358-479 yards, par 4) plays in the same direction as the 4th on the most mundane portion of the property. Two complete sets of tee boxes (5 teeing grounds in each) occupy opposite sides of the barranca that borders the port side of the hole, offering alternate angles of play from one day to the next.


This view from the right hand tees peers over a short carry bunker to the expansive fairway. Six bunkers (three are pictured) run along the left side of the fairway, the last of which is 150 yards short of the green.



A left/front view of the green reveals the options available for one’s approach shot: 1) A high draw that skirts the front/right bunker 2) a fade that circumvents the right/front bunker 3) a layup short of the right/front bunker for mortals playing for bogey 4) a shot played to the back left fringe for the easiest up and down.

Note the nasty false front protecting this day's pin position.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2010, 01:36:51 PM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2010, 03:06:31 PM »
The second par 3 is found at the 6th hole (170-251 yards), which plays downhill to green that is roughly 30 paces wide, 45 paces deep and angled slightly from right to left.



A generous fairway leads up to the green and encloses a large mound at the right front. This mound may be employed to kick shots onto the green for those wary of the left-side bunkering, but shots that carry the mound face grave peril.

"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Adam Clayman

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #15 on: November 18, 2010, 06:58:26 PM »
I've played here a couple of times. The first hole is somewhat reminiscent of Spyglass' opener due to it's sweeping boomerang downhill nature. The green is much more receptive to Spy's , and is a nice start. The second exudes Prairie Dunes as does a few other C&C par 3's holes on other courses. I figure if a hole gets compared to that hole, It ain't a bad hole.

 The third is a bit of a problem for me. As Kyle points out it transitions the course through the dry wash, which reminded me of what The Rive must've been like before the Army corp came in. The reason the third is problematic is the combo of the canted fairway and the island like green. It's an awkward shot, and there's just not enough room for recovery with only a slight miss.

The holes on the flats are the most well done holes. They exemplify C&C's adherence to Thomas' principles of not building features that would've flowed against the natural flow of the property.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 09:26:10 AM by Adam Clayman »
"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

Peter Zarlengo

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #16 on: November 18, 2010, 07:56:22 PM »
The holes on the flats are the most well done holes. They exemplify C&C's adherence to Thomas' principles of not building features that would've flowed against the natural flow of the property.

Adam,

I agree that the "dug-in" bunkers of the 4th, 5th, and 6th holes, along with a few others around the course, tend to look better than if bunkers were "cut out" of built up slopes.

Kyle,

Thanks for the photo tour. It's a nice trip down memory lane for me, as I spent a few months there helping finish and grow-in the course in the summer of 2006. Having spent a lot of time there, some post-opening, I think there's lots of things Colorado GC gets right. The short grass transition between the rolling 6th green and well positioned 7th tee in the last picture is one of them. The huge house looming large in the background behind it is not.

Adam Russell

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #17 on: November 18, 2010, 08:06:25 PM »
I still say meh...your finish work aside. I thought some holes, although good as individual pieces, were awkward in the overall routing. Kinda like a nudge from someone else telling you "hey, we need this to hold up to a major championship". But in my defense, the course could never be as spectacular as our car crash, so maybe I need to give it another chance...
The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life's most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the sick and occasionally raise the dead, is to put rum or bourbon in it.” -Lewis Grizzard

Ian Andrew

Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #18 on: November 18, 2010, 08:15:17 PM »
I was really impressed by the opening set of holes.

I played Prairie Dunes just before going to Colorado and they did a nice job of re-creating the feel (in particular with the green) of the 2nd hole at PD. The hole was tough as nails but fun to play. That was by far my favourite three.

I was particularly enamored with the 5th green and was perplexed that the club was apparently (according to our caddie) considering rebuilding the green. It was one of my favourite of the course and the aspect that really set this hole up as one of the finer holes I had seen recently. I always appreciate how well they tuck green sites into a hollow.

I’m really curious to get involved with the discussion of the final stretch of four.


Adam Russell

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #19 on: November 18, 2010, 08:31:00 PM »
Same here Ian - I think the course is fascinating to discuss because it has spectacular hits and what I felt were some misses in the design.
The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life's most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the sick and occasionally raise the dead, is to put rum or bourbon in it.” -Lewis Grizzard

Peter Zarlengo

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #20 on: November 18, 2010, 08:55:57 PM »
Adam,

I'm still surprised we made it there at all, as long as it took for that whole scene to play out. And I'm even more surprised my directionally impaired sister made it out there to pick us up, otherwise we would have had to find an establishment even classier than the Golden Plains to stay the night in Parker.

But I think you're on to something when you talk about spectacular. Colorado GC is definitely at it's best when it's not trying to be too spectacular and just letting the interesting piece of ground it sits on do the talking. That may be why so many people I talk to about the course say their favorite holes are the ones through the flats (3,4,5,6,7,12) or the simpler ones through the pines (9,10).

Ian,

I'm still unsure if I prefer #2 or #6. Either way, they offer a nice balance between: 1) grand and intimate scale, 2) long and short, and 3) probably the largest and smallest greens on the course.

Mike_Young

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #21 on: November 18, 2010, 09:08:32 PM »
I thought the overall experience was very good....I thought the golf course was very good....I agree with Ian as to the 5th green...why change it?  #2 was also very good as were 12 and 14....
I stayed there for one nite and also played the short course....mucho fun....
Oh yea....I played with Ian....he really eats at the turn....I think he liked the chicken salad more than the course..... ;D
"just standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"

Adam Russell

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #22 on: November 18, 2010, 11:43:37 PM »
Pete,

Forgot about your sister. Hah, good times...

It was a cool course for me to think about. I think it's so easy to overdue simple and good with a site like that, and that's why I think some of the flat parts are the best as well. But then there's also #11, the par-3 - the green is unlike anything I've seen. So you've got subtle good and knock-out good, but you've also got awkward, like the way the place flows along the hills until #8, where it just goes straight uphill. A bad connector to me, and the green's a bit over the top for it's size. Same with the last few end holes.

But I think I'm with Mike Young in the end - there's too much good there. It sure would be a nice place to explore every day...
The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life's most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the sick and occasionally raise the dead, is to put rum or bourbon in it.” -Lewis Grizzard

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (6th hole posted)
« Reply #23 on: November 19, 2010, 01:07:19 PM »
It seems that the main ridgeline occupied by holes 1-3 and 8-10 offers ackward slopes at times. Overall, the course is very good, particularly the grand setting (which is unfortunately marred by the mammoth houses) and native flora. But there are a few holes that were simply overdone in my estimation and it's a surprisingly unfriendly walk for a C&C course. In some ways, I thought the design team took an unusually high numbers of "chances" in the design, which I applaude, but not all of them panned out to their usual high standards.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 06:23:29 PM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

Kyle Henderson

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Re: Colorado Golf Club: A Pictorial (7th hole posted)
« Reply #24 on: November 19, 2010, 01:07:35 PM »
Measuring between 443 & 583 yards in total, the par 5 7th hole presents the first true set of markedly different strategic options from tee to green.

From the back tees, the prominent fairway bunkers seem to dominate the line of play. The good new is that a large swath of short grass was placed short of the bunkers to give a wide berth to short-hitters and conservative strategists. The bad news is that the second shot is blind from this position and the required launch angle over the bunker’s lip may affect the subsequent shot(s).

Note the 7th green is positioned above the right edge of the prominent bunkers.



The left-most portion of the bunker complex requires a drive of around 320yards to carry from the back tees for those seeking the green in two. A drive of 285 or less will stop short of the sand. In the distance, the barranca featured at the 3rd hole must be crossed once more to reach the green.
 

Looking back from the left side of the 7th green, it is clear that the terrain compels most approach shots to release this way towards the only greenside bunker. Long approaches should therefore be played a bit to the right, a line that will also reduce the required carry.
 
« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 06:24:31 PM by Kyle Henderson »
"I always knew terrorists hated us for our freedom. Now they love us for our bondage." -- Stephen T. Colbert discusses the popularity of '50 Shades of Grey' at Gitmo

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