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YOUR TEXAS WINTER CLUB AWAITS Trade snow days for tee times. Set along the shores of Lake LBJ in Texas, The Club offers year-round golf, lake living, and Hill Country wine culture.
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On behalf of our entire team here at Colorado AvidGolfer, thank you for participating in the second annual Central Bank Cup at Ravenna Country Club! Your enthusiasm, camaraderie, and sportsmanship made the day truly special. We hope you enjoyed the beautiful course, great competition, and memorable moments shared with friends and colleagues. Your participation helps make this event a highlight of the year, and we're grateful for your continued support. Additionally, everyone's generosity helped raised more than $10,000 (which brings our total to $367,000) that will directly support the PGA Reach Colorado Foundation. Thank you!
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CONTENTS
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FALL2026
FEATURES
SPECIAL SECTION DEPARTMENTS
Three Coloradans showed what is possible by competing in the USGA's Adaptive Open. By Garrett Johnston
THE BEST OF NEVADA, UTAH AND ARIZONA Pg. 40 - Coyote Springs, Nevada Pg. 42 - Summerlin, Nevada Pg. 44 - Greater Zion, Utah Pg. 46 - Troon Arizona, Arizona Pg. 48 - We-Ko-Pa, Arizona Pg. 50 -Verrado, Arizona
ADAPTIVE GOLF//22
CAMPING 6 GOLF // 26
Colorado offers several perfect ways to combine pristine fall camping experiences with great courses nearby. ByDavidYoung
BLACK MAGIC // 32
The Black Desert Resort in Utah is adding on to its offerings while still anchored by a world-class golf course. By Jim Bebbington
ARIZONA'S HIDDEN GEM // 52 Tonto Verde is where desert beauty meets championship golf.
GREAT GOLF GETAWAYS
SIDE BETS
20// PINGS NEWEST PUTTER
PING's limited edition DZB putter is worth fighting for. By Tony Dear
8// FORETHOUGHTS
The options for great fall golf are more plentiful than ever. ByJim Bebbington
10//THECGA
People of the CGA - Laura Stuto. By Kayla Kerns
12// THE GALLERY
Neighbors of Eagle Trace Golf Course in Broomfield are working to save or replace the course; Construction begins on the Bluebird Club in Parker; Local executive takes new role with golf course management group.
56//BLINDSHOT
Boulder Country Club's longtime pro Kevin Bolles retires after 40 years.
By Jim Bebbington
ON THE COVER: Btac-k Desert Rllsorl in Urah. Photo by Brian Oar
4 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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FALL 2026
MEET OUR COLORADO
AVidGolfer FALL 2026 I VOLUME 25, NUMBER 6 coloradoavidgolfer.com
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Jenny Schultz, Credit Team Lead
PRESIDENT& GROUP PUBLISHER ALLENJ. WALTERS EDITOR JIM BEBBINGTON SALES, MARKETING & ADVERTISING VP OF SALES & MARKETING LORI PERRY VP OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & GOLF OP[RAIIOHS MICHAEL T. COLANDER DK,1TAL 6-IARKETING ASSISTANT CARSON GRIGGS ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS
MINDACARMANN BRAD BUTLER SALLY ARCHIBALD
Jenny is a Colorado native from Fort Collins and graduated from CSU
ART & EDITORIAL
(Go Rams!). She loves to travel but
Colorado's beautiful mountains, four
seasons, and unlimited activities will always be home. In her free time,
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Jenny enjoys cooking, reading,
spending time with her son and fur baby, and enjoys a
good CO microbrew on a patio. Jenny has been with
CREATIVE D IRECTOR CHRISDECONNA ARI DIRECTOR, AVIDLIFESTVLC MICHELLE M. GUTIERREZ CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL CIAGLO. TONY DEAR, KEVIN GREENUP, CHRIS DUTHIE, SCOTT GARDNER, TOM MACKIN, NICK MCQUEENEY, TED JOHNSON, GARRETT JOHNSTON, KIM MCHUGH.JAY MCKINNEY.JON RIZZI, CHRISTIAN MARCY-VEGA, JAMIE SIEBRASE, CHRIS WHEELER, DAVID YOUNG
Central Bank for 1 8 months. She loves the heart of the
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Jill joined Central Bank in the
spring, and brings a passion for relationship-driven
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She
believes the bank sets the gold standard for serving others, and she is proud to be part of a team
that puts relationships, trust, and community first. Jill has
called Colorado home most of her life. When she's not
working, she enjoys volunteering, spending time with her
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ColoradoA,1dGoller(ISSN )5411-43311 • published eigt,I h mesa year by Baker-Color1'ioPuhlohing, UC, a,d pn,ted byPoblicatiOllPrinters Coll). 9350 E. !rapalloeRoad 1110, Greeowood Village, CO 80112. Colorado AvidGolfer is available .-il more than 250 locatiollS, or you can order your p,,...,� subscription by calling 720-493-lm. Sllbsc,iptions are availabl<at Ille rat, 01$17.95 per year. C.pyri1ht� 2026 by Baker-t-OloradoPoblishing, llC. All rightsresemd. Reproduction w«hout permiss�n is prohibited. Postmaster: S.nd address cha�es to Co�rado !lidGoller, 9350 E. Arap�oe Road 1210, Greeowood Village, CO 80112. The�agazinew,lc001es editonal slbllissiomi btltassumes no respoosiblity fortlle safekeepllg or retunof urasolicited mnuscripts, pholograplas, arl"A·ork or otber matenal. MAGAZINE PAR TNER OF CHOICE: � COLORADO GOLF • ASSOCIATION
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There is a difference between playing golf in the late fall in Colorado and heading to courses in Ari zona or Nevada or Utah. We have begun to see golf become a 12-month sport here on the front range and a bit on the western slope, and for several years Coloradoans could reasonably plan on local rounds late into the holiday season. But many of us also find this is the best time to head to our warmer neighbors and enjoy courses that are coming into their season, rather than the other way around.
John Pavlakovich 'i'I
NMLSR ID: 807982 1:.1 • Executive Mortgage Consultant Cell: 720-308-2507 John.Pavlakovich@phmloans.com John Pavlakovich.phmloans.com 215 Saint Paul St, Denver, CO 80206
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#1 in Colorado by Experience.com
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2024 salute to the next generation ders in the mortgage indu
8 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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FALL 2026
Out Great Golf Getaways section always anchors our fall edition. This is because the courses and resorts we feature there we know are worth the trip. Many are courses that host Coloradans all winter - although typically at higher rates and much-more crowded tee sheets than they offer in the fall. But late fall some of our Desert Getaways loca tions can be a bargain-hunters paradise - fantas tic weather, good course conditions, and course access before the snowbirds flock in. We hope you come away from this section with some good ideas for your next trip. Closer to home, this edition also features a great article by Colorado-based writer David Young on the gorgeous experiences that come available right here at home to players who like to camp and golf. The golf is a no-brainer: we know there are plenty of courses throughout the state that show off like peacocks - exploding in color - in the fall.
But adding to that the sublime pleasures of camp fires and sunrise walks makes it very special. We also introduce readers to three of Colorado's best adaptive golfers. The USGA is serious about wanting to make the sport accessible to people with adaptive needs. Their Adaptive Open this August featured some of the best in the country, including three inspiring Coloradans. We also catch up with a growing attraction in southern Utah, the Black Desert Resort. In 20 years Black Desert will have been a favorite des tination for golfers and their families. But now is the time to visit as it is in the process of becoming what it can be. The iconic course is featured in a fall PGA Tour event, and the accommodations and amenities are being added each year. Check it out. We also have an important update on the efforts of a local community trying to do right by the pos sible closure of their local golf course. Residents near Eagle Trace Golf Club in Broomfield have been working for more than two years to raise money and come up with ideas for what can be done with the Eagle Trace course after it closes, this fall. This is an issue that has happened re cently before - residents near the Deer Creek Golf Course in Littleton have had to adjust to life next to a closed course as well. Course closures are com plicated events and if time has shown us anything it is that this won't be the last time this happens.
Jim Bebbington, Editor jim@coloradoavidgolfer.com
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PEOPLE OF THE CGA: LAURA STUTO BY KAYLA KERNS
KK: Who introduced you to golf, and what made you fall in love with the game? LS: I was first introduced to golf in college. I played field hockey, and the men's soccer coach encour aged us to try other things. One day he suggested going to the driving range, and I remember think ing, "This is so fun. I love this." When I moved to Colorado, I was playing squash at the Denver Athletic Club, and somebody rec ommended I take golf lessons from a female in structor at Green Valley Ranch. That happened to be Stef Ferguson. That's when I started taking golf more seriously.
After selling her commercial mortgage brokerage and retiring in 2017, Laura Stuto turned her at tention toward golf. She began playing in leagues, competing in CGA events and participating in the Pro-Am portion of the Colorado Women's Open. Stuto serves on the board and as Tournament Chair for the Saddle Rock Women's Golf Associ ation, Working Women's Golf League of Aurora (WWGL) and City Park Women's Golfers. She has served on the CommonGround Women's Golf Club (CGWGC) Board since 2019. She was the WWGL Club Champion in 2019 and CGWGC Club Cham pion in 2019 and 2023 and served as Head Girls Golf Coach at Denver North High School through fall 2025 and as Assistant Coach of Women's Golf at MSU Denver. KK: How would you describe yourself, and what brought you to Colorado? LS: A word that describes me is probably relent less - although tenacious is probably a better word. If something is important to me and I can see that it's going to make a difference, I'll continue to try and make it work. I grew up in Massachusetts, went to Clark University and then moved to Wash ington, D.C., where I met my someone. Eventually, we decided we were done with the East Coast life style. We put the house on the market, packed up the car and said, "Let's go west." We wound up in Colorado. I've always been a connector of people, too. I'm sort of the center of the wheel - "I know some body who does this. You should talk to this per son." That's always been my thing. 10 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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FALL 2026
Eventually, Stet moved to CommonGround, and I followed her there. One day I wandered into the pro shop and asked about the women's league. I joined, and that was the total turning point for me. I fell in love with playing and being outside, but I also fell in love with the community. If you play golf, you will eventually find a community. You'll find your people. KK: How did your involvement in golf eventually lead you to the CGA Board? LS: I used to play in a ton of CGA tournaments before I started coaching. Through those events and CommonGround, I started meeting CGA staff and rules officials. Our women's league also be came involved with the Solich Caddie & Leader ship Academy. We wanted our ladies to support the caddies and give them opportunities to work. Eventually, Ed Mate and I got to know each other through CommonGround and the different leagues I was involved with. KK: What has been most meaningful about your involvement in women's golf? LS: I think women need to feel like what they think matters. Even if the change they want isn't ulti mately made, somebody heard them and some body listened to them. I play with women who have great ideas, but when you ask if they want to volun teer, it can feel daunting. They might think, "I don't know enough," or "I'm not a good enough golfer." I want to do a better job of bringing people in and saying, "What if you just did this one project with me?" It's one person at a time. It takes work, but I think it's worth it. KK: What inspired you to get involved in coaching, and what did you enjoy most about it? LS: I had amazing coaches my whole life. Look-
ing back at how they talked to us, treated us and checked up on us- it was amazing. Sports made me who I am, without a doubt. At Denver North, I loved introducing kids to a sport many of them had never played before. At the college level, one of the best parts was watching players grow over four years, not only as golfers but as humans. I recently had dinner with one of my players who graduated three years ago. She still texts me when something happens at work that she's excited about because she knows we'll be happy for her. To me, that's one of the best parts. KK: What is your favorite golf memory or accom plishment? LS: Winning the Working Women's club champion ship was really special because it was unexpected. I was the total underdog, had a great day and shot 76. More recently, my goal was to get back to a sin gle-digit handicap after I stopped coaching. I didn't care if it was 9.9 - I wanted to do it. And I did. Golf is like a bad boyfriend. Things are really good, and then all of a sudden things go really bad. Then it gives you the slightest bit of what you want, and you keep going back because you know what you're capable of. Stef has also taught me not to become out come-focused. You can't control the outcome as much as you think you can. Control the process. KK: What advice would you give your younger self or the next generation? LS: Get involved. It doesn't have to be golf. Get involved and be present when you're involved. Don't do something just to check a box on your resume. Make it mean ingful. Make it mean something to you. If it doesn't, you've picked the wrong thing. Go find something else. You should want to talk about it. You should want to share it. It should resonate with you. Be passionate about it. Be loud about it. Be relent less. Be tenacious. Do something. Get involved. Volunteer. It doesn't matter what it is. It will change your life. ©
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THE GALLERY
Drying Out AS WATER DISAPPEARS, EAGLE TRACE RESIDENTS FIGHT TO SAVE THE LAND
On Oct. 3 Eagle Trace Golf Club in Broomfield closed after losing access to its source for irriga tion water, and residents from the neighborhood around the course are working to learn what the course's possible closure means to them and their property values. In 2024 the owner of Eagle Trace, a partnership headed up by a California-based attorney, sold the water rights that have irrigated the property to a local water investment group for $4 million. The deal gave Eagle Trace access to lease the water back, but just up to this November, when the taps would be turned off. Without a new source of water, the course turf will likely die, and neighborhood residents have been working for more than two years to try to either save the course or get a solution for the land that doesn't harm their homes. Residents around the golf course have formed a community development corporation to pursue options if the course closes.
The city of Broomfield has also increasingly become involved in the situation. City officials learned in 2023 that the water rights from Ea gle Trace were being offered for sale, but did not attempt to buy them because "Given the lack of immediate need for the water and the lack of existing available funds in the water enterprise (fund), staff determined that Broomfield would not be able to move forward with acquiring the water," according to a 2025 summary written by Broomfield's city manager to its council mem bers. But after the impact of the course and its two reservoirs closing came nearer, the city in July agreed to pay $500,000 to buy the two res ervoirs on the grounds of Eagle Trace Golf Club and associated water rights from Eagle Creek. But the city is doing that just so the reservoirs can continue to operate as part of the city's stormwater retention system, not to irrigate the golf course. "The primary purpose of this acquisition has always been to secure the reservoirs for stormwater management; any available wa-
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FALL 2026
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ter serves as an added benefit in years when hydrologic conditions allow," said Julie Story, Broomfield's Director of Communications and Engagement. According to a meeting synopsis emailed to Ea gle Trace neighborhood residents this summer, Broomfield City Manager Jennifer Hoffman and her staff met in July with the neighborhood task force about the fate of Eagle Trace Golf Club. "Hoffman addressed the group, stating that af ter a thorough review of the water rights sale and the highly restrictive terms surrounding potential solutions, the current owner 'has done the most possible damage one can do to a community,' "a meeting summary sent out by the neighborhood task force states. Broomfield staff reviewed several options with the group. They included: • The city buying Eagle Trace and running it as a golf course. Staff did not recommend this be cause it would cost the city between $15 million and $27 million to buy water license fees and perform the infrastructure updates necessary. It would then cost $1.1 million a year to run the course, something that the course operations would likely not be able to pay back. • Having another entity buy the course and run it. The costs there, the city estimated, would again be between $15 million and $27 million for the new buyer. • The city acquiring the land and reservoirs and converting the land to open space and trails over several years. The cost to the city would be be tween $6 million and $12 million over several years. • The city acquiring the land and converting it to open space with dry reservoirs. Costs to the city would be an estimated $9.5 million to $15.5 million. • The current owner retaining the property or selling to a developer. Any proposed develop ment would require a zoning change, as the land is all zoned as a golf course and considered part of the city's open space plan. "Of the five options reviewed onlyOption 3 - con verting the golf course to city-owned open space - was considered even somewhat feasible by city staff,'' the task force email to residents stated. This summer's drought has also exacerbated the situation, with nearly all reservoirs and retention basins low throughout the region. The city has
THE GALLERY
communicated that it is preparing to shore up the two reserves it has purchased but cannot guaran tee they will always be full. "CCOB (City and County of Broomfield) does not currently intend to fill or maintain water in the res ervoirs solely for aesthetic purposes," a city sum mary states. "This is consistent with how we are approaching ponds and water features throughout Broomfield during the current drought. Numerous (several hundred) ponds and water features within CCOB are experiencing very low water levels this year, and there is no plan to use municipal water supplies simply to keep them full." The Clear Creek water rights the city has purchased as part of the acquisition of the reservoirs would not be enough to allow for the continued operation of the golf course. "Providing and storing additional water for golf course irrigation would require additional water rights, legal processes, and infrastructure in vestment, currently estimated at approximately $1.5 million to $2 million," city documents state. "CCOB does not intend to undertake that invest ment for the privately owned golf course."
For the neighborhood task force, which has sought to keep the course open, the meeting was blunt. "Bottom line, CCOB is not coming to our rescue to save the golf course and City staff will be bring ing to the City Council their recommendation that CCOB not consider taking over Eagle Trace as a municipally owned course," the neighborhood memo states. The task force members are still working on other solutions, such as working with the city on a hybrid solution where some of the land is converted to open space with some is used for a redesigned short or executive course that uses less water. "This would significantly reduce water needs and may create a business scenario attractive enough for a private investor to lease the property from the city and create a smaller golf course," the task for memo said. A message request for comment to the owner of Eagle Trace was not responded to in time for this article's publication. ©
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THE GALLERY
A New Landscape COLORADO GOLF LEADER RACHEL CARTER TAKES HER EXPERIENCE NATIONWIDE
Her move to Landscapes builds on a career that has touched nearly every side of the golf business. Carter began her golf career in 1998 at Red Hawk Golf Club in Reno, Nevada, before spend ing six years with American Golf Corporation in a variety of operational and leadership positions. She later moved into the private-club world, holding leadership positions at La Jolla Country Club, The Santa Lucia Preserve and Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, where she served as assistant general manager of member services. Prior to joining the NGCOA in 2022, Carter also worked as a consultant and member specialist for RCS Hospitality, advising clubs on member ship, operations and the overall member expe rience. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Carter has also completed additional marketing education through Stanford's Graduate School of Business. She has previously been recognized by BoardRoom Magazine as one of the "Most In fluential Women in the Club Industry."
Denver-area golf executive Rachel Carter has been named vice president of business develop ment for Landscapes Golf Management, bring ing nearly three decades of golf-industry experi ence to the national management company. Carter, who is based in the Denver area, joins Landscapes Golf Management after serving as senior director of membership for the Nation al Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). Working closely with golf course owners and operators across the country, she focused on member engagement and retention, revenue strategies and evolving service models for an organization representing approximately 1,700 members and nearly 4,000 golf facilities. The position gave Carter a wide-angle view of the business of golf. NGCOA's membership includes owners and operators of public, private, resort and municipal facilities, putting Carter in regular contact with businesses facing different chal lenges in staffing, operations, revenue, custom er experience and long-term planning. 14 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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That combination of hands-on club operations, consulting and national industry experience gives Carter an unusual perspective as she moves into business development. Rather than approaching potential clients strictly from the sales side, she has spent much of her career working inside golf facilities or directly with the owners and operators who run them. Carter will now advise potential Landscapes Golf Management clients about the company's offerings in business strategy and planning, golf course maintenance, clubhouse operations, marketing, IT, staffing and training, food and beverage, health and wellness, merchandising, golf instruction and financial management. "After years sitting across the table from owners and operators - listening to their challenges, learning about their businesses and gaining a deep understanding of their needs from part ners -I'm excited to put that perspective to work in a new way," Carter said. "I was very intentional about my next career chapter and found tremendous alignment with
Landscapes Golf Management in its people, culture and vision for the future." Her experience at the NGCOA could prove particularly relevant to that role. In addition to working directly with individual facilities, Carter helped connect industry leaders through edu cation, research, networking and business-de velopment opportunities. She was also involved with NGCOA programming for multi-course and resort operators, further exposing her to the operational and financial considerations facing some of the industry's larger golf businesses. Beyond her professional roles, Carter has de veloped a prominent voice within the golf busi ness. She serves on the board of trustees of the Colorado Open Foundation and the board of the Colorado Golf Coalition, regularly speaks at golf conferences and industry events, and has con tributed to Golf Business Magazine, BoardRoom Magazine and other industry publications. That industry involvement continues in her new position. Carter is scheduled to participate in the Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, joining an op erations panel examining staffing, technology, maintenance, customer service, cost control and the evolving golf experience. "Rachel brings tremendous relationship capi tal, industry knowledge and golf operations ex perience," said Mark Mattingly, executive vice president of Landscapes Golf Management. "She's seen our corporate and field teams in ac tion, and how public courses and private clubs achieve meaningfully better business results with us than without us." For Carter, the new position also represents a shift from representing golf course owners and operators to working directly with them on the performance of their businesses-a transition that draws upon nearly every stop in her career. It also keeps Carter closely connected to Colo rado golf while expanding her reach nationally. Landscapes Golf Management provides man agement services to more than 70 properties in 26 states, including Broadlands Golf Course in Broomfield and King's Deer Golf Club in Monu ment. €l
THE GALLERY
Bluebird Takes Its First Flight COLORADO'S NEWEST P RIVATE GOLF C LUB TO OPEN IN 2 0 28
Golf course construction began after Labor Day on Colorado's newest golf club, Bluebird, near Parker. "We started shaping fairways after Labor Day and we are finalizing Founders and actively recruiting Charter members," said Kevin Laura, the club's general manager. The development is a project of longtime Denver-area developer Pat Hamill, who unveiled his latest housing and private golf club development this summer and said the Bluebird Club would become a new home for its members to have fun and build a community. The club is being built on property northeast of E-470 and Parker Road which has been part of golf course plans for several proposed developments on and off for decades. But Hamill said the project is finally ready to succeed, and construction be gan in early summer on roads for the surrounding residential development and the course, then on the course this September. "Professionally I spent the last 35 or 40 years building great master-planned communities," Ha mill said. "Eventually over time I wanted to build a club and I'd have only one really great chance at it." Hamill said he and his team are seeking a good group of initial members that can help build a community that will enjoy each others' company and be active in making the club a great experience.
"It was never about ego or prestige but it's really about the camaraderie and the connection between various members," he said. "And that's all we want to do."
golf hole and ideally they're going to have generous fairways and a routing that's going to be enjoyable for a scratch player as well as those just getting into the game," Hyten said.
The golf course is going to be a links-style 18 -hole course and is designed by Dan Blankenship. It will run between 5,000 and 7,800 yards. The plan is to truck-in hundreds of tons of sand from Nebraska to form the greens and tee boxes.
Kevin Laura, who is the general manager, said the initiation fee is $75,000 for the first 50 Charter members, who will then be tasked with helping recruit the rest of the membership. There will be a cap of 400 golf members, but social memberships for the pool, fitness and restaurant facilities will be available for residents in the Prairie Point residen tial community that is being built as well as existing neighborhoods nearby.
Blankenship grew up in Colorado and began his golf-design career working for the Pete Dye design group as it worked to build Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village.
The club is expected to open in fall 2028. The terrain slopes significantly from east to west. Close to Parker Road the property is at its lowest, and the clubhouse will be positioned near there. The course will climb the hillside along an existing neighborhood to the north, with new residential construction on the southern edge of the property. A housing development is being spearheaded by Oakwood Homes, the housing developer that Ha mill founded in 1991 and sold to Clayton Homes in 2017. Chris Hyten, the new head pro of the Bluebird Club, was most recently an assistant pro at Castle Pines Golf Club. He said the course would be an undulating, "really fun, links-inspired golf course." "There's going to be multiple ways to play each
Hyten said the course would also be building a strong caddy program. Ed Mate, CEO of the Colo rado Golf Association, said any new caddy-based courses would be welcome in Colorado because the CGA has been working to train caddies through the Solich Academy system and would love to see more opportunities for trained caddies to continue to work at professional clubs. There are approximately 22 golf courses in Col orado that use caddies, Mate said - 12 with youth-only programs, four with professional caddy programs, and six with hybrids of both. "This is ideal," Mate said. ©
coloradoavidgolfer.com 15
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GEAR
PING GOLF THROUGH THE MILL
IT TAKES PING A SURPRISINGLY LONG TIME TO MILL A PLD PUTTER. BUT THE RESULT, AS WITH ITS LIMITED-EDITION DZB, IS INVARIABLY EXQUISITE. // BY TONY DEAR
With an update on new products, we have to be careful when a manufacturer releases a limit ed-edition item. Introduce it the day of, or day after, a new post, and it's possible that product will have sold out by the time of the next post. We never know exactly how many clubs are made in a limited-edition release, or how long the club will be available. Ping's PLD Milled SE DZB putter, was announced in August. Obviously, a good indication of whether something is available is if it still appears on the manufacturer's website (though you'll have to pur chase the DZB at a Ping retailer), but with particu larly popular items, the time between the last unit being sold and it being removed from the website can be crucial. The PLD Milled SE DZB is part of the Putting Lab Design family of putters that Ping first introduced in 2016 for Tour staff only but made available to you and me in 2022. Like all PLD Milled putters, 20 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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FALL 2026
the DZB goes through a rigorous and lengthy (more than four hours) milling process to create its look and feel, but unlike other PLD Milled putters, this model is made with carbon steel rather than 303 Stainless Steel and, together with the face's hor izontal milling, wi II produce a slightly firmer feel. From the golfer's perspective looking down, the DZB has a similar look to the company's Anser models, though the heel is raised slightly off the ground and the toe is flared/raised. Both ends of the head feature ballast weighting, giving it the same perimeter weighting and high MOI as its pre decessors. To aid with alignment, a white Eye Q line has been added to the top rail, and the cavity behind the face has the same width as a ball which quietly and subtly helps you set the putterface square to your target line. Ping's Hl hosel (a plumber's neck hosel traditionally used on the Anser) gives the putter a full shaft's offset and means the DZB has a little toe hang, favoring golfers whose putting
stroke has a slight arc. The attractive Patina finish, diamond-pattern milling on the sole, and historic Redwood City Ping logo complete the look. The DZB's appeal extends wel I beyond perfor mance. Part of what makes Ping's PLD program so compelling is that these putters feel less like mass-produced equipment and more like carefully crafted pieces. Four-plus hours of milling for a sin gle head might sound excessive, but that precision is evident in the clean lines, intricate sole work and carefully shaped contours. There's a collector element, too. The Redwood City logo and Patina finish connect the DZB to Ping's history while its weighting and construction remain thoroughly modern. Whether you put it immediately into the bag or keep it pristine is up to you. Just don't spend four hours deciding. The putter already spent that long in the mill. �
col oradoav,dgolfer.com 21
THEIR OWN COURSE
THREE COLORADANS SHOW
THE POWER OF ADAPTIVE GOLF
THREE COLORADANS ARRIVED AT THE U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN WITH DIFFERENT STORIES
BUT SHARED THE SAME OPPORTUNITY: TO COMPETE ON ONE OF GOLF'S BIGGEST STAGES. // BY GARRE TT JOHNSTON
At the 5th U.S. Adaptive Open this summer the field and the results showed that adaptive golf continues to grow the game for people with dis abilities. Three Coloradans competed - Justin Carlock of Eaton, Trevor Kennison of Winter Park, and Mario Dino of Denver. Each had a different experience in the tournament, but all said the opportunity to compete remained a special thrill. Carlock made his U.S. Adaptive Open debut at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., and won his lower limb impairment category with a three-round score of 9-under par. Carlock was born with a condition in which the amniotic sac constricted his hands in the womb, causing his fingers to fuse and develop differently. He has undergone more than 10 surgeries. Carlock is the assistant golf professional al Eaton Country Club and played his way into the final pairing for a showdown with eventual winner Kipp Pop22 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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FALL 2026
ert. Poper!, from England, won his third straight U.S. Adaptive Open title. At one point Carlock had his toddler give Kipp a dap in congratulations in what turned out to be one of the more indelible images from the championship. In the moments after Carlock finished his final round, he hugged his family and posse of friends. "This is the coolest golf tournament I've ever gotten to be a part of," Carlock said. "It feels pretty good coming all the way out here and playing most of the way how I wanted to play. Of course you always want to play a little bit better. but I had a blast. I gave it everything I had." The 31-year-old brought his best energy, enthusiasm and drive in his debut Adaptive Open, and that came together for his category win and an immediate invite back next year forthe sixth U.S. Adaptive Open next July at Oregon's Sunriver Resort.
After an incredibly inspiring week for both his game and from the relationships he built with fel low competitors and their families, Carlock said he was struck by an immense feeling of fulfillment upon reflection. "The most fulfilling part would have to be just prov ing lo myself that I belong with those guys. I have a lot of people in my corner that push me lo be the best I can be," Carlock said. "Getting to share that experience with those same people was more than fulfilling. Getting to share what I love doing with those I love the most was something I will never forget. And I hope there will be many more Adaplive Opens to come." Carlock had his whole family out at the champi onship, and back at Eaton Country Club the locals held a watch party to see how he'd finish on the final day. "I am so thankful for everyone who showed up for the watch party, ii just means so much to me and
THEIR OWN COURSE
that's such a special thing that they thought of me for that final round," Carlock said. Mario Dino of Denver competed in his fifth straight U.S. Adaptive Open. Dino was born with a form of cerebral palsy that restricts movements on the left side of his body. The 23-year-old is a member of the University of Redlands men's golf team. The Denver native had an accomplished golf career at Mullen High School and Dino competed in the state championships from 2017-20, finishing sec ond and helping his team earn runner-up honors in his senior season. Dino placed fourth in the Coordination Impairment category in 2025 and this year at Woodmont finished third. He also tied for fifteenth in the overall men's category leader board. "This championship is just truly amazing, it real ly feels like a U.S. Amateur or a U.S. Open," Dino said. "It just all feels like the real thing to me." Dino was up at Cherry Hills in 2023 as a spectator for the U.S. Amateur as a fan and he says the U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont "Had a similar vibe. As a competitor you show up for check in and you get the player medallion, you get access to the locker room, the course is in immaculate condition, you have your name plate on the range for you when you need to hit balls, it all just feels almost exactly the same as what I witnessed of the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills for those contestants." What compelled Dino the most in this particular week at the Adaptive Open? "Well, it's our national championship, and I think that representing my home state in Colorado gives me a lot of pride, and
it just feels good to know you're just trying to play as good as you can to represent those who you know so well back at home," Dino said. Dino has cerebral palsy and says that is the reason why, of all sports he played growing up, that he de cided on golf. "With basketball I couldn't dribble with my left hand, I would luck my glove under my left arm, but for golf, I can grip the club with two hands," Dino says. "There's definitely some weakness in my left arm that does affect my golf swing but it really was something where it didn't affect me that much. My mom always says that I chose golf be cause it helped my disability by coming through in my swing, and that's part of the swinging motion and that's a helpful reason why I chose golf. I think it helps with my symmetry. Trying to make my left side symmetrical for my right." Dino had his dad on the bag at Woodmont, "It was so nice to have him on the bag. He's really come into his own as a caddie," Dino smiles. "He keeps me calm out there and he helps me play the best when I'm not thinking too much about the result, just have fun and play golf." Trevor Kennison of Winier Park made his debut in the U.S. Adaptive Open and watching his opening round, you couldn't wipe the ear-to-ear grin from his face, nor from the faces of his mom Olga and girlfriend Kelly. Though the 33-year-old would ultimately miss the cut and play two rounds in the seated golfer category, the experience with his peers, the staff
al Woodmont, and the fans seemed to really reso nate for Kennison. He was paralyzed from the waist down following a snowboarding accident near Vail in 2014. Kenni son has since become one of the world's top adap tive action sports athletes, making history in 2022 as the first adaptive athlete to hit the X Games Big Air jump. In addition to skiing, Kennison competes in adaptive golf and surfing. He continues to push the limits of adaptive sports while inspiring others through his resilience and determination. "Playing at Woodmont in the Adaptive Open was a thrill for me," Kennison said. "It was a special week and an amazing lime." He said he sees similarities between competing in skiing and in golf. "I think being prepared, breath work, understanding your trajectory, it's important to be ready with all of those before you go to nail a jump," Kennison said. "I guess with golf there are little differences, but also similarities with seeing an obstacle and then getting it out of your mind and then understanding the calculated risk. Once you get into your shot, then it's a mental rhythm you find and then off you go. Make an assertive jump or stroke." The trip to Woodmont would end up being a home-coming of sorts for Kennison as he drove north into the northeast states above Maryland after the tournament to play golf with some old friends at places he had last played as a kid. For Carlock, the part of the week he'll remember 30 years from now was all about his family and sup port. ©
coloradoavidgolfer.com 23
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f?.ef) /?.OC�S Wee�eNO
CLOSe TO OeNVe/?.
DINO T RACKS. ELEVATED FAIRWAYS.
ICONIC ROCKS. INCREDIBLE ROUNDS.
GOLF FOSSIL TRACE GOLF COURSE
GOLF ARROWHEAD GOLF COURSE
I
I I
CAMP
GOLDEN GATE CANYON ST ATE PARK
!
CAMP
CHATF lELD STATE PARK
Located in Golden and dubbed "Colorado's Home Course," this camp-golf
Another perfect option if you're coming to Denver and want some easy
Trace is a unique course featuring dinosaur fossils right along the fairway.
jagged rocks, making it seem at times as if you are golfing in an ancient
offers great camping and a nearby home base in a nice alpine environ
spot to pitch a tent or bring the camper, close to water, and a great place
combination is perfect for a quick overnight escape from Denver. Fossil
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just 30 minutes from Fossil Trace and ment without having to drive deep into the mountains. OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
to cool off after a hot round.
•FISHING
•RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATER
►
PADDLEl3OARDI NG
RED ROCKS HlKING
•GREAT LOCAL BREWERlES
►
TEE orr. ///
amphitheater. Less than 15 minutes from the tee box, Chatfield is a great
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
•MOUNTAIN BIKING
28 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
camping and scenic golf. Arrowhead offers stunning fairways set against
FALL 2026
S [ l lJ P.
EXPLORE.
FAIRWAYS & FIRE PITS
STeA-MSOA-T A-PVeNTU�e
WILD VIEWS. UNFORGETTABLE GOLF.
I
I
SUMMIT COUNTY SeNPIT ALPINE GOLF. ENDLESS OPTIONS.
I
GOLF ROLL!NGSTONE RANCH
I
CAMP STEAMBOAT LAKE STATE PARK
Head north to check out some great golf and camping around Steamboat. The
Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, designed
by Robert Trent Jones II, features a wind• ing course along Fish Creek overlooking
the Yampa Valley. Watch out for wildlife
such as moose and bear as you tee off
I I
CAMP PEAK ONE
GOL� FOX ACRES CAMP DOWDY LAKE
Located in Keystone in the heart of Sum
Located in Northern Colorado in Red
courses offer challenging mountain golf
71, 18-hole golf course meandering
mit County, The River and The Ranch
Feather, Fox Acres is a 6,481-yard, Par
with scenic backdrops. The River fea•
through ponderosa pines and several
lels the river at times, while The Ranch is
shots and some elevation gain. Just down
tures more elevation changes and paral
lakes. The setting is full of challenging
more open, set in a valley around an old
the road from the golf course is Dowdy
One is a scenic campground along Dillon
shaded camping adjacent to the lake,
Swan Mountain with the Gore and Ten•
and hiking in the area.
ranch. Less than 30 minutes away, Peak
is about 40 minutes north of Steamboat
Reservoir near Frisco. Set at the base of
and is a great home base for campers.
PINES, LAKES. AND LONG DRIVES.
GOLF THE R!YER & THE RANCH
on the Audubon International Certified
course. The campsite at Steamboat Lake
NO�Tlle�N CO GeTA-WA-Y
Lake Campground, which provides nice
with plenty of fishing, paddleboarding,
With nearly 200 campsites on 2,800
mile Ranges as a backdrop, it's an ideal
in the region.
ter a long round.
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES:
OTHER 1'EARBY ACTIVITIES:
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES:
HORSEBACK RID!NG
•F!SH!NG
acres, the lake is an ideal base for golfing
►
PA DDLEBOARDING
•H!KING ►
HOT SPRINGS
place to unwind and enjoy the sunset af.
•KEYSTONE G ONDOLA ►
►
BRECKENR!DGE BREW
•REDFEATHER LAKES
►
4-WHEEL!NG
FAIRWAYS 6 FIRE PITS
GOLF&CAMP
GEARTIPS TEE OFF.
GREAT GOLF LEADS TO EVEN BETTER ADVENTURES.
SET UP. EXPLORE .
A few key pieces of gear can make golfing and camping go smoothly. Here are our must-haves for the course, the campsite and everything in between .
•
WATER BOTTLE
Stay hydrated on the course and at camp. Domelic Travel Tumblers keep drinks cold (or hot) all day and are built for adventure.
•
Keep your gear organized with the Gregory Alpaca Gear Basket. It holds 70L of gear and packs down easily when not in use.
•
A good night's sleep leads to a better round. The Marmot Tungsten UL Tent is lightweight. easy to set up and built for Colorado conditions.
CLUB CASE Protect your clubs on the road and at camp. The Vessel Travel Case Pro features durable ballistic nylon and an integrated Club Armor System for peace of mind.
A versatile chair works on the course, at camp and beyond. The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair is durable. comfortable and easy to take anywhere.
Stay cool on hot days and nights. The OGERY Fl 1 Portable Camping Fan delivers powerful airflow, integrated LED lighting and long battery life.
e
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UnitedAgandTurf .com or connect with your regional Golf Territory Manager.
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BLACK MAGIC
BLACK MAGIC
In early October golf fans will be watching a PGA Tour event that won't look real. For nearly the entire pro golf season courses where the world's best players compete look one of three ways: there are the early season desert courses, then there are the tree-lined fairway courses, and briefly in late summer there are wind-swept links courses in the UK and Ireland. None look like what will be shown from southern Utah when the Bank of Utah Championship re turns to one of the newest resorts in the country, Black Desert Resort. There, emerald green fair ways are bracketed by dark black corridors of ba salt rock formed by volcanic eruptions that date back 2 million years. "After the first tour event in 2024, we had com ments online saying 'This is Al generated,' and 'That looks faked; they've enhanced it," said Colby Cowan, Director of Golf at Black Desert Resort. "It truly isn't." Cowan's own brother, who has visited the site and is from the area, calls every year during the tourna ment. "I can see why people think it's Al generat ed, it looks so good on TV," he says. The Black Desert Resort property is one of south ern Utah's newest destinations and it's Tom Weis kopf-designed golf course is growing in reputation as a reason to visit. Black Desert lies near St. George, a two-hour drive north of Las Vegas or a little under two hour flight direct from Denver International Airport to St. George. "The scenery is just unbelievable with the with the green grass, black lava, red rocks in the background," Cowan said. The combination of Weiskopf and his longtime partner Phil Smith's creative design and the unique landscape have created 18 holes of stun ning, rugged beauty. "We have a 19th hole as a wager hole, basically; people can settle their bets - it's about 60 yards over water," Cowan said. "So it's kind of a fun little fun way for people to finish their round." With elevation changes and the lava fields making short-cuts between holes all-but impossible, the typical playing experience is cart golf with fore caddies across grassy perfection. "Golfers will come and experience not only well-manicured golf course, but also very playable - challenging at the same time, but also the experience of being taken care of through our fore caddy program." The golf operations have also leaned in to the special place that the course has in Tom Weiskopf's career. 34 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
I II
FALL 2026
Weiskopf was a great PGA Tour player and when he died of pancreatic cancer in 2022 Black Desert was his 73rd and final course design. "We have a restaurant out at the driving range ... with the large 2-acre putting course. We call it Club 73. This was his 73rd and final design. And so we named it after him," Cowan said. There are a limited number of tee times available each day for play by visitors who are not staying at the resort, with club members and resort guests getting access to the lion-share of the slots. In peak season golf costs $325 per round for re sort guests, which includes all food and drink on the course, carts and a fore caddy. The resort is no longer in its infancy, and construction is mov ing fast adding amenities. A massive water park is underway and plans for the future run the gamut from concrete (a walkable 'downtown' area for resort guests filled with restaurants, shops and entertainment options ) to hoped-for (additional golf courses). With the water park on track to open in June 2027, the resort's guests are expected to be able to have golf be just a part of an overall vacation experience. "There's the Plume Spa, there's hik ing adventures they can do with different activity
guides," Cowan said. "There's biking. So what we're seeing is groups are coming in, they might play one day, take a day off, either explore Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, do a spa treatment, then go on a bike adventure, and then they're finishing it off with another round of golf." There is a combination of resort guest rooms and suites as well as residential opens on the grounds, so the facilities are being built out to give options for both short and long term visits. They added 21 pickleball course, and construction continued this summer on the boardwalk develop ment, the hub of the community. "That's (going to be) the gathering spot for evening activity,'' Cowan said. "We have the four restau rants here on property, but those will have even have more options. There'll be live entertainment. They're hoping for nightly when that opens up. There are no cars allowed, so it's all walking and lots of gathering places." So every year for the foreseeable future there will be something new for repeat visitors to Black Des ert. But the golf course that is the center of it all will remain a destination worth experiencing. il
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Experience championship golf at Aviara Golf Club, the only Arnold Palmer-designed coastal course in Southern California. With our Aviara Golf Club Package, you'll enjoy two rounds of golf per night reserved, twilight tee times, unlimited range access, club storage, and a $100 retail credit. Best of all, with nonstop United flights from Denver to Carlsbad and Park Hyatt Aviara located just 10 minutes from the airport, your next golf getaway is closer than ever.
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oyote Coyote Springs is a 50-minute drive north of the Las Vegas strip and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Late fall and early winter are when Coyote Springs really shines. Temperatures moderate-with highs in the low 80s in October and the 50s and 60s through the end of the year. For players looking for a change of pace from the courses around the strip, they can find few better options than Coyote Springs. The Jack Nicklaus-signature 18-hole golf course is challenging and a great vacation or long-weekend option. The course is the cornerstone to a residen tial and lifestyle community that is growing in the beautiful landscape. THE GOLF The course is designed to give a fair experience to all level of golfers. Five tee box options stretch the course from 5,300 yards to more than 7,400. Like many of Jack's greatest courses, the 18-hole tract rolls out like a story with different chapters. The opening holes offer generous landing zones and make it possible to start off with some red numbers on the scorecard. By hole No. 5-dubbed "The Nickel" - a divided fairway on the long par 5 40 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
///
FALL 2026
rz
rewards players who make a smart plan in advance and stick to it. Bunkers throughout the course are placed near landing zones but still give plenty of elbow room. A few choice ponds are strategically placed to bring real zip into some of the par 3s, as well as all of the final five holes. Course conditions are routinely excellent and the course does not aerate or over-seed in the fall, giv ing tall visitors the perfect conditions they expect. The club offers its popular annual membership Coyote Club program - $159 in 2026. It gives members a year's benefits including one compli mentary round, five guest passes at "Coyote Club rates, discounts off the dynamically priced resident rate and other benefits. A PLACE TO CALL HOME -AND MEAN IT Coyote Springs will be a community where life is in full motion, with a character of soul-stirring beau ty, pioneering independence, interaction with the outdoors and of sharing the rhythms and richness of nature. Visit CoyoteSprings.Com for more information.
Chase the sun. Play a legend's masterpiece in the heart of Nevada.
COYOTE�SPRINGS GOLF
\lJ,/
CLUB
ummerizn
West of the Las Vegas Strip lies the quieter enclave of Summerlin, home to great golf, dining and entertainment, with easy access to the parks and wideopen desert landscapes west of the city. ON THE COURSE Highland Falls pairs excellent conditions and memorable holes. A two-time Las Vegas Re view-Journal Best of Las Vegas winner, the course is known for sweeping city views, highlighted by the panoramic scene from the 14th hole. Palm Valley offers a traditional layout across gen tly rolling terrain, with well-conditioned fairways and greens. Mountain views provide a scenic backdrop throughout the round. For golfers short on time, Eagle Crest Golf Course delivers a full 18hole experience in under three hours. The execu tive course features six par 4s and 12 par 3s, along with mountain, valley and Las Vegas Strip views. Golf Summerlin's lowest rates also make it an ap proachable option for any budget.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hiking, scenic drives, photography and spectacular desert landscapes just minutes from Summerlin. Cooler temperatures make winter an especially appealing time to explore. Downtown 42 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
I II
FALL 2026
Summerlin features outdoor shopping, restaurants, entertainment, events and performances. It's also home to Las Vegas Ballpark, where the Las Vegas Aviators offer an affordable night of mi nor-league baseball.
RESTAURANTS Each course offers convenient on-site dining. Mill er's Tavern at Palm Valley serves American tavern favorites in a casual setting, while The Tavern at the Falls at Highland Falls is an easy stop for a quick bite before or after a round.
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reater Lzon
Fourteen golf courses sit within a 20-mile radius in southwest Utah, each routed through some of the sport's most dramatic terrain. Red sandstone cliffs frame the fairways; black lava fields become natural hazards; Zion National Park sits close enough for a morning tee time and afternoon canyon hike on the same day. With 300-plus days of sunshine a year, winter isn't a break from the season. It's the season. While courses across the Rockies and Midwest sit under snow, Greater Zion's greens stay open, ready for golf elevated. PLAY
The courses range from championship-caliber layouts to impressive municipal tracks. Black Desert Resort hosts the Bank of Utah Champi onship, a PGA TOUR FedExCup event; Sand Hol low Golf Club features three holes ranked among Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Holes; and Copper Rock Golf Course delivers dramatic el evation changes. Coral Canyon and The Ledges consistently rank among Utah's favorites, while Sky Mountain and Dixie Red Hills prove you don't need a club membership for a memorable round. Explore them all at GreaterZion.com. STAY
St. George, Ivins, and Hurricane put golfers close to the courses. Resorts offer full amenities 44 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
I II
FALL 2026
and short drives to the first tee, while short-term rentals give groups room to spread out, with kitchens and space for clubs. For something different, glamping and RV sites put you closer to the desert without sacrificing access to a tee time. DINE
In Greater Zion, a round rarely ends when the ball drops in the cup. Settle in for lunch with a view, grab a drink after the 18th, or head downtown to discover a local favorite. From Southwestern Ilavors and barbecue to Indian, Thai, and chef-driven
creations, Greater Zion turns local ingredients, big flavors, and Utah originals into meals worth remembering.
EXPLORE
Golf doesn't have to fill the whole day. Ride an e-bike past petrified dunes and lava fields at Snow Canyon State Park, soak in Zion Canyon Hot Springs, or book a sunset jeep tour for desert views you won't see from the fairway. Add a Zion Nation al Park hike, and a golf trip becomes a complete vacation-even for the non-golfers who tag along.
� .).. ,.,. !
...,,
•'
From Scottsdale and Phoenix to Tucson and the East Valley, Treon Golf Arizona offers an incredi ble variety of courses and experiences for golfers looking to make the most of their next Arizona get away. Play amid Arizona's striking landscapes at Ak Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Dove Valley Ranch Golf
Club and Eagle Mountain Golf Club. Enjoy expansive desert scenery and mountain views at courses
throughout the Valley, including Golf Club of Es trella, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, las Colinas Golf Club and longbow Golf Club. Or tee it up at iconic-area courses including Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Power Ranch Golf Club, The Phoe nician, The Westin Kierland Golf Club or Troon North Golf Club. Looking to venture beyond the Valley 7 The Club at Starr Pass in Tucson and SaddleBrooke TWO in Oro Valley offer even more opportunities to ex-
perience Arizona golf. Whether you're planning a dedicated golf getaway, escaping the winter cold or simply looking for a few memorable rounds while visiting Arizona, there's a Treon course ready to welcome you. With courses across the state, Treon Golf Arizona makes it easy to discover your next great round this fall or winter. Explore more at TroonGo/fAZ.com.
TROON RESORTS & COURSES • Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club AkChinSouthernDunes.com • Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale TheBoulders.com • Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club
• Golf Club of Estrella
• Lookout Mounta,n Golf Club
EstrellaGo/f. com
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• Grass Clippings Roll111g Hills
• Power Ranch Golf Club
GrassC/ippingsAZ.com
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• Las Colinas Golf Club
• Saddle[lrooke TWO
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LasColinasGolfAZ.com
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• Eagle Mountain Golf Club
• Longbow Golf Club
• Sedona Golf Resort
LongbowGolf.com
SedonaGolfResort.com
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• The Club at Starr Pass TheClubatStarrPass.com • The Phoenician Golf ThePhoenician.com • The Westin K1erland Golf Club Kicrlanc/Go/f.com • Troon North Golf Club TroonNorlllGolf.com
The We-Ko-Pa golf courses northeast of Scotts dale are longtime favorites for Coloradans seek ing to escape the grey and cold of winter. The two courses - Cholla and Saguaro - have elite pedi grees and che course conditions are perennially fantastic. In 2001 the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation built one resort course, which they named Cho Ila, at the same time as they opened their new We-Ko-Pa ca sino and resort nearby. Then in 2005 they added the Saguaro Course from the design team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The two quickly became a popular overnight or day-trip destination for golf ers from Colorado visiting Phoenix and Scottsdale. The courses make use of the region's natural ar royo's - the channels cut by the sudden rainstorms which can bring torrents of water to bone-dry land seemingly out of nowhere. The results are courses that allow players to focus on the challenge, the experience, and their playing partners. CHOLLA COURSE
Cholla are the spiny cacti that dot the land in the Valley of the Sun, and the course and the cacti are both cut from the same cloth. Both are at times narrow, floral, welcoming with their natural beau ty, but exacting for visitors who do not know how to handle them. 48 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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Cholla, a Scott Miller design, turned 25 years old last winter and the course has matured magnif icently. The course begins with desert washes fronting the tee box on No. 1. Most of the holes require a good swat to clear a wash or desert ter rain, but if players choose wisely on which tee box to start from it should become a cause of pride and not consternation. The greens on the first four holes all have knolls and significant contour changes. By the back half of the front nine greens level out slightly, but some more aggressive bun kering comes into play to offer a new challenge. SAGUARO COURSE
The Saguaro course is the course which makes all the best-of-Arizona I ists and is the one that visiting players want to be good and warmed up for. The Coore/Crenshaw design has welcoming fairways, but driving angles from the back tees can be cru cial. The namesake saguaro cacti tower over play ers throughout the course. The experience for both courses starts from great design and conditions. Then as players wind through the desert the world outside slowly fades away. For a few hours players put their skills to the test and come away feeling as though they have accomplished something special, regardless of their score. Wekopa.com
UNSPOILED. UNRIVALED.
UNBELIEVABLE. 36 HOLES I PLAY SAGUARO & CHOLLA The Coore/Crenshaw-designed Saguaro course (No. 1) and the Scott Miller-designed Cholla course (No. 11) have been ranked among the very best You Can Play in Arizona for more than a decade. And you can experience both within a 3-day period with the 36-hole package. Located minutes from Scottsdale, Arizona in the pristine Sonoran Desert of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
VERRADO IS A MUST-PLAY DESTINATION
erra
Nestled in the scenic foothills of the White Tank Mountains, just west of Phoenix, Verrado Golf Club offers two distinctive 18-hole championship courses. Designed by PGA Tour veteran Tom Leh man, these courses-Founder's and Victory promise an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. Whether you're drawn by dramatic elevation changes or serene desert land scapes, Verrado is a must-play destination.
THE FOUNDER'S AND VICTORY COURSE
The Founder's Course delivers a thrilling chal lenge with its mountainside layout. Massive rock outcroppings, rugged desert washes, and pic turesque box canyons shape the course, offering breathtaking views of both the White Tank Moun tains and the Phoenix skyline. Measuring nearly 7,300 yards from the back tees, this course caters to accomplished golfers seeking a formidable test. However, with five sets of tees and generous land ing areas, it ensures that players of all abilities can enjoy the round. Architects John Fought and Tom Lehman designed the course to be both exciting and accessible-giving everyone a fair shot at par. As a complement to the Founder's Course, the Victory Course offers a unique and equally rewarding experience. Designed to embrace the natural 50 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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rocky terrain, this 18-hole layout combines stra tegic design with stunning scenery. Immaculate fairways and greens provide a smooth, enjoyable round, while the 18th hole delivers a memorable finish that leaves golfers eager for a return visit.
DINING AT VERRADO GRILLE
After a day on the links, Verrado Grille offers the perfect place to unwind. Located The Verrado Grille features a vibrant atmosphere, impeccable service, and spectacular Sonoran Desert sunsets. Whether you're dining indoors or relaxing on the open patio, the menu promises an elevated take on golf-course fare. With a mix of comfort and so phistication, it's a fitting way to wrap up your expe rience at Verrado Golf Club.
CLIFF HOUSE
For a quick stop during your round or a peaceful retreat afterward, the Cliff House awaits. Perched on the edge of the course with panoramic views of the Victory Course this cozy spot serves fresh sandwiches, salads and more. Whether you're refueling or simply savoring the moment, the Cliff House invites you to relax and soak in the serene surroundings. Verrado Golf Club offers more than just a round of golf-it's a destination where championship
courses, stunning scenery, and exceptional dining converge. Whether you're an avid golfer or simply in search of a memorable day in the desert, Verrado promises an experience you won't soon forget.
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TONTO VERDE
For many golfers in Colorado, winter often means watching the snow fall while dreaming of green fairways and blue skies. However, just outside Scottsdale, Arizona, where the Sonoran Desert meets the foothills of the Tonto National Forest, Tonto Verde Golf Club provides the perfect escape for the winter. Located in Rio Verde, Arizona this premier golf community offers residents a wide range of ame nities, including a Santa Fe-style Clubhouse, the Mesquite Grill, a lighted 18-hole putting course, fitness center with classes, resort-style pool, boc ce ball courts, pickleball, and a massage studio. Golfers enjoy the luxury of two championship 18hole courses, each offering six sets of tee options, allowing players of all skill levels to tailor the chal lenge to their game. At the heart of Tonto Verde are two beautifully maintained courses that offer contrasting yet equally rewarding experiences. The Peaks Course features narrow fairways, natural desert transilions, and contoured greens with subtle breaks that test precision and strategy. The Ranch 52 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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Course provides a contrasting experience with wider fairways, longer distances, and expansive sloping greens. Both courses have recently un dergone bunker refurbishment and green resto rations, returning them to their original design and playability.
Group play matches golfers of similar handicaps, creating a welcoming environment where casu al players can find themselves playing alongside state amateur champions. The program helps new members quickly integrate into the social and golf ing life of the Club.
While the golf is exceptional, members often say the real magic of Tonto Verde lies in its people. Tonto Verde prides itself on being a friendly, mem ber-focused community. New members frequently remark on how quickly they feel welcomed, wheth er it's joining a casual round of golf, attending a club social event, or simply gathering with neigh bors after a day on the course.
As a member-owned and financially stable organization, Tonto Verde Golf Club also offers a full calendar of activities, including an 18-hole men's league, 9- and 18-hole ladies' leagues, women's interclub competitions, organized golf travel, demo days, social events, and PGA professional lessons and fittings. The fully stocked Golf Shop and a team of experienced professionals enhance the overall experience, while the attentive outside service staff ensure every round begins seamless ly.
Members consistently describe the Tonto Verde experience as unique, thanks in large part to the Club's highly regarded Group Play Program. According to Jeff Ostlund, PGA, Director of Golf, "We have regular groups playing every day of the week, with plenty of options for open play thanks to our 36-hole facilities. While other clubs in the Valley are on lottery tee time systems, Tonto Verde's members can play any day or every day."
If you would like to learn more about Tonto Verde Golf Club, please reach out to Somin Lee Bevers dorf, the Membership and Marketing Director at slee@tontogolf.com or 480-689-9697.
TONTO VERDE
TONTO VERDE
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On behalf of Avidlifestyle, Colorado AvidGolfer, Title Sponsor Central Bank, and Presenting Sponsors Howard Lorton Furniture & Design and Closet Factory, thank you for joining us at the 6th Annual Wheels of Dreams Charity Experience. Your generosity helped raise $268,744 for FullCircle, supporting local young people and families affected by mental health challenges and addiction. Enchanting E
We hope you enjoyed an unforgettable evening featuring more than 50 classic, exotic, and supercars, exceptional cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and incredible performances by That Eighties Band and The Breeze. Live artistry by Molly McClure Art, exciting giveaways, and beautifully appointed lounges added to the celebration.
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A special thank you to Phil Long Dealerships, Lendio, Dream Makers Landscape, Thurston Kitchen+ Bath, Trinity Commercial Roofing, Orthopedic Centers of Colorado, and Guiry's Paint Source. Our partners Sweetin Photography, Digital Exposed Media, Luxelan Photo Booth, and our gracious host, The Franciscan Event Center.
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Kevin Bolles Retires after 40 Years at Boulder CC BY JIM BEBBINGTON
For 40 years Kevin Bolles helped grow the game of golf, primarily as the director of golf since 1999 for Boulder Country Club, and after a full course renovation decided it was time for other things. He retired on Sept. 1, then for the first time in years competed in the lnspirato Colorado Se nior Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. "I haven't played it for a while," he said. Then it was off to Montana for the month of September. Bolles is hoping to be able to play and compete more after working to teach and encourage the game since 1986. "My advice to any and all golf pros - self-educate yourself," he said. "You know, we're experts at a lot of different things from rules, handicapping, tournament operations, and oftentimes we act, it seems like golf pros expect seminars to train you. Just read the book, go online, make your self smarter. It's because nobody else is going to do it for you. And if you want to be successful in the business, you have to sound educated." One of the main aspects of his tenure in Boul der has been stability. His first hire there in 1999 was Terra Sheehy as an assistant pro, and she remains with the club. He started working 56 COLORADO AVIDGOLFER
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at Boulder CC in 1986 part-time, then in 1987 went on the payroll - filling in shifts while also trying to make it as a touring player on miniature tours. "So that went on for a bunch of years while I was in and out of town," he said. "and then in about '91 I took a so-called full-time position in the winter, thinking I'll work for a few months and then go back on the road. And I didn't really go back on the road, so here I am today, still here." The most-recent years on the job have involved an extensive redesign of the course which be gan in 2020 and was completed in 2023. "It ended up being a time-capsule of fixing or updating the course to take into account all the ways the game has changed," he said. For example, in one area a pond narrowed the fareway and with modern equipment players would smash their shots opposite the pond-of ten peppering the rooftops and walls of houses on that side. The pond had to go. Then there were par 4s which were shortened to take advantage of the trend to give big-hitters an enticement to go for the green in one. "Short fours are the new thing," he said. Bolles is proud of his tenure and of the other PGA professionals who have similar tenures."There's
a few of us in the Colorado that have done it," he said. "I know Rudy Cataneda is stil I down at Indian Tree {Golf Club in Arvada) knocking it out. Jeff Seltz just retired a while ago (as di rector of golf for The Club at Rolling Hills). I feel like there's been quite a few that have retired in the last couple of years. Kirk Rider's down there in Bear Creek, hanging in there doing his thing. So anyway, we're kind of a unique club, I got to say." Looking back at his career, Bolles said he is proud to have been part of working with so many people and students and Boulder members to help them learn golf and enjoy the game. "It's just been a part of a massive community of people, and you kind of don't realize that when you're in the middle of it," he said. "But as you come down the road to retirement and you look back and go, wow, I've known thousands and thousands of people and generations of fam ilies from when they start having babies and now they're grandparents or kids have gone to college. Kids come back and become members and start having babies. so I've been a part of one, two, three generations of people. And that's I guess probably the favorite thing is just to know all these people and to watch the place grow." ©
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