BizBeat: Fossil Trace Golf Club celebrates 20th anniversary

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Jim Hajek still remembers answering Fossil Trace Golf Club’s rst phone and scheduling the course’s inaugural tee time on opening day — July 31, 2003.

Twenty years later, Golden’s public golf course hosted an all-day celebration of commemorative gifts, live music, a putt-putt course, a round of “nine and dine,” a putting contest and more. Fossil Trace had also planned a hot air balloon launch, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

e event was open to the entire community — golfers and nongolfers, locals and visitors. Hajek, the club’s head golf professional, estimated 450-500 guests stopped by to celebrate.

“I think it was a wonderful celebration,” Hajek said. “Even though Mother Nature tried to get in the way, it didn’t thwart our e orts. We look forward to what we can accomplish in the next 20 years.” e course features spectacular views of Golden and the surrounding foothills, and weaves past dinosaur fossils and footprints on the adjacent Triceratops Trail.

Since opening, Fossil Trace has gained a reputation as one of the best courses in Colorado. Hajek said it’s because the sta is focused on creating a true golf experience.

Because of its unique characteristics and sta ’s thorough e orts, Fossil Trace has both local and international fans, Hajek said. Even though the club sets aside tee times for locals, Fossil Trace is often sold out all summer, every summer.

For non-golfers, Hajek encouraged them to stop by and admire the views and visit the restaurant. He believed it was one of the better

After Refacing restaurants in Golden, and people should try out its brunch, lunch and dinner options, and its cocktails.

“You don’t have to play the game to experience what Fossil Trace is,” he said.

For more information about Fossil Trace Golf Club, visit fossiltrace. com or call 303-277-8750.

Foothills Art Center receives $100,000 grant for Astor House campus

When it comes to big ideas in Golden, there’s not much bigger than Foothills Art Center’s forthcoming Astor House campus. e project, which is slated to wrap up this fall, will expand the art center’s amenities and resources, and preserve one of downtown Golden’s historic structures.

So, it’s tting that the Astor House project’s receiving a $100,000 Big Ideas in Golden Grant from the Golden Civic Foundation and Molson Coors.

Molson Coors recently con rmed its $50,000 portion. GCF plans to fundraise the remainder at this year’s Wild West Oktoberfest, which will be Sept. 22-23 in the Clear Creek parking lot at 304 10th St.

FAC plans to use the grant to build outdoor bench seating for live music, demonstrations and other events. Executive Director Hassan Najjar said the grant funding further demonstrates how invested the community is in preserving the Astor House and enhancing Golden’s art scene.

“ e arts will be returning to Golden in a huge way after we open this fall,” he continued.

Lacey Golonka, Molson Coors’ community a airs manager, said the grant is part of the brewery’s