DIVOT Magazine Summer Issue 2019

Vol 27 No 3

Your Guide to Golf in Colorado

Summer 2019

SANDIA RESORT AND CASINO A PREMIER RESORT DESTINATION

505.798.3990 SANDIAGOLF.COM

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TRY YOUR LUCK AT CASABLANCA RESORT & CASINO

Mesquite, Nevada

located an hour north of Las Vegas, is home to some of the country’s best desert golf courses & some of golf’s greatest values.

Tucked between the mountains in the Virgin River Valley, you’ll find Mesquite Gaming’s impressive CasaBlanca Resort & Casino and their two must-play golf courses, the award-winning CasaBlanca Golf Club and Palms Golf Club – a perfect combination of amenities to host your next group golf outing.

The country’s best desert golf courses & some of golf’s greatest values.

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CasaBlanca Resort & Casino is the city’s top resort destination, featuring 500 newly remodeled and wellappointed hotel rooms, a 33,000 square-foot ballroom, 9,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, more than 800 slot machines, table games and a fullservice race and sports book.

During your stay, enjoy nightly live entertainment at the property’s two entertainment venues, the CasaBlanca Showroom and Skydome Lounge; relax at the massive lagoon-style pool; and dine and imbibe at Katherine’s Steakhouse, DIVOTMagazine.com

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recognized as one of the country’s most romantic restaurants for the past three years.

As you venture out into Mesquite’s beautiful desert landscapes and 294 days of sunshine per year, two distinct golf courses offer challenging but enjoyable year-round golfing experiences for golfers of any level. The CasaBlanca Golf Club, designed by Cal Olson, lies etched into the wetlands of the Mesquite Valley. This beautiful 7,036yard championship course features 18 holes winding in and out of the Virgin River basin. The Palms Golf Club, Mesquite’s longest-standing course, is a stunning 6,804yard, par 72 course featuring more than 200 palm trees, water features and sand traps. Both courses offer a driving range, putting green, private lessons and are open for individual play and group reservations year-round.

Courses are open for reservations year-round.

Mesquite Gaming’s ownership of both resorts and golf courses provides ease and convenience when booking your next group golf getaway.

A fully-staffed group sales team is eager to assist you as you book groups of 12 golfers Summer Issue 2019

and eight rooms or more, with group leaders receiving a complimentary room during their group’s stay and a complimentary round of golf at the CasaBlanca Golf Club or Palms Golf Club while their group plays those courses.

Hosts can book discounted rates at a total of six golf courses within six minutes of the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino, as well as Jack Niklaus’ Coyote Springs Golf Club and three of the top courses in St. George, Utah.

Book groups of 12 golfers and eight rooms or more To book your next group outing, please contact sales@mesquitegaming. com or call a Golf Sales Manager at 1.888.711.4653.

Traveling with fewer than 12 golfers? Mesquite Gaming is home to one of the best individual values in golf, the $99 Stay and Play Package.

This package offers a onenight stay at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino and one round of golf at either the CasaBlanca Golf Club or Palms Golf Club. To book your next getaway, call 877.438.2929, or book online at casablancaresort.com/golf.

Featuring 24-hour table games, race and sports book or one of more than 800 slot machines.

DINE AT KATHERINE’S STEAKHOUSE AT CASABLANCA RESORT & CASINO

Voted one of the Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. three years running by OpenTable.

REJUVENATE YOUR BODY AFTER A LONG DAY ON THE LINKS

With a therapeutic massage or any other service on the full menu of spa services at the Spa and Salon at CasaBlanca.

MESQUITE GAMING OFFERS TWO EXQUISITE GOLF COURSES

The 7,036-yard, Cal Olson designed CasaBlanca Golf Club and the Palms Golf Club, which features more than 200 palm trees and an extraordinary view from the 15th hole which features a 114 foot drop from tee to fairway.

Summer Issue 2019 Volume 27 27 Volume

Number 33 Number

Publisher // President President Publisher Karl O’Keefe O’Keefe Karl

t u O e m o C y a l &P

Advertising Advertising Karl O’Keefe O’Keefe Karl

18 Hole Green Fee

Monday – Thursday any time. Friday Sunday & holidays after 1pm. Regular cart rates apply.

Not valid with other o ers, tournament/league fees or 9 hole play. Must present coupon at time of purchase.

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FREE

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Distribution Distribution Karri Lemons Lemons Karri

Copyright © © 2019, 2019, O’Keefe O’Keefe Publishing, Publishing, Inc. Inc. Reproduction Reproduction in in whole whole or or in in part part of of any any text, text, Copyright photography, graphics graphics or or illustration illustration without without advance advance written written permission permission from from the the publisher publisher photography, is prohibited. prohibited. The The views views herein herein do do not not necessarily necessarily reflect reflect those those of of DIVOT’s DIVOT’s ownership ownership or or is contributors. DIVOT DIVOT magazine magazine is is aa registered registered trademark trademark of of O’Keefe O’Keefe Publishing, Publishing, Inc. Inc. contributors.

FREE

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Business Development Development Business Kirk Hulbert Hulbert Kirk

Contact Contact 303-797-8700 303-797-8700 karl@divotmagazine.com karl@divotmagazine.com www.divotmagazine.com www.divotmagazine.com P.O. Box Box 620999 620999 P.O. Littleton, Colorado Colorado 80162 80162 Littleton,

Buy 1 Get 1

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Book your tee time for Fox Hollow or Homestead at LakewoodGolf.org.

WISH YOU WERE HERE.

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Present this coupon for 2019 specials Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course 1480 Golf Course Road • 970-586-8146 July 1 - August 29: $65 for green fee & cart (Sunday - Thursday after 12 p.m.)

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golfestes.com Not valid on holidays and special events. One coupon per customer. No cash value.

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New Product

Simply Putting Delivers Unparalleled Golf Experience With the Launch of Pro Putt Mobile App Simply Putting, a mobile app that propels technology innovation within golf, announces the launch of Pro Putt. A competitive system within the Simply Putting app, Pro Putt gives fans a true taste of the sport and offers users the chance to putt against professional golfers during televised golf tournaments. By merging the virtual and real world, this marks the first time a mobile app will interact with a televised golf event in real time.

The Pro Putt feature will launch in time for the 2019 United States Open Championship, scheduled to be played June 13–16 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. Users will have their choice of competing against any of the professional golfers in the tournament at the course’s most iconic 7th and 17th holes.

“Pro Putt gives golfers of every level a chance to truly connect with the game and appreciate what pros endure as they putt some of the sport’s toughest courses,” says Ryan Engle, Founder and CEO of Simply Putti]ng. “There is no better feeling in golf

than sinking a putt and we’re happy to bring that sense of elation to fans as they compete against their favorite professionals on the world’s stage.”

Built for iOS mobile devices, Simply Putting uses easy controls and compelling graphics to help enhance the putting experience and master one of the most unique aspects of the game. Innovative and visually stimulating, users are placed in a 3-Denhanced environment of an actual golf course. Arrows on the slopes depict contours of the green and virtual lines that represent the path of the ball are incorporated with ball physics to deliver a realistic user experience.

“Putting becomes complicated because generally, you spend the least amount of time practicing, but it’s the quickest way to improve a score,” says Jason Clevering, President of Simply Putting. “Simply Putting removes the physical putter and ball from the equation of “practicing putting” and brings golfers a rich user experience that makes it feel like you’re actually put-

ting on the green. You can practice putting anytime and anywhere.”

In addition to improving a player’s putting game on and off the course, Simply Putting stokes friendly competition with a competition system that allows users to earn “putt coins” by challenging friends and entering multiplayer putting matches. Putt coins will also give access to a variety of digital events and global challenges that lead to invitational and qualifying rounds for major tournaments and tours.

Pro Putt, a part of Simply Putting, is available in the iTunes App store. D

Eagle Ranch Golf Club is located in the beautiful small town of Eagle, Colorado, just 30 minutes from Vail. The majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains provide a spectacular setting for this Arnold Palmer Signature Design Course. The course opened in 2001 as part of a new, master-planned residential community called Eagle Ranch. With the addition of the golf course and other fantastic amenities such as an outdoor pool, ice rink, recreation trails and fitness center, Eagle is an idyllic place to live and play. Even with the proximity to world-class ski areas, Eagle is known for its “hole in the sky”, meaning we enjoy a long golf season from late March to early November.

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(970) 328-2882 www.eagleranchgolf.com 0050 Lime Park Drive, Eagle, CO 81631

STAY & PLAY Come play Breckenridge’s 27 hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

After a day of teeing off stay at Beaver Run Resort, nestled between mountain and Main Street.

Beaver Run Resort has everything you need for your Rocky Mountain escape.

CALL OR GO ONLINE FOR GREAT RATES!

BeaverRun.com 800.288.1282

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CHEW YOUR ENERGY, LOWER YOUR SCORE

CHEW LIKE A PRO.

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GOLF BECAUSE...

ONCE UPON A TIME SOMEONE TOOK YOU GOLFING TOO JOIN US FOR A FREE INTRODUCTORY OPEN HOUSE

See our open house schedule at CITYOFDENVERGOLF.COM/WELCOME2GOLF

Come home to play...Denver Golf is your neighborhood course!

Feature

Ladies... Are Your Golf Gloves Costing You Strokes?

You wouldn’t compromise your game by playing the wrong shaft flex, but are you sacrificing strokes by wearing the wrong sized glove?

Industry studies show half of all golfers are wearing the wrong sized glove. So, chances are, YOU are without knowing it.

Wearing a proper fitting glove is as important as playing with a fitted driver. Your glove is your only connection to your clubs. Don’t compromise it!

Until recently, there was only one standard glove sizing model for women.

Nailed Golf, a leader in the women’s golf glove industry, has created the second sizing model, which was previously overlooked.

Women’s standard size gloves are designed for women who have proportional hands, while Nailed Golf’s elongated gloves are designed for women with longer fingers or manicured nails. Both women’s sizing models have comparable palm widths specifically for the feminine hand. However, the elongated gloves have additional length on the fingers.

Men’s standard size gloves are designed for the typical male hand. Cadet gloves are designed for men who have shorter fingers coupled with wider palms.

Because of the difference in palm and finger widths, most women should NOT wear men’s gloves.

Look at your golf glove as an important piece of gear, and not solely an accessory.

Finding the proper fitting glove is vital to playing your best.

Your glove must feel like a second skin.

It should feel snug from the palm of your hand through the tips of your fingers. Ensure that there is ample space at tips for finger movement so that there is no pressure on your tips when you flex your hand.

However, you do not want excess material

at the tips of your fingers either.

Your glove should be close-fitting and lie flat on your palm with no excess bulky material. However, you must ensure it is not so snug that it is taut.

The tab can be under or over-synched up to ½ inch, to allow for room to adjust with wear. If you are between sizes, consider the smaller glove.

Your glove is your only connection to your clubs and needs to be treated like the indispensable piece of equipment it is.

Excess material on your palm will cause inconsistency in your grip and rob you of your feel. A glove too small can cause blisters and one too large can lead to chafing and blisters.

An oversized glove will cause both slippage and inconsistent shots.

A properly fitted glove will enhance your grip and swing which translate to power, distance, and consistency. It is imperative that you find the glove with optimal fit and feel.

If the standard glove sizing model doesn’t fit you like a second skin, check out the new elongated sizing model available at www.nailedgolf.com.

It’s time to find your perfect fit glove and start playing your best golf! D

“Same valley, different climate”.

Gypsum Creek is the only golf course in the valley which attracts locals and visitors to ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

Pete Dye championship 18 hole golf course with the longest season and best value around!

Open March – December (snow permitting).

Fun for the whole family!

530 Cotton Ranch Dr. Gypsum, CO 81637 970.524.6200 gypsumcreekgolf.com

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Feature

Get Fit Before You Grip and Rip

By Randy Williams DIVOT Contributing Writer

The Driver. It is the glamour piece of equipment in golf.

Where else is more R&D, where else is more science and technology continuously devoted to improving one’s game?

Titleist, Nike, Ping, Wilson, Cobra, Callaway… all the sport’s heavy hitters are big players when it comes to producing stateof-the-art drivers.

Why? Because they know no other club provides such immediate gratification as a well-stroked tee shot which correspondingly sets one up for a good score on that given hole.

Grip it and rip it, bomb down the fairway, load and explode, hit for show… the use of the driver has a lot of references but the pure adrenaline of hitting it long (and accurate), is simply one of the great joys of the game (pro or amateur).

For the average recreational golfer, perhaps more accurate than legendary Sam Snead’s maxim of “Drive for show, putt for dough”, is “If you can’t putt, you can’t score. If you can’t drive, you can’t play” for bad driving balloons up one’s score more than any other club in the bag.

"The first thing every golfer should do prior to purchasing a driver or any golf club for that matter - is to get custom fit."

On the surface, it would appear that your putter is more important since you use it for 30 to 40 of your shots on the golf course and that you use your driver usually on only 14 shots. But the way par is set-up for each hole, it takes into account the potential of you hitting the green in regulation and having two putts. Clearly, there are other ways to make par, but regardless if the given hole is a Par 3, Par 4, or Par 5, it is based on how many strokes it should take to reach the green, along with two putts. Thus, one cannot say that the 30 to 40 times you use your putter is more than twice as valuable as the 14 drives you hit. The fact is, if you’re inconsistent off the tee, your driver affects your score more than your putter.

In other words, if you compare the best putter averaging say, 1.5 strokes per green, and the worst averaging 3, he is giving up 1.5 strokes per hole, but a single handicap-

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per with his driver more often than not sets himself up well with an accurate tee shot, where as a poor driver, spraying shots off the fairway and sometimes even having to go back to the tee, rarely gets the opportunity to birdie a hole because of his poor accuracy off the tee with shots that land him in the rough or even OB potentially adding up more strokes as a result.

Of course, there is the added mental anxiety where the golfer becomes self- conscious about constantly making the others in his group have to wait while one searches for their tee shot in the woods or bushes, thus he tends to rush with his driver making things worse (or even leaves the big club in the bag).

In addition to more practice, here is where club manufacturers can lend a hand.

And, regardless of your handicap, it all starts with making the right choice when you purchase the club.

"The first thing every golfer should do prior to purchasing a driver - or any golf club for that matter - is to get custom fit," said Josh Talge, vice president of golf club marketing for Titleist. “It’s the quickest and easiest way to improve. Spend a half hour or 45 minutes with a good fitter and you will leave, not only with a driver that will

provide you more distance, accuracy and consistency, but with confidence in the fact you know you have optimized your launch conditions that will ultimately contribute to better results."

“Fitting is huge,” concurs Callaway’s Jeff Newton who adds, “Look for a driver that can help your big miss. If you’re a slicer, look for a draw model or a driver with a sliding weight. (And) you need to find a shaft that fits your game. Flex standards vary between shaft brands, so look for a weight class that gives you the highest swing speed with control.”

The need for speed with the driver is always in play and the tech-led trend continues to roll along.

Jon Claffey of Tour Edge names some of those trending innovations.

“Weight movement for self-custom fitting, hosel adjustability for loft and lie adjustment, face technology that straightens miss-hits and light weight speed all (are part) of the driver technology.”

Golf is such a game of confidence and nowhere is it more important than when you have that driver in your hands staring down at those dimples on the ball sitting on the tee.

So as you get ready to - Grip it and rip it, bomb down the fairway, load and explode, hit for show - let the mad scientists at the club manufacturers help you. D

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Plan your next round of golf at Emerald Greens Golf Club.

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597 S. Clinton St Denver, CO 80247 DIVOTMagazine.com

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One 18-Hole Round Including 1/2 Cart at

Mariana Butte for $48

Valid Mon-Fri after 12pm for each person (up to 4)

Offer Expires 10/31/19 GMBDIV19

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For your Double-Double Tee Times Call up to 21 days in advance.

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Tee Times Online at: GolfLoveland.com

Open to the Public!

Come Play the West!

27 Holes • Dining Golf Simulator • Great Views

West Woods Golf Club • West Woods Bar & Grill New Award Winning Clubhouse

720-898-7370 • www.westwoodsgolf.com • 6655 Quaker Street, Arvada, CO 80007 DIVOTMagazine.com

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Heather Gardens Executive 9-hole Golf Course.

It’s the most beautiful 9-hole public golf course you’ve never seen.

Heather Gardens Executive 9-Hole Golf Course is not just superb, it’s “out of sight” – literally out of sight. So, it’s no wonder how you may have overlooked this urban gem.

Yet, you can find it easily. It’s close to the junction of Parker Road and I-225, and near Yale Avenue.

Set in the urban enclave of Heather Gardens, this public 9-hole executive course is open to golfers, young and old, and challenges even the most talented golfer.

Heather Gardens’ traditional design is enhanced by its lush, treelined fairways, elevated greens and well-positioned bunkers. The 2,461-yard, par 32 course provides a challenging yet fair test for golfers of all skill levels.

2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora CO 80014

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Come see what you’ve been missing.

Book your tee time now.

303-751-2390

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heathergardensgolf.com

PGA professionals Stan Fenn & Doug Perry Saturday mornings on KCOL600 and iHeart Radio.

Tune in Saturday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. broadcast on radio, phones and. computers!

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Golf South Suburban

New hole #6 at Lone Tree Golf Course.

New hole #18 at South Suburban Golf Course.

New at South Suburban Golf Course! Check out the brand new green and beautiful rock wall on hole #18, and the larger and enhanced short game practice area with putting green and chipping green.

The number one handicap sixth hole at Lone Tree Golf Course has a complete new tee complex and rock retaining wall and a new green side bunker was reshaped with new sand.

Littleton Golf Course and Family Sports Golf Course both have new cart paths and landscape improvements.

ssprd.org/golf Connect with us at facebook.com/golfsouthsuburban

FALL

IS FORE GOLF Golf is even better during the fall, with cooler temperatures and less crowds. Our fall promotion is another reason to hit the links.

Purchase a special golf gift card for $100 and receive $150 in value! Use the card toward green fees, carts and the driving range at all four South Suburban golf courses.

Fall golf gift cards are on sale now at all of our pro shops.

The gift card is valid September 23 – December 31, 2019.

Featured Pro Tip

Why a club fitting is really worth it

By Sabrina Naccarato DIVOT Contributing Writer We’ve busted the myth that club fitting is just a 'fad' or 'gimmick' & prove it can have a real impact on your game.

Golf isn't an industry free of the cheeky gimmicks. If you spend enough time watching tv, reading magazines, and scrolling social media, you probably know what I'm talking about.

However, there's one thing we've heard people label a "gimmick" and we'd like to clear the air about that specific subject once and for all: Club fitting.

We've seen our fair share of haters call out club fitting as just another "fad" that doesn't really benefit the game. As we’ve said before, we’re a company rooted in facts and numbers. So, let's dive into them and show you why club fitting is the real deal and can improve your game and shave strokes off of your scorecard.

What is a club fitting?

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I’m so glad you asked! When you come into a GOLFTEC for a club fitting, we check out your current set of clubs and have you hit them to create a baseline. Then, you get to hit all new clubs.

Yes, you get to hit the latest clubs from the top equipment manufacturers. Pretty sweet.

Based on the fitter's analysis of your swing, the data from the launch monitors DIVOTMagazine.com

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Summer Issue 2019

and our own club fitting software - TECFIT - the fitter will change out heads and shafts and adjust weights to dial in the perfect settings that’ll compliment your swing.

This combination of fitter and technology, of understanding your swing and ball flight tendencies, provides a unique view of what club is the best for you.

You'll probably be surprised by the considerable distance gains you’ll see when you compare your old equipment vs. the newly optimized stuff.

Gains, gains, gains

On average, 75 percent of our students see distance gains after a driver fitting. So what about that other 25 percent? All that means is their driver was fit pretty darn well before they came in for their fitting.

However, fittings aren't all about increasing distance; focusing on accuracy is another crucial element of club fitting. If you fall into that 25 percent of students that don't gain much distance, you could benefit from tightening up your dispersion.

So, between helping you hit longer tee shots AND helping you find the middle of the fairway more often, club fitting sounds like anything but some sort of gimmick. But then again, if there's truly one way to convince anyone of the true worth of a club fitting, I'd recommend trying it out for yourself.

Sabrina Naccaratois a former DII collegiate golfer at Metro State University, Sabrina contributes to the GOLFTEC Scramble and helps facilitate GOLFTEC's social media accounts and email distribution. D

Bella Rosa Golf Course Bella Rosa Golf Course located in Frederick, CO is a 9-hole regulation golf course that opened for play in 2006. Measuring 2,974 yards from the blue tees, Bella Rosa offers something for every player.

• Opening Day Scramble, Summer Scramble & Fall Scramble events

• Three Glow-Ball tournaments

• Spring & Summer junior golf programs

• Men’s, Women’s and Couples league events

• Family Golf Day

• Individual & group golf instruction.

Book your 2019 league or golf outing!

303.678.2940 www.bellarosagolf.com

5830 Bella Rosa Parkway, Frederick, CO 80504

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Instruction

Love your misses!

By Kathleen Heiney DIVOT Contributing Writer

ONLINE STORE Find the very best Golf Deals at some of the very best Golf Courses in Colorado! divotgolfdeals.com

Take a minute and think about the last round you played. How often did you miss a shot? Meaning it didn’t go where you wanted it to go. It was thin, fat, short, right or left? Did you notice a pattern of misses?

Do you know and understand your common misses? Golf is clearly not a game of perfect shots it is a game of great misses.

Playing and teaching golf for over 40 years has taught me a lot. Not only how incredibly challenging the game is, but how often we are playing missed shots. When you think about the golf swing, it is miraculous that we can actually put a tiny clubhead square on a small ball, propel it forward 150300 yards and pray it goes where we want it to. The good news is sometimes it does and that is why we love it!

The great golf shots are what keeps us coming back. Missed shots are the ones that bring us down and create doubt and negativity during a round. A missed shot doesn’t mean a failed shot. We put so much pressure on ourselves to execute amazing golf shots,

and when they don’t occur, we are hard on ourselves. When I was a kid, my Dad always told me “Honey if you have had 3-4 GREAT golf shots in a round you have had a good round” the shots he was speaking of were the ones that went exactly as intended.

The rest were great misses!

It is imperative that we know, understand and love our misses, for those are the shots we are playing. A great way to do this is to start a performance journal. Start tracking different misses during a round.

For example, are your drives most commonly moving right? Is your short game suffering because you are using the wrong club and/or you are not familiar with your distances? Are you averaging 3 putts during a round because you are moving the ball left? These are just a few things you can start to track so that the next time you play you can start to see a pattern. Once you have established these patterns you are able to expect some of these misses and start to play them during a round.

My natural ball flight is right. The funny thing is, it has been that way since I was a kid. I often think maybe someday I can

POLE CREEK GOLF COURSE SEPTEMBER 8TH-10TH

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Kathleen Heiney is a LPGA Class A Professional, Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor. For more information please visit the following website: www.lincgolfandwellness.com. D

GOLF & WELLNESS RETREAT

MASTERING THE ART OF THE FUNDAMENTALS ONLY

draw the ball, on occasion it happens, but more often than not it doesn’t. I have learned to play the left side of the fairway just in case, so when I do miss it right it is expected and I know I can recover.

Let’s face it, it’s hard to not compare ourselves to the tour players. Watching tournaments on T.V. and focusing so much on all these amazing shots, however, what we tend to forget is that they are spending a lot of time playing missed shots and scrambling to score. The scrambling is what makes a good player a great player.

We must stop wasting so much time trying to perfect the game, because perfection does not exist. Let’s spend more time enjoying the game, playing the missed shots and scrambling to score. That is what makes golf a lifetime sport!

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The Course is home to two distinct nines. The original front 9-hole course designed by Henry Hughs was opened in the early 1920s. In the late 1960s an additional 9 holes designed by Frank Hummel was added, along with a driving range. This traditional golf course features a variety of terrain from tree-lined fairways to rolling hills and challenging greens.

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Mountain Golf

Grand County, Award-Winning Rocky Mountain Golf Courses

Pole Creek Golf Club

Grand Elk Golf Club

Admit it. We all have our favorite one or two courses near home that we play regularly, to the point where we probably seem completely predictable to our friends and family. But who doesn’t want to escape the city and head into the Colorado Rocky Mountains for a completely different, unique golf experience?

Surely the change in scenery appeals to our senses - beautiful mountains surrounding the greens, less crowded courses, and much cooler summertime temperatures lying typically in the seventies. Where can such a playground be found in Colorado?

Starting just 67 miles northwest of Denver, tucked against the west side of the Continental Divide, you’ll find Grand Links’ four courses located in Grand County - Pole Creek, Granby Ranch, Grand Elk, and Grand Lake.

Once in Grand County, you’ll discover that all the courses are within 25 minutes of each other. Yet, despite their close proximity, they are quite distinctive from one another to offer a truly unique mountain golf experience worthy of a weekend getaway or two.

Pole Creek Golf Club (6827 Co Rd 51, Tabernash): Ranked as one of Golf Advisor’s Top 50 in the U.S. in 2018. Pole Creek is one of the few public 27-hole courses in Colorado. This 7,107-yard course meanders through lush fields replete with native wild-

flowers, drastic elevation changes, vast bent greens, and water challenge shots over two ponds and five lakes. The Ridge nine course challenges experts to a rigorous game with 3,603-yard shots and tree-lined holes, while the mellower Meadow nine and Ranch nine indulge all playing levels. All three courses play to par 36. After capping off a round of mountain golf, enjoy the “28th Hole,” Pole Creek clubhouse’s restaurant, Bistro 28. It’s especially enjoyable to sit on the Bistro’s patio, taking in the views of the golf course and the surrounding Rocky Mountains while you enjoy dinner and drinks.

Granby Ranch Golf Course (1000 Village Rd, Granby): We invite you to experience the splendor of Granby Ranch. The 18-hole championship course features strategically placed sand traps, lakes, and ponds and is perfect for golfers of all abilities. With meandering greens and unparalleled Rocky Mountain views, the course consistently ranks as one of the top mountain golf courses in the state. In addition to Granby Ranch’s golf course, the resort also offers scenic chairlift rides (Wed-Sun 10am5pm), hiking and cross-country mountain biking, and for those seeking adrenaline rushes, the thrill of downhill biking on a variety of trail difficulties. Nearby Granby Ranch Grill is open for lunch and dinner.

Grand Elk Golf Club (1300 Ten Mile Dr, Granby): Named one of “America’s

Granby Ranch Golf Course

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Best New Public Courses” by Golfweek Magazine in 2005. Inspired by the British Isles with its low-lying vegetation and rolling terrain, Grand County’s only “Heathland” style golf course showcases the rugged natural beauty you’d expect to find in Colorado. It is designed to challenge the imagination and creativity of the finest golfers by using the rolling terrain and natural contours to influence shotmaking. At an elevation of 7,925 feet, the front nine plays through rolling terrain where native sagebrush is abundant and the back nine plays along valley wetlands and wildlife habitat. Each hole and the Grand Elk Grille have breathtaking Continental Divide vistas. Rather than the usual golf cart, why not try one of Grand Elk GolfBoards for a twist on your round?

Grand Lake Golf Course (1415 Co Rd 48, Grand Lake): This is classic and quintessential Rocky Mountain golf at its best.

Grand Lake’s beautifully maintained course designed by Dick Phelps with rolling fairways and subtle greens surrounded by lodgepole pines, aspens, and colorful native flora, offers a world-class setting with panoramic views of snow-capped mountains even into July and also Rocky Mountain National Park. Moose, elk, deer, fox, chipmunks, and squirrels are often spectators during a round and add to a memorable, unique mountain golf experience.

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Summer Issue 2019

The course is located minutes from the quaint mountain town, Grand Lake, complete with its wooden boardwalks where you can browse the shops and galleries, dine at a variety of restaurants, and then take in an evening play at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.

When not enjoying the splendor of Grand Links’ four courses, there are endless other summer activities to enjoy while in Grand County - alpine slide rides and other family-fun at Winter Park Resort, water sports on the lakes near Grand Lake, hiking and mountain biking on over 600 miles of trails, fishing the Fraser and Colorado Rivers, horseback riding to the top of the Continental Divide, hot air balloon rides overlooking the Fraser River Valley and Rocky Mountains, scenic drives and hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, shopping in the towns of Grand Lake and Winter Park, and spectacular dining, ranging from casual to fine dining, throughout the county.

Might you be looking for lodging during your getaway? You can stay in a beautiful course-side condo or a townhome, cabin, or luxury home in any of the nearby towns of Winter Park, Granby or Grand Lake.

To learn more about Grand Links’ four courses, how to book your tee times, golf events, and lodging options, visit the Grand Links’ websit at www.GolfGrandLinks.com. D

TO ESTES

GRAND LAKE HWY 34

GRAND LAKE GOLF COURSE

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Cover Feature

Raccoon Creek Golf Course, a Colorado Original

By Rhett McEmma DIVOT Contributing Writer It’s not a secret Denver, its metroplex, and even its outskirts, have an abundance of really nice public golf courses. It would be silly to try and rank them all in an objective way. Will your lineup be based on beauty, amenities, convenience, playability? Regardless of the criteria, Raccoon Creek Golf Course, 7301 West Bowles Avenue, south of Denver, in Littleton, deserves a spot on the list.

Raccoon Creek Golf Course is a privately owned public course which even 36 years after its opening is still thought by some to be a country club. In some ways the confusion is understandable.

As soon as you turn off of Bowles Avenue onto the property, you’re heading down a tree lined path where suddenly you’ve lost sight of the suburban setting you'd just been navigating and now

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you’ve been transported onto a 19th century Colorado farm, or ranch, with multiple small outbuildings, a granary, oh look there’s a barn, and ranch hands and...wait, those aren’t ranch hands, those are golfers?

The golf course, designed in 1982 by acclaimed golf architect, Dick Phelps was built on land with a Colorado history dating back to 1878 when the state’s eventual 3rd Governor, James B. Grant, purchased the property to use as a gun and sporting club. Since then the property has been farmed and ranched, there was even a time the land was used to stable race horses, including its most famous guest, Granville, the 1936 horse of the year and grandson of the legendary, Man Of War. Phelps task was to embrace this beautiful, pastoral, piece of property that possessed gorgeous scenic views and was already home to multiple ponds, lakes, trees, and the meanderSummer Issue 2019

ing, Coon Creek, and to use all of those tools to create a test of golf usable for all levels of golfer, but still noticeably more challenging than most public courses. Success!

Because of the inherent beauty of its surroundings Raccoon Creek has long been a favorite site for weddings, parties, and special events. Committed to upgrades to all of the facilities over the

past 5 years, Raccoon Creek has taken another step towards becoming a truly top notch choice for all kinds of private, company, and corporate, outings. The revamping of the The Barn has given General Manager, Don Allen, and all of his awesome staff at Raccoon Creek, an ability to offer a really unique option to those in need of event accommodations, which can be held both inside and out, or a combination thereof. Rac-

Cover Feature coon Creek is now a premier spot for weddings, their receptions, and all other such important gatherings.

In addition to The Barn, Raccoon Creek’s new clubhouse which opened last year, offers The Farmhouse, an intimate bar and restaurant, which in reality can accommodate not just the 19th hole crowd, but gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and enough covered patio for a few hundred more.

This gives Raccoon Creek the ability to provide top notch accommodations and lend their expert experience to tournaments of all levels, as well as parties, meetings, classes, etc. Virtual guided tours, along with all kinds of pertinent information about these fabulous facilities is available at TheBarn@RaccoonCreek.com As for the golf course, it’s a tough par 72 track that plays 7007 yards from the tips (the black tees). It’s just under 6500 yards from the blues, and just shy of 6000 yards from the whites. The red tees are 5122 yards. A nice feature certain to cause problems with those silly golf egos are ‘Tee Recommendations’ on the score card. Those who know a lot better than us ask the men whose handicaps are scratch up to a 5 to play

the black tees, 7-12 the blues, 13 and over the white tees. Ladies recommendations are for golfers who play scratch up to a 10 handicap to play the whites, 11 and over the reds. These are merely recommended, and who among us doesn’t know more than a couple of golfers whose egos wouldn’t allow them to follow these sensible suggestions? But with Raccoon Creek, unless you have a lot of course knowledge you might want to pay attention to the guide. Also very helpful are the top notch GPS systems on all of the golf

carts. They provide all kinds of accurate, valuable information on very easy to read screens. You can really get spoiled by these quiet little caddies.

There will certainly be an abundance of water and sand hazards throughout your journey around Raccoon Creek, but the course always offers bail out opportunities where they are needed.

However to really attack you’ve got to know the smaller, harder to reach, and harder to hit areas of the fairways. The places that give you the best, some-

times only chance to go at the pin from. The greens have lots of fun undulation making them tough to get it close, and often very tough to stay below the hole. They can be tricky to read. All that being said it is a very fair course. You will be rewarded for good shots, and likely be punished for bad ones.

Sometimes though when you’re out there on Raccoon Creek one of the toughest things you have to fight is paying attention to your game. It’s just one of those places where at times you can be distracted by the surroundings. Besides the presence of history with all the old buildings scattered throughout the property, the beauty of the layout working its way around the lakes and back and forth across the creek there are also the vistas. Often throughout the round you’ll find yourself staring off in multiple directions, amazed at how the town shrunk, almost disappeared.

It’s like your just relaxing in a beautiful pasture surrounded by mountains. Raccoon Creek is definitely one of those few courses where you can struggle to keep your game together the entire round and still have a really enjoyable time. Add a happy, helpful staff to this outstanding operation and it’s easy to see why things are so unique at Raccoon Creek. D

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AT ROLLINGSTONE RANCH GOLF CLUB AT THE SHERATON STEAMBOAT RESORT

Experience one of the best courses in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A spectacular 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, features incredible views of the Yampa Valley, while Fish Creek winds its way through seven of the holes.

The 70 bunkers and large, undulating bent grass greens make this a truly championshipcaliber course to be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. For these reasons, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club received the “2019 CAGGY Winner, Best Mountain Courses in Colorado” by Colorado Avid Golfer.

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CA L L 970.879.1391 OR V ISI T rol l ing s t oner a nchgol f.COM FOR THE BEST AVA I L A B L E R AT E S

Welcome to Raccoon Creek Golf Course At Raccoon Creek, we are well aware that it is repeat customers like you who are largely responsible for our continued success in the Denver golf community.

2019 Elite Players Pass: $199 Get You Over $2,000 Value Plus $2,000 in Prize Giveaways! *This offer will be closed out at the end of July. Please contact us for additional information.

Free Benefits

Discounted Benefits

2 – Free 18 Hole Rounds (after 12:00PM, Cart Not Included) 3 – Free 9 Hole Rounds (after 4:00PM, Cart Not Included) 6 – Free Cart Rentals (after 12:00PM) 6 – Free One Hour Group Lesson Clinics

6 – 18 Hole $20.00 Rounds (after 12:00PM, Cart Not Included) 4 – 18 Hole $30.00 Rounds (Mon-Thurs Anytime, Cart Not Included) 4 – 18 Hole $40.00 Rounds (Any Day, Anytime. Cart Not Included) And Much More! Visit www.raccooncreek.com

Clubhouse Special Events: Be sure to look for special event at the Clubhouse!

• Comedy Nights • 9 & Dines • Weekly Theme Nights like our Fish Fry!”

Sunday Brunch: Join us for Sunday Brunch at the Farmhouse from 9am - 1pm! Enjoy a delicious buffet featuring all the breakfast essentials from eggs to bacon. Sip on some delicious bloody marys or mimosas while enjoying time with your friends and family!

Download Our App: Then you need the Raccoon Creek Golf App! Not only will you have access to tee times instantly, but you'll also gain access to on-course GPS, other in-app deals & rewards, club news and events, scorekeeping and much more! Visit Raccoon Rewards in your app and take advantage of great new offers.

303-932-0199 • www.RaccoonCreek.com 7301 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton, Colorado 80123 DIVOTMagazine.com

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$20 OFF Rack Rate Expires 12/31/19

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Summer Issue 2019

HOLE #1 | FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB | GOLDEN, COLORADO PHOTO CREDIT | NOY SPARKS III

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Enjoy championship golf in our spectacular mountain setting. Rounds start at just $60 with free, unlimited same-day play. Plan a weekend with our Stay, Play and Save packages and take advantage of two courses and award-wining resort amenities. All Packages include free day of arrival golf and free, unlimited same-day play with each paid round.

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