By Lilliam Larsen
For a Floridian, a golf course that charges $89 in high
season is a bargain. And we knew that in high altitudes, golf balls fly further and straighter. Therefore, during a recent stay at Winter Park in Grand County, Colorado, we could not
resist an invitation to play at Pole Creek which is just 10 minutes away.
Pole Creek Golf Course is one of very few public 27-hole golf courses in Colorado. It has received several awards,
including Zagat Best Places to Play and rated as one of the top 75 public golf courses by Golf Digest. It describes itself as a "mountain course" but we would describe it as a very hilly course with beautiful
mountain and forest views. There are very scenic views of the famous Continental Divide.
My husband, Larry and I played the Meadows/Ranch combination of 18 holes, the easiest layout
according to Mary Moynihan, pro shop manager. Designed by Denis Griffiths, the course winds through stands of lodgepole pine, valleys, meadows and a variety of lakes positioned strategically as water hazards.
We arrived at 8:30 am for our 9:30 tee
time and since we had time, we enjoyed a very good breakfast burrito and coffee in the restaurant. Then we headed for the practice range to warm up. It was a chilly 50 degrees!
We were originally paired up with
another couple but they didn't show up at the appointed tee time so we played by ourselves. We don't mind playing with others, but in this case it was probably good that we were on our own.
We studied the scorecard for the first 9 holes. Four of the 9 holes on the Meadows layout offered water challenges, mostly creek beds that were hidden by low bushes or rocks.
We knew we would have to watch out and pay close attention to where our balls landed.
The first hole was an indication of the challenge ahead. Described on the scorecard as a "warm up" hole,
it certainly was true! Straight and up the hill at seemingly a 45-degree angle! Fortunately, the altitude of the course, at just over 8,000 feet, helped our game. Our balls were
straight and long on most of the holes.
I said most of the holes. #2 was my worst hole ever. Tee shot should favor the right side, but my ball paid no attention. It landed in the bunker, and from then on the entire hole went downhill
(figuratively). I posted the highest score I could under USGA rules and it was less than the actual number of shots. Enough said.
On the Meadow #5, a split fairway confused us at first. We could see the
fairway straight ahead but the marker was also visible to the left, over some bushes and a creek bed. Going straight would force us to hit over
the drop area and the creek. Going left would force a blind shot. Either way, we were in trouble. Lilliam bogeyed the hole (ah, the altitude!). Larry didn't fare as well on this hole.
We had also been warned about #7, the signature hole on the Meadows.
It lived up to its reputation. A severe dogleg left, with a sloping fairway bordering a lake and dropping to a creek bed which separated a lay-up area and the green, located about 30 feet high on a hill. Even
describing this hole is a challenge! Again, a double bogey on this par 5 for me was very good. Larry lost a couple of balls.
The Ranch layout started off well. Here, five of the holes are home to
Pole Creek. Hole #1, a long 423-yard (red tees) and 557 yards from the white tees, straight par 5 resulted in a bogey for Larry and double bogey for me. Strategic shot-making was key here. We were getting it!
Ranch #2, a scenic par 3, another bogey. Things were looking up. Then we reached #4, a deceivingly difficult par 4. Bushes and a lake in front of the green required a very delicate shot short of the lake and to
the left, but we're not that good. Both balls landed in the creek behind the green. Fortunately, we were able to retrieve one ball. We were running low.
The par 3 #7 and par 4 #8 both ate our lunch. Again, the creek intervened in our plans. We hoped for bogey on both holes, but didn't get it.
Not to be outdone, the par 5 #9 hole didn't show any mercy on these tired
golfers. Climbing hills and greens, and the altitude that also helped our golf, had also taken its toll on our sea-level bodies used to flat golf course layouts. This hole is described
as "reachable" if you stay out of the wilderness area. We did explore this wilderness area in search of our golf balls. Isn't that part of the fun?
The next time we play Pole Creek, we
will develop a more strategic game plan in advance. Let's hope this helps you!
For more information on Pole Creek Golf Club, visit their website:
