Birdies & Bogeys: Golf Courses in Delta, Montrose, Ridgway
Mark Twain may or may not have said that golf is a good walk spoiled, but then he didn’t have views of the San Juans on one of his “walks.” In the Uncompahgre River Valley, we have five fantastic golf courses available to the public, three of which are available year-round.
Black Canyon Golf Course - Montrose
Owned by the City of Montrose, the Black Canyon has always been open, accessible, and affordable to the public. It's a classic course that dates back to 1959 and features two distinct styles from the front to the back. The front nine is a par 34 "park style" design by Joe Francese, while the back nine is a much more challenging "links-style" par 36 designed by Byron Coker . One beloved feature is the option to play the front four holes for five bucks. Perfect for those days when you want only a little action. Incredible views of the San Juan Mountains are a bonus.
Devil's Thumb Municipal Golf Course - Delta
One oft-overlooked course in the area is the Devil's Thumb, in Delta. An 18-hole municipal course, it sits in the shadow of Grand Mesa and has panoramic views of the mountains surrounding the valley. The wonderful contrast between the yellowish desert of the area and the bright green fairways makes it feel like you are playing on the moon, albeit on wonderfully manicured grass. With sixty bunkers, two lakes, and no houses around the course, there is little chance of being spotted slicing your way home. Architect Rick Phelps designed this as a "prairie-style" course to be open 365 days a year with fast fairways.
The Bridges Golf & Country Club - Montrose
A Jack Nicklaus-designed, links-style course that offers something for every skill level, this course also offers amazing views of the San Juans. Besides the spectacular views, the course offers some pretty exciting and challenging features. There are four sets of tees ranging from 5,380 to over 7,200 yards on the par 71 layout so you can pick a skill level that best suits your game. The split fairway on the third hole is a favorite.
The Links at Cobble Creek - Montrose
Just south of Montrose, the 18-hole links-style layout at Cobble Creek is open year round. Boasting ten lakes and a creek that winds through the course, expect at least a little bit of water around every hole. The greens are huge and curvy and the bunkers are well placed. The pro shop is headed up by Kala Rusk, a local and former CO state champion.
Divide Ranch and Club - Ridgway
Divide Ranch and Club has a semi-private, 18-hole course that has perhaps the best views of the San Juans. Sitting on top of Log Hill Mesa, it’s one of the most beautiful and unique courses in the state. The course starts by facing the peaks, follows a loop through pinon and junipers across the mesa and back to the lodge. Wildlife and undisturbed natural beauty are in abundance at this course. It’s a par 72 with 7,039 yards of challenging play, and was designed by Brian Coker.