Numerous Colorado golf courses make the grade in recent national and international rankings
By Gary Baines – 1/20/2023
Many of Colorado’s golf courses may be covered by snow — some or a lot — but that hasn’t kept quite a few of them from garnering accolades from national and international publications in recent months.
Several major media outlets produce their own course rankings, which can be very generalized or more specialized.
For instance, a whopping eight Colorado courses made their way onto Golfweek’s list of the top 200 residential courses in the U.S., with Colorado Golf Club in Parker (fifth) and Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock (12th) cracking the top dozen. It should be noted that CGC will be the second course for the stroke-play portion of this year’s U.S. Amateur that Cherry Hills is hosting, and that Castle Pines GC will be home of the 2024 BMW Championship on the PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Colorado facilities appear four times on Golfweek’s ranking of the top 200 resort courses. There are two local layouts on Golf.com’s list of the top 100 courses in the U.S. And there’s one on SI.com’s rundown on the best renovations, restorations and new golf courses from 2022.
Here’s are the specifics, with the Colorado courses making the various lists being added to the notation of the top pick regardless of location:
Castle Pines Golf Club.
Golfweek’s Top 200 Residential Courses in the U.S. (published on Jan. 10)
1. Wade Hampton Club in Cashiers, N.C. (opened in 1987)
Colorado Courses
5. Colorado Golf Club in Parker (opened in 2006)
12. Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock (opened in 1981)
67. Glacier Club (Mountain Course) in Durango (opened in 2004)
74. Frost Creek in Eagle (opened in 2007)
82. Redlands Mesa Golf Club in Grand Junction (opened in 2001)
129. Ravenna in Littleton (opened in 2007)
134. Aspen Glen in Carbondale (opened in 1997)
175. Cherry Creek Country Club (opened in 2002)
For the entire list, CLICK HERE.
Golfweek’s Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S. (Published Jan. 9)
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif. (opened in 1919)
Colorado Courses
64. Red Sky (Fazio Course) in Wolcott (opened in 2002)
75. The Broadmoor (East Course) in Colorado Springs (opened in 1918)
134. Red Sky (Norman Course) in Wolcott (opened in 2003)
170. The Broadmoor (West Course) in Colorado Springs (opened in 1918)
For the entire list, CLICK HERE.
Golf.com’s Top 100 Courses in the U.S. (published Nov. 8)
1. Pine Valley in Pine Valley, N.J. (opened in 1913)
Colorado Courses
31. Ballyneal in Holyoke (opened in 2006)
88. Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village (opened in 1922)
For the entire list, CLICK HERE.
SI.com’s Best Renovations, Restorations and New Golf Courses from 2022 (published Dec. 30)
Landmand Golf Club in Homer, Neb. (Best New Public Course)
Colorado Course
Best New Public Course-Silver Medal: RainDance National in Windsor, the longest course in North America at 8,463 yards from the tips (according to the scorecard). It opened in July.
For all of SI.com’s picks in this category, CLICK HERE.
About the Author: Gary Baines owns and operates ColoradoGolfJournal.com