Adobe Creek National Golf Course: Tons of Golf, Little Price

By Michael Hunsinger
Rockiesgolf.com Course Reviewer

July 12, 1999

FRUITA, Colo. - Situated along the Colorado River Valley, just west of Grand Junction, is Adobe Creek National Golf Course. With the shadows of the Rocky formations of the Colorado National monument, the warmer temperatures of the river valley are a wonderful place to play golf and enjoy the scenery.

Adobe Creek was built in 1991 by Mr. Ned Wilson, who is the present day superintendent. Green fees are $17 for weekdays and $24 for weekend. Golf carts are extra but not mandatory, which I can appreciate, since I enjoy walking a course.

We were hosted by general manager Greg Finch and his friendly service staff. The clubhouse and 19th hole facilities are nicely laid out, and substantial for our needs The pro shop offered golfing equipment, accessories, and items for all our needs.

The driving range was in good shape and offered the normal pin distances for practice. I felt the the putting practice green to be a little small, when more than 10 people were on it at a time. I found too many people having to practice in the same area. An area for chipping practice would be a nice addition.

Before talking about each hole individually, I will talk about my overall impression of the course. The fair ways were in great shape with a nice tight cut. Most fair ways are wide and forgiving. But if you miss the fairway, the rough is rough. The rough is fair and well kept, but it's like it should be, punishing. Over all these parts of the course from tee to green are well maintained and in excellent shape.

Being an honest golf reviewer, I have to give the greens a sub-par scores. Even though it was obvious the greens had been recently aerated, the long playing season and heavy usage have taken a toll on them. Anything over ten feet was a guess which way the ball would bounce and end up.

We played in early June and I fell this was a late time to be aerating the greens in such a warm climate. I expected to see the course in top shape by early June. I would like to see more attention paid to improving the playing shape of the greens.

There are four sets of tees, allowing for all levels of abilities to test their skills. Numbers one through four are good opening holes with the opportunities for scoring. Number five is a 549-yard par 5, with lots of trouble on all sides. The hole is a long dogleg left with water and marshlands on both sides.

Hole six is a 164-yard par 3, which can play much longer if the southerly wind are blowing. Their is water on the right, so don't hit that high and right shot into the wind, like me. Holes seven and eight are scoring holes to be taken advantage of. No. 9 is a 400-yard par 4, with sand bunkers in spots to cause trouble. A good tee shot is important on this log par four.

On the back nine, No. 10 is a slight dogleg left with an opportunity to start with a good score. No. 11 is the signature hole and will be discussed in detail. No. 13 is an interesting hole with Adobe Creek coming into play on the tees shot. There are opportunities to go for it or lay up. This always causes the mind to overload; decisions, decisions, decisions.

Number 14 is a 426-yard par 4, which is a monster hole for most amateurs. There is a very large grass bunker in front of the green. A bogey 5 is a good score on this difficult par four. #16 is a chance to pick up a stroke on this 478 yd, par 5. You will need it going into 17 and 18. Number 17 is a 400-yard par 4, and 18 is a 435-yard par 4. Both holes are long and difficult. Take a deep breath and try to finish strong, these holes can really bite you if you are tired and not concentrating.

I found Adobe Creek to be a lot to of great golf at an affordable price. The facilities were nice and the staff was knowledgeable and courteous. Even though the greens were a little sub par, the course was an enjoyable golf experience, and the price was definitely right .

Adobe Creek signature hole
No. 11, 577-yard par 5

This par 5 offers many ways of playing the hole due to the numerous water hazards and the distance of your shots. The hole is a dog leg left with a large duck pond situated on the left corner of the dog leg. At the left corner of the green, is the edge of another small pond, which may cause trouble for wayward shots to the green.

Even though there is no water down the right side of the fairway, the rough is tough, untamed, and full of the trouble. The green is narrow and long, making the pin placement part of your club selection for your approach shots.

Adobe Creek National Golf Course
General Manager: Greg Finch
Superintendent: Ned Wilson
Fees: $17 weekdays/ $24 weekends
Carts: not mandatory
Address : 876 18 1/2 Road
Telephone: 970-858-0521
Fruita, Co. 81521