Buffalo Run: A Nice Surprise & It Doesn't Smell Bad

By Curtis Smith
Rockies Golf Daily Analyst

On a beautiful sunny Colorado morning that we've all come to love at this time of year, I ventured out to see what all the excitement was about with one of metro Denver's newest public golf courses....Buffalo Run.

After almost getting lost for lack of signage off of I-76, my partner and I finally arrived at what appeared to be a wonderful setting and experience for our first rounds of the year.

After dropping off our bags (no service here), we sauntered into the pro shop to check in. As if we caught the pro shop assistant by surprise, he finally got our foursome checked in, and we made our way to the practice facility.

High marks here for the setting, layout and opportunities to warm up on all aspects of the game before heading for the 1st Tee. I also noticed that for a public golfing facility, it was a good - sized practice ground....plenty of room to accommodate even the busiest of weekends. Another nice surprise was the spikeless requirement - which will help preserve the young greens.

After hitting a small bucket and a few putts, it was time to set the season into motion. One of our playing partners who had played the course recently mentioned that there was an honor system for tee off. No glaring, loud announcements on a public address system to call people to the tee (nice touch here - and again a surprise for a municipal course).

The setting for Buffalo Run is quite pleasant. Far removed from any commercial distractions, and in the middle of rural farmland, you feel a long ways from Denver. Beautiful views of the snow capped Front Range catch your gaze on just about every hole. And, without much wind, the perfect weather conditions weren't hampered by any downwind stench from Commerce City factories.

On the first tee, I noticed a trademark of Buffalo Run that was actually quite helpful throughout the round. There is a tall, striped post that is unobtrusively placed in the middle of each fairway to serve as a 150 marker, as well as an aim for the tee shot. This was truly a nice touch, particularly for those golfers playing BR for the first time.

#1 - Head'n Out: A straightaway 394 yard par 4 that really serves as a good hole to get things started. Nothing tricky here, except to watch for the green side traps that come into play on the second shot.

#2 - Waterin' Hole: One of the best birdie chances on the course. A straightaway 520 yard par 5 that tests long drives to the left side with well placed water hazards and a sloping green.

The greens had just been top dressed, and were of course a little sandy and hard. But, surprisingly they putted very well and true. Under better conditions, I would expect these greens to roll wonderfully.

#3 - Sharp - shooter: A straightaway 377 yard par 4 that has a reachable fairway bunker that definitely comes into play. Otherwise, not much trouble to contend with.

#4 - Creek-side: An uphill 181 yard par 3 that appears to play much longer than it does. This could be considered one of the secondary signature holes.

A babbling brook runs up the middle of the fairway from tee to green that not only spells beauty - but trouble if you come up short. A great golf hole.

#5 - Wooden Nickel: A long 437 yard par 4 that plays straight away with traps that guard the left side of the fairway.

#6 - Long Trail: A long but wide-open 580 yard par 5 that carries a blind tee shot into the snow capped mountain view. Undulating fairways help with the distance, but compensate only slightly for the smallish sloping green.

#7 - Hill-side: A straight away 198 yard par 3 with a well placed greenside bunker that guards the right side.

#8 - Buffalo Holler: A straight away 407 yard par 4 that requires a drive over a sizable marsh area with accuracy - as well-guarded fairway bunkers come into play on both sides of the landing area.

#9 - Chili Bowl: A challenging 447 yard par 4 (that plays like a par 5) awaits your every move. Long and straightaway, this one requires two great shots to even give you a chance at par.

Just like a film critic doesn't want to give away the ending to a great film, I'll save the back nine for your own experience, with the exception of the 18th ... which is Buffalo Run's signature hole ....

#18 - Head'n In - A 526 yard par 5 - this is without question the most interesting hole on the course - next to #4. The hole plays downhill off the tee. A lake on the left and wetlands on the right require accuracy off the tee and on the second shot. The sloping and undulating fairway moves the ball dramatically from right to left. A fantastic finish....

All is all, the round at Buffalo Run was a pleasant experience. I give the course high marks for the course conditions, for the yardage and target markers and for the overall setting and layout of the course. Comparable to other public courses in the area (and for the cost), this is a tough facility to beat. On the flipside, I thought that the course design perhaps had too many straightaway holes even for a links style course.

Rockies Golf Daily Grade: B+

Buffalo Run Golf Course
15700 E. 112th Avenue
Commerce City, Colorado 80022
(303) 289 - 1500

Course Architect: Keith Foster
PGA Professional: Ted Parker

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