RESORT REVIEWS
Ranch and River
Courses Keep Golf
in the Forefront at Keystone Resort
For more information call (888.697.0785) or visit www.keystoneresort.com
By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer
KEYSTONE, CO -- Poor, little ole golf. At a resort that boasts world class snow skiing, boating, rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, ice skating and fly fishing, going on Mark Twain's proverbial "good walk spoiled" could be the last thing on guests' minds.
That is, unless the resort in question is home to two award-winning championship courses designed by prodigal son Robert Trent Jones Jr. and the underrated architectural team of Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Truth be told, Keystone Resort's Ranch and River Courses are so solid, so scenic, and so sought after by traveling golfers that they could easily be the singular purpose for a visit to this Rocky Mountain haven.
"A lot of our golf is driven by conferences and minigroups that are looking for a mountain resort with conference space and meeting opportunities on the greens," says Keystone Resort director of golf Steve Corneillier. "But we've become a popular golf getaway for those looking to loose the heat. Both courses peak at around 9340 feet of elevation, and our humidity runs between ten and 20 percent."
And both courses are more than worth the trek to this famous resort area located just an hour west of Denver in Summit County. Once a stagecoach station on an eastbound route into Denver, Keystone has blossomed into a world-class ski resort and a quaint, pedestrian friendly village that is the envy of city planners across the country.
The Ranch Course
The Ranch Course opened in 1980 to critical acclaim and remains one of the most highly decorated tracks in the state. The course's front nine is a high altitude version of a Scottish Links style course, winding its way through the high-meadows and sagebrush of a former Ute and Arapaho Indian Buffalo hunting ground. The back nine quickly morphs into a traditional Colorado mountain course, with awesome views of the Continental Divide, Buffalo Mountain and the Tenmile Range.
"The Ranch Course is a true test of traditional golf, and it is a test of shotmaking," Corneillier says. "The key to the Ranch Course is to be humble and pay attention to the shotmaking because there is some very strategic placement. It is narrow and there is not much room for error on the front nine. The back nine is much more forgiving, and you can attack the pins on most of the greens."
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From a slightly elevated tee box, No. 5 calls for 150 yards of carry over a gaping ravine of native sagebrush to a shallow green protected by deep bunkers on the left. And the hole is not without a bit of history as well: the wooden sheds behind the green are the original stables from a circa 1930's cattle ranch.
After striking the fear of triple bogey in golfers for nine holes, the Ranch Course takes on a more subtle existence with a back nine that is often hit with the fashionable "player friendly" label. The 17th hole, a 414-yard par four which Jones Jr. admits to being one of his favorites, is a prelude to what is arguably the most breathtaking hole at the resort - the 519-yard par five 18th.
The 18th doesn't have the pronounced risk/reward element that is so prominent in Jones Sr.'s designs, but it does remunerate a straight, long drive with a chance to reach the green in two. Set on the banks of the nine-acre Keystone Ranch Lake and featuring unobstructed views of the Tenmile Mountains in the background, No. 18 stakes a legitimate claim to being of the state's best finishing holes.
"I would put it up against any hole," Corneillier says. "And there are some good finishing holes in this state, if you think about some of our resort courses."
The River Course
Corneillier speaks of the River Course like a proud father. A veteran Keystone Resort employee for over 25 years, he nurtured the dream-to-reality project with a vision of environmental stewardship that ultimately translated into a remarkable golf course -- one that could very well become one of the greatest mountain layouts in the U.S.
"Our goal was to make this golf course appear as if it was air-lifted in," says Corneillier. "We didn't want the golfer to see any disturbance to the landscape. There's a breathtaking view from every hole."
The Resort's vision led to the selection of Hurdzan and Fry after an extensive interview and screening process. The Columbus, Ohio based duo are known worldwide for their environmentally-sensitive approach to design and Hurdzan holds a doctorate degree in environmental science -- an educational background that came in handy as the design team negotiated its way around a plethora of environmental restrictions.
"There are hiking and biking trails on the perimeter of the
course, and there were fishing corridors to access the Snake River
we couldn't cross," says Corneillier. "And one of the
biggest issues is that we have an Elk migration route that goes
through the front nine. If you are out early enough, you are likely
to see some Elk, or a least their footprints."
While Corneillier refers to the two courses as brother and sister, he's quick to point out that they are by no means identical twins. The River Course was designed with the resort guest in mind, and wide landing areas and mammoth greens are tempered only by bold fairway mounding and deep greenside bunkering.
"We wanted our guests and our members to be able to say that they shot the lowest score of their life or that they made their first birdie out there," Corneillier says of the River Course. "You will not be beat up, but there is still some strategy involved."
That strategy, he adds, is to aim for the front of the putting surface and let the ball roll back to the flagstick. Whereas the Ranch Course has plenty of space behind its greens, the River Course's routing along (and even through) the Snake River limited the amount of bailout area that Hurdzan and Fry could provide as a safety net for average golfers. High handicappers need not worry, though, as the majority of the course's greens are open in the front, sloped back to front, and generally quite receptive to an old school bump-and-run mentality.
"Unlike many of today's modern course, target golf is not the way to go here," Corneillier says.
The River Course measures 6,886 yards from the black tees and
plays to a par 71. The course's price tag came in around $12 million
and the provision of five to six sets of tees allow any level
of golfer to enjoy the layout. The River Course is also sneaky
sandy, with 74 bunkers that range from ornamental to penal. Since
it's opening, this Hurdzen/Fry gem has become the more popular
of the two courses.
But Corneillier says that the Ranch Course will always be able to hold its own.
"Right now, with the River Course being new, it is all the rage," he says. "But some of our members and repeat visitors always come back to play the Ranch Course. The River Course still has that new feel to it, and it has grassed up so well."
Ranch or River, whichever your pleasure may be, Corneillier says there's one thing to remember when playing either course.
"Take a slower backswing, so you don't get winded up here," he says, laughing. "But really, people find that they need one to two clubs less here because we are higher than 99.9 percent of the courses they have ever played. Factor in the super low humidity and you'll be hitting some 150-yard pitching wedge shots."
The golf season at Keystone Resort typically runs from mid May
to October 13th. The first big snow of the season usually falls
during the second week of October, and guests will find the fairways
of the River Course converted to cross country ski slopes.
The Vitals
The River Course
155 River Course Drive
Keystone, CO 80435
Telephone: 970-496-4444
Website: www.keystone.snow.com/sa.golf.river.asp
The Ranch Course
1239 Keystone Ranch Road
Keystone, CO 80435
Telephone: 970-496-4250.
Website: www.keystone.snow.com/sa.asp
Where to Dine
The Ski Tip Lodge was not only a stagecoach stop, but was used as the very first ski lodge by founders Max and Edna Dercum when the ski lifts opened in the 1940s. In 1947, Edna realized a great way to open the doors was to attach broken ski tips as handles. She collected them from Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. Today it offers a four-course dining experience. Entree choices include beef, lamb, fish, wild game birds and veal. Enjoy dessert and coffee in the living room in front of the fireplace or on the patio overlooking the river. Call 970-496-4386 or 800-354-4FUN for required reservations.
The Keystone Ranch Restaurant is in the same building as the Ranch Course Clubhouse. This former 1930s ranch log homestead is rated AAA Four Diamonds. It has been heralded "as quite possibly the finest ski resort restaurant on earth" by US News and World Report magazine. The Ranch offers a six-course dinner highlighted by "Wild West" ingredients -- wild game, elk, venison and fowl. Meals end with desserts served by a fireplace in the living room of the old homestead, overlooking the Rockies and the Ranch Golf Course. Call 970-496-4386 or 800-354-4FUN for reservations.
Directions
From Denver, Keystone is located 90 miles west from Denver International Airport. Take I-70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to Dillon, exit 205. Continue six miles east on U.S. Highway 6. Or you can take scenic Loveland Pass (U.S. Highway 6) by getting off at exit 216 (just east of the Eisenhower Tunnel). To reach Keystone this way, continue west on U.S. Highway 6 for 15 miles up and over Loveland Pass and the Continental Divide.
Stay and Play Specials
Keystone Resort's is currently offering a stay and play package for the 2002 golf season that includes includes deluxe lodging, 18 holes of play and a complimentary Mountain Passport. The Mountain Passport features free activities like mountain bike clinics, yoga, guided hikes and wine tasting.
Golf "Stay & Play" packages start at $122 per person in the spring and fall; and $154 per person, from June 28 through Sept. 22.
For more information call (888.697.0785) or visit www.keystoneresort.com
