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Applewood Golf Course |
Applewood Golf Course:
A Neighborhood Course
By Diana Rowe Martinez,
Regional Staff Writer
GOLDEN, Colo. - A few short minutes from I-70 and Youngfield exit
you'll find the public Applewood Golf Course set in the middle of
a pleasant Golden residential area. Owned by Coors and managed by
American Golf, Applewood was once a part of the private Rolling
Hills Golf Course, built in the 1950's by architect Press Maxwell.
American Golf Club offers annual membership with a frequency discount program available at these local courses: Applewood in Golden, Eagle Golf Club in Broomfield, Park Hill Golf Club in Denver, and Thorncreek Golf course in Thornton. You don't have to a be a member to golf at these courses, but members do get the benefits of hard-to-beat green and cart fees. My initial impression is that Applewood caters to the locals, and they do it well, making everyone feel at home. The friendly staff greeted golfers by name, as they passed by outside the Pro Shop or in the restaurant. The restaurant is more like a small diner, which offers a breakfast menu as well as hot and cold sandwiches, and beverages including alcohol. The Pro Shop offered many shopping opportunities for golf clothing, accessories, and equipment. Checking in was quick and efficient, but definitely busy with a full load. The 18-hole golf course consists of 5,992 yards and is a par 71 for the men and 72 for the ladies, with two choices of tees. The 18-hole round generally takes 4 to 4 1/2 hours and is easily walked. I golfed this course at the beginning of May, after a particularly dry winter. I have noticed that the greens on many of Colorado's courses aren't in the best of shape. These are no exception and tend to be rough, sandy and bare, from the fairways to the greens. The first hole starts off just off the Pro Shop and faces North. It is a straight and short par 4. Too far right puts your ball on the driving range. Hole #2 is a short par 3, water to the right, and #3 gives you another straight shot, par 4. Finally at #4, you're presented with a par 5, straight, but with a slight dogleg left. The next hole (5), par 4, gives you a bit more of a challenge with a lake and OB with barb wire on the right just before the slight right dogleg. Hole #6 is a straightforward par 4, dogleg left. As with most of these holes, if you stay in the fairway, you have a pretty straight shot. Outside of that will be rocky, bare or thick rough, making it difficult to set up for the green. Number 7's par 5 offered a sharp dogleg left with water and trees on the right, and a drainage ditch directly in front of the green. Hole #8, a par 4, has a sharp dogleg left with water on the right. Your best bet here is to lay up straight at the big tree, then hit a shot up the hill to the green. Watch for trees and homes on the right and a sloping hill to the left. Applewood's signature hole is #9, a 3 par 177 yards for the men/96 for the ladies, over water, with not a lot of room for error. The view from here is incredible as this hole is situated almost on a plateau overlooking the entire golf course with the city to the right, and the mountains on the left.
Starting off the back nine is a par 4, on the east side, teeing off a ledge/plateau for the men and just below for the women, but still a straight shot. Water on the far right doesn't come into play unless you've used too many of the benefits offered by the beverage cart. Hole 11 is a 3 par with sand traps surrounding the green, requiring your approach to be right on. A par 4 comes next with another dogleg left and a fairly easy lay up, but two sand traps lay on the approach side of the green. Hole 13 is a par 4/5 for the ladies and is fairly straight with water to the right. The par 3 that follows is another one across the water, followed by a long and straight par 5. Hole 16 is a bit more challenging par 5, with a fairly straight fairway, but approximately 50 yards before the green is straight uphill. The flag was to the right this time, but directly in front are sandtraps and two tall cottonwoods. The round finishes with another straight on par 3, and #18 gives you a par 4 with a slight right dogleg, but the challenge of water to the right and front of the raised green. Applewood rates are extremely reasonable. Weekday rates for green and cart fee are $34.50 and weekends are $39.50. Early bird specials, junior and senior discounts, as well as package specials with breakfast or lunch, green and cart fees and range ball buckets are available. Applewood is also a Nike Golf Learning Center, with programs for children, juniors and adults. Tee times can be made seven days in advance to (303) 279-3003. I should caution you that Applewood is not for the daring golfer looking for a challenge. The course leans more to the beginner golfer or one looking to improve his short game. Most of the holes are pretty straight with few hazards or obstructions. But golf is still golf, and if the price is right and the tee time is available, I'll golf anywhere. The price is definitely right, and for me, the location is perfect. Add that to the friendly staff at Applewood Golf Course, and this one is a neighborhood winner. Applewood Golf Club
14001 W. 32nd Ave.
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 279-3003
Pro-Laura Leszczynski
Director-Jeff Principato
Public-18 Holes / Par-71
Pro Shop
Restaurant
Driving Range
Practice Green $19.00-$21.00 |
