Breckenridge Golf Course - A Muni to Contend With

By Shane Sharp
Regional Staff Writer

June 14, 1999

BRECKENRIDGE, CO -- Breckenridge appeals to people for a variety of reasons. For big skiers, the "Ridge" is a fine place to strap on the sticks and get nasty, and this mountain town is no where near as pretentious as Vail.

For hikers and bikers, the Ridge is beautiful in the summertime, and its wears attract hordes of ecotourists ready to prove that they can deal with the intimidating altitude and enticing microbrews.

But golf? Yes, the Ridge has the links too, and check this out - Colorado's humble heaven sports a premier Jack Nicklaus designed tract that can hold its own with any course in the state. So will you have to pull off your shirt and give it to the starter, or perhaps sell your wife and kids to play at this fine set of links?

Greens fees aren't cheap, but they aren't ridiculous. The Breckenridge Golf Course just happens to be the Golden Bear's only municipally owned layout. Too good to be true? Sure, but so is Coors Field and its still exists. And just as the Bandbox in Denver creates its own offense, the Breckenridge Golf Course's 9000 feet of elevation can make even a "can of corn" like drive appear to be a deep drive to center field.

Head Professional Erroll Miller explains just how the heady town of Breckenridge was able to nab an exclusive Golden Bear design on the tax payers tab.

"The biggest thing for us was that back when the town contracted with Nicklaus, he was still affordable," says Miller. "The town had a lot of foresight and knew what the name meant to golf."

What it has meant is some considerably prestigious awards, namely:

No. 12 by Golf Digest: America's Top State Golf Courses 1997-98
No. 14 by Golf Digest: America's Top State Golf Courses 1995-96
No. 49 by Golf Digest: Top 75 Upscale Courses 1996

With Thomas Jefferson-like pragmatism and Ben Franklin like frugality, the Town of Breckenridge has incrementally implemented its Nicklaus gem. The first nine holes opened in 1985, and the back nine was added in 1987 to complete the deal. And as Miller quickly points out, there is another Nicklaus nine under construction at the time of this writing - scheduled to open this August as a teaser before the season draws to a close.

In terms of demand, Breckenridge Golf Course can make even the ski lifts jealous - well, almost. Miller lets it be know that over 23,000 rounds are played amidst the pines and lakes of this Nicklaus specialty. That is, 23,00 rounds in under 120 days.

If you've never been to Breckenridge, or Colorado for that matter, you may think that most of the courses sports hilly terrain and pine tree lined holes. Well, for you generalists, you are somewhat right. But Breckenridge Golf Course is a primer in Rocky Mountain flora and fauna, as Miller is quick to point out.

"Some holes are lined by lodgepole pines, where other holes play through native grasses," says Miller. "Other holes even play through wetlands - the course has such exquisite scenery. The back side is more serene, as it is set back away from the roadways and has more wetlands and active beaver ponds. The greens on the 12th and 13th are set next to the beaver ponds."