Ute Creek
Golf Course Has Got the Greens

By Lynn Zmistowski
Rockiesgolf.com Course Reviewer

June 24, 1999

LONGMONT, Colo. - Attention, public golfers. I have found a course moderately priced with bent greens that are in excellent condition and stimp about 9 feet. You will have to drive to Longmont to find this gem, but the new Ute Creek Golf Course (located about 3 miles north of Fox Hill Country Club) has the greens we've all been looking for.

I haven't had a chance to play all the public courses in the area this Spring (obviously), but I have been able to play many of them and it seems like all the public courses are proudly sporting poannea greens.

Most of the courses have been not cutting the greens short enough and consequently we have been stuck putting on bumpy greens that are stimping about 8 feet or less.

Fortunately, Ute Creek has quality greens and it is definitely worth the drive. Simply head up I-25 to the Fox Hill exit (which is Colorado 119, Longmont exit) and turn north when you can (drive about 3 miles) to the 17th and the course will be there. The course is a Robert Trent Jones II.

The powers that be have done just about everything right at Ute Creek. They selected a golf course architect that has a reputation for doing good work. And Robert Trent Jones II did a great job on an otherwise boring piece of land (it looks like they converted a bunch of fields into a golf course). Ute Creek has four sets of tees ranging from 5509 to 7167 that is a pretty good range and every golfer can find a length that definitely will challenge his/her skills.

The fairway landing areas are generous, but if you aren't capable of hitting a drive on a 40-yard wide fairway, most of the time you will be penalized. The main feature of Ute Creek is the bunkers - they are numerous, well placed, and deep. In addition to the bunkering, water comes into play (quite distinctly) on six holes.

But the greens are a dream come true for the public golfer in Colorado. They are perfect!

The greens superintendent (Brett Lockard) should be on the top of many of the country clubs' list of guys to hire. This guy can do what greens superintendents are supposed to be able to do; this guy can grow grass. The entire course (which is only a few years old) is gorgeous; no bare spots, no messes, nothing. Pure and simple, country club conditions!

What does it cost for this gem? $30 if you don't live in Longmont. That is a deal! The players at Ute Creek are golfers - they play the course in about four hours so pace of play is also perfect.

The clubhouse is nice (and small), and they have a nice pro shop and snack bar. The service is okay. It seems like they have a bunch of mature guys working there and they may take a little time to collect your money (trying to figure out which button to push on the computer), but they are certainly very pleasant and helpful. You may walk this golf course, and it is a very easy golf course to walk.

My rating (on scale of 1 to 10, 10 is best) is a 7.5. I think the holes are well designed, fun to play, challenging, and the maintenance is excellent.

For a tee time call (303) 776-7662.