Yampa Valley GC: A Gem In The Heart Of Coal Country

By Pete Page
Rockies Golf Daily Staff Writer

CRAIG, Colo. - When most people think of Northwestern Colorado, either coal mining or some of the best hunting and fishing grounds in the state come to mind. Golf usually isn't what draws most visitors.

Craig, Colo., is home to Yampa Valley Golf Club. This 18-hole gem lies on the edge of town with the Yampa river coming into play on both the front and back nine. The course plays 6,548 yards from the back tees.

Yampa Valley was originally a nine-hole course but grew as the town of Craig grew. It wasn't a typical growth. "Volunteers from the Colowyo coal mine brought in the same heavy equipment used in their strip mine operation to carve out the back nine in 1986," says club pro Tom Dockstader.

In his third year now, Dockstader has seen plenty of changes. Holes 3, 5, 13, 17 & 18 have all had the tee boxes moved back and upgraded.

No. 3 was a very short dog leg left par four that could be reached from the original tee box if you could carry the huge cotton wood trees in the corner. Now the blue tee backs up to the river, requiring a straight tee shot down the narrow, tree-lined fairway. A second shot from the corner will find a very small, undulating green.

Many of your shots on both the front and back need to be straight to avoid the woods and the tall grass beneath the trees. It is not unusual to see wildlife on many of the holes. Deer and elk are often seen crossing the fairways or bedded down beneath the trees. An eagle’s nest high above the tee on No. 15 is always a treat to see. The bald eagles can often be seen either above the nest or across the river. This is one course where keeping a camera in your bag is almost a must.

Another hole that received a needed make-over was No. 13. The par four has the river on the left side of the fairway and some big trees guard the right side of the dog leg. The tee box was moved back and elevated with railroad ties. Flower containers add some color. If you've placed your tee shot well, your approach still requires accuracy. The green has a sand trap on the left front and the right rear. Cattails run along the left and right sides as well as behind. At 395 yards from the back tees, this hole, like many others, requires a some good shot placement to avoid the hazards.

The par three’s don't play very long but have enough trouble built in to keep you honest. Water or sand (or both) come into play as well as the trees. No. 11 has a large pond that runs from the tee box to the green on the right side. Sand is left and long.

The longest hole at Yampa is the par five eighteenth at 591 yards. Your tee shot must stay away from the pond that stretches down the left side of the tee boxes. The driving range is O.B. right. The green has small, deep bunkers on all four corners.

The course offers fun and challenges for all levels of golfers. It also offers some scenic beauty that isn't common to courses along the front range. It provides a glimpse of the majestic wildlife so prevalent in that part of the state. It's a well designed and maintained course that makes it worth the trip to this corner of the state.

The course always seems to be in excellent condition. Charlie Cobb, the director of golf, always insures that the fairways are well groomed and the greens hold the well-placed shots. The hundreds of trees throughout the course provide ample shade in the summer and the golden fall colors are magnificent. In spring, you may see many signs of where the deer and elk have been, as well as the last remnants of the winter's snow.

The course has always been a local favorite with players coming from Steamboat, Craig and Meeker. Even with a four hour drive from Denver, you could play this course in the early afternoon and return to Denver the same day. One big advantage to playing in this part of the state are the long daylight hours. In mid-summer, there is enough light to play well past eight in the evening.

With Haymaker opening in Steamboat, the number of players at Yampa Valley has decreased slightly, so getting a tee time there might be just a little bit easier.

There are plenty of hotel accommodations in Craig, or you can take the forty-five minute drive back to Steamboat Springs for a room. Airport facilities are available for smaller aircraft at Craig, and somewhat larger planes at the regional airport in Hayden, about twenty miles away.

The course address is 2179 Highway 394 in Craig. Their phone number is 970-824-3673. The course also features a fully equipped pro shop and restaurant.