Golfing in the land of sunshine
With such a variety of golf in town and more than seven months of 50-degree or warmer weather, Montrose is a perfect golf vacation destination that sees plenty of sunshine.
Montrose’s three courses — Cobble Creek, The Bridges, and Black Canyon — along with several others nearby — Delta’s Devil’s Thumb Golf Club, Ridgway’s Divide & Ranch Club, and the Telluride Golf Club and Cedaredge Golf Club in their respective towns — together attract traveling golfers to the area. Special offers encourage overnight stays so visitors can enjoy the full spectrum of golf experiences that these courses have to offer.
Testing your skills on several different courses adds appeal for a memorable golf vacation. And while all of Montrose’s three beautifully-groomed courses sport jaw-dropping views, each offers something different for players of all levels: The Bridges is a Nicklaus Design championship course, while The Links at Cobble Creek is more open off the tee with bigger greens, and the Black Canyon is shorter and narrower.
The Bridges
The Bridges features a traditional style that incorporates an abundance of native plantings, natural arroyos, rock features, lakes, waterfalls — and, of course, bridges — that wind through 400 magnificent acres in the heart of Montrose. The 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks make for a memorable and scenic round of golf. Multiple tees may vary the length of the course from 5,380 to 7,207 yards.
The Nicklaus Design team incorporated a higher degree of difficulty into The Bridges, yet also made it an enjoyable layout for the average golfer.
“We love The Bridges for many reasons,” says avid player Kris Flower. “The view is unbeatable, the course is challenging but fun, and the staff always makes our time there special.”
After your time on the greens, head to Remington’s restaurant in The Bridges clubhouse to enjoy a mouth-watering creation amidst a gorgeous western Colorado sunset on the patio. A designated Eat Local, Eat Healthy restaurant that sources local produce and Rocky Mountain beef, Remington’s is the proud recipient of the Wine Spectator Magazine Award of Excellence for the second year in a row, having one of the finest wine lists in the world. The Bridges clubhouse has four beautifully appointed suites for a luxurious stay on-site.
Black Canyon Golf Course
Golfers of any skill level will appreciate the design and challenge of this unique public course, owned and operated by the City of Montrose since 2014. The par-70, 18-hole, family-friendly Black Canyon Golf Course features a classic, tree-lined park setting with a pond water feature, par-34 front nine, and a more open, links-style back 9.
Montrose Mayor Rex Swanson frequents the unique public course and is particularly fond of the course’s park-like setting. “Even the best golfers will be challenged, because you actually have to hit the ball straight to miss the mature trees along the fairway.”
The on-site Brew and Bogey Club restaurant includes a full bar featuring a variety of award-winning craft beers to complement tasty appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, wings, and salads from the chefs at the locally-owned Horsefly Brewing Company.
The Links at Cobble Creek
The Links at Cobble Creek is a par-72 championship golf course that features ten lakes and a creek meandering through every hole on expansive, undulating terrain. The course length measures 5,203 yards from the red tees and 6,982 yards from the gold tees to accommodate golfers of varying abilities.
“Our greens roll well,” said First Assistant Golf Pro Gerard Lanser. “It’s a walker-friendly and forgiving course for the average golfer, yet the creeks and lakes test players looking for more of a challenge.”
The Tavern at the Cobble Creek clubhouse provides the perfect après-golf setting. Enjoy a cocktail and delicious lunch on the patio overlooking the course and, of course, the San Juan Mountains.
Walkin’ on sunshine
Montrose reports an average of 245 sunny days a year. “We live in the land of sunshine,” Swanson said with a smile. “And sunny days are great days for golf.”
