Arrowhead | Bear Dance | Fossil Trace | Walnut Creek | TPC Colorado
Inland links-style courses have been all the rage since the turn of the century. Some work, but some feel contrived. Imagine standing in Westminster, Colorado and having, instead of the ocean (like at a true links course), a sea of prairie grass darting in and out of each hole to try and grab your ball. That’s what Michael Hurdzan was able to create at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, and it works.
Coming in at 7,345 yards from the tips, Walnut Creek is a big golf course. Its wide fairways make it playable, though, for golfers of all abilities. It’s the kind of municipal course that every community wishes they could claim for their own with a well-stocked golf shop and practice facilities that make it fun to work on your game.
The practice facility includes a 30-station natural grass tee driving range, a 3,000 square foot short game area, two practice bunkers, and an impressive 5,000 square foot putting green that’s just as quick as any green on the golf course. Spend enough time there and it’s impossible not to improve.
In addition to the native grasses that surround the course, players will find themselves contending with nearly 100 bunkers strategically placed in landing areas and around large, fast greens. There’s even a little water out there, coming into play on four holes. All of those things make selecting the right tee box – there are five to choose from – an absolute must.
Visually, Walnut Creek is absolutely stunning. The sightlines make just about every shot interesting, so it’s hard to pick a favorite hole. However, the par five 13th seems to embody just about everything that makes Walnut Creek a memorable place to play. Coming in at 615 yards from the back tees, the longest hole on the course feels longer still because it plays uphill. It’s not a huge elevation change, but you can’t help but notice that after two good shots, you still have at least a wedge in your hand while approaching the small-ish green. From the tee, the 13th feels wide open, but the hole was designed with nearly a dozen well-placed bunkers waiting to snatch an errant shot. When players hit their second shots, they have to decide which side of the split fairway to hit to and set up a reasonable approach.
While golf is Walnut Creek’s main focus, it’s not its only one. The course is the 41st Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary. That means it’s part of an environmental education program aimed at helping land managers follow a comprehensive list of sustainable resource principles. It’s all about integrating wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, water conservation and quality, and environmental stewardship into the maintenance of the facility. A continued commitment to the environment first rather than costs made Walnut Creek just the second such project in Colorado.
For tourists, Walnut Creek Golf Preserve may not have the notoriety that some of Denver’s other courses do. Local players, however, know Walnut Creek has hosted more Colorado state championships and USGA qualifiers than any other course in the area for good reason. It’s truly a great test of golf.