Arrowhead | Bear Dance | Fossil Trace | Walnut Creek | TPC Colorado
Any golfer who’s had the opportunity to play one of the 30 TPC golf courses in North America knows what they should expect. The courses, a mix of private and resort courses, are all ready to host the best players in the world in tournament play. Between those events, amateur players get the chance to walk in the footsteps of their heroes and play the courses with outstanding conditions and amenities.
One of the newest TPC facilities, TPC Colorado at Heron Lakes, is no exception. When the club opened in 2019, it was the first new golf development in the state of Colorado in a decade. Jim Birdsall, a member of the club’s ownership group, said the land had already been earmarked for a golf course and the town of Berthoud insisted it remain in the group’s plans.
“We made significant changes to the plans after we purchased and the partnership with the PGA Tour made further changes to the plans,” said Birdsall of the 2005 land purchase. “The site was chosen for its proximity to other communities along the Front Range and the beautiful setting.”
The golf course is now part of an 865-acre master planned golf community that includes luxury condos and townhomes, and eventually a 30-acre shopping center.
Visit any of the courses in the TPC Network and you’ll find that each retains characteristics or pays homage to the history of the sites they’re built on. The owners and course architect Arthur Schaupeter, chose to do that in Colorado through a commitment to the wildlife the area is known for.
“We have retained the silos south of Hole 17 green, an Osprey nest and the largest Heron Rookery in the State, hence the name of the project: TPC Colorado at Heron Lakes,” added Birdsall. “Well over 50% of the property has been preserved as permanent open space.”
The natural beauty and splendor of the site is evident from the moment you leave Interstate 25 when arriving from the Denver Metropolitan area. After a few turns on the rural rounds and a quick peek at Berthoud, golfers will find themselves staring at a clubhouse befitting a PGA TOUR experience. The 65,000 square foot compound features two restaurants – from casual fare to unmatched steak and seafood – a swimming pool, members locker rooms, a fitness center, and a full-service golf shop and practice facility.
The course itself, however, would be a treat without any of the amenities surrounding it.
The Schaupeter design is a par-72 layout with tees that play from 4,157 yards all the way to 7,991 yards. Golfers of all abilities will have the chance to play and score from the right tee boxes. Starting at the very first tee box, you’ll be surrounded by the waters of three reservoirs, as well as the incredible Rocky Mountains. It’s a view you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Some TPC courses have their signature hole, like the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, or the 16th at TPC Scottsdale, but it’s difficult to choose just one hole at TPC Colorado. Every hole on the course has its own unique story and features that make it fun to play. Two holes, however, stood out: the short par three 8th, and the incredibly long par five 13th. These holes couldn’t be more different, yet both highlight the challenges that await players.
The 8th hole, on the scorecard, looks like it should be a push-over after the opening seven holes. Measuring anywhere from 72 to 194 yards, it’s one of the most difficult greens on the course to hit. The hole sits on a tree-lined peninsula that extends into Lonetree Reservoir. The narrow green stretches 50 yards from front to back, requiring a tee shot that not only finds the green but finds the general vicinity of the hole to avoid a potentially long putt.
Just five holes after that short par three, golfers will find themselves standing on the tee box of the 13th hole, one of the longest par fives they’ll ever play. Ranging from 401 to 773 yards, this is a three shot hole in every way. Like most holes on the course, the tee shot is fairly wide open, giving players the opportunity to swing their drivers. For their second shot, players are forced to decide how to deal with “Hell Bunker,” a sand trap inspired by the 14th hole at St. Andrews, that offers few options to advance the ball. Lay up short and the approach shot is roughly 200 yards; clearing the bunker requires more club than you think to have a shorter approach to the green. The final shot to the green, regardless of the yardage, is a tricky one as the putting surface sits at an angle and is well guarded by a bunker.
It would be easy to look at the overall layout of the course and see what a challenge it is from tee to green. That would mean ignoring what are some of the most interesting and challenging green complexes in the area. Each putting surface is surrounded by generous aprons, mown short to guide wayward shots to collection areas. Once on the green, however, players face sneaky undulations and lightning quick conditions that put a premium on speed. Even those who play well from tee to green will find their final score dependent upon their putting.
You may be asking yourself why you’ve never heard of TPC Colorado. If you haven’t, that’s because you’re not watching enough golf on television! The course is host to the Korn Ferry Tour’s The Ascendant presented by Blue. It’s been voted Tournament of the Year two of the last three years by Korn Ferry players (2021 and 2023). The course itself has received numerous accolades including Golf Digest’s Top 100 Course you can play (2021), GolfWeek’s Best Courses in Colorado (2021), and Golf Digest’s Best New Private Clubs (#3 in 2019).
TPC Colorado does have a membership, but also offers a limited number of tee times for non-members. For more information or to book your tee time, visit www.tpc.com/colorado or call 970-663-5063. TPC Colorado is a place rising stars love to play, and so will you.