Rio Grande Golf Club

This is the place to go if you love the mountains, golf, fishing and even skiing.  You can do them all in one day with the Rio Grande Golf Club, fishing the Gold Medal Rio Grande River at South Fork and even skiing the morning in the Spring at Wolf Creek!  Ahh, the trifecta!

In 2003 Golf Digest listed Rio Grande Club among the Top 10 best new upscale public golf facilities in America.  The air is fresh and the views are superb.  The course winds through sandstone outcroppings and stands of cottonwood, pine and aspen.  The front nine works along both sides of the Rio Grande River.  But it's the back nine that really gets exciting with elevated tees and rolling fairways lined by rocks, trees, marshland and water.

The course offers 4 tee box options ranging from a whopping 7,144 yards from the tips (Blue tees) to a mellow 5,409 yards from the red tees.

The course has gone through some ownership changes since its opening in 2003.  It seems to have found its groove now.  Better than 35% of the property owners are Texans.  That's no surprise when you think of the cool, fresh air and all the amenities offered here.

Check in to a Stay and Play deal.  If you rent lodging from a member of the golf club I'm told you will receive all the member benefits.  Double check that when making your booking.

The first hole is a beauty played from an elevated tee with rock wall bordering the right rough.  The remainder of the front nine stays low and near the river.

The back nine is a challenging and beautiful climb and drop along a rocky and wooded ridge.  Hole #11 was my favorite.  It's a par 4 with a big drop off the tee then a dogleg left to an elevated green.

The drive up to the 17th tee box is a real workout for your gas golf cart.  It's supposedly a driveable par 4 330 yard shot from the white tee.  You are to climb a structure and peer over the hill to see if the green is clear…..if you're a big hitter.

The 18th hole compares to one the pros would play on the tour.  It's a par 5 off a high tee played down to a wide fairway.  The big challenge is safely hitting the green well protected by a large pond in front of the sturdy Colorado-style clubhouse, bar, restaurant and fitness center.

Head up to this beauty at the base of Wolf Creek.  You'll love it.

Sam Sherstad   Writer, Recreation Travel Reviews