Red Hawk Ridge GC
Castle Rock, CO
1999, Jim Engh
Black 6942 71.6 129 72
Gold 6276 69.0 118 72
Blue 5923 67.5 115 72
White 5456 71.1 119 72
Directions: From Denver, I-25 S to Exit 182 W, proceed 1/2 mile to Red Hawk Drive and go N, follow signs to the course.
'05 Fees: June $75 Wknd.
Maximum Golf Review (a short-lived golf mag from the guys at Maxim): Breathtaking mountain views, links style, hilly topography, generous fairways surrounded by moguls and native grasses. The crescendo is the par-3 14th, with 80-mile vistas of Rocky Mountain National Park and Pike's Peak, and a 75-foot drop from tee to green, with O.B. deep.
Golfcourse.com Review: This spectacular course offers breathtaking high-mountain views. The course is typically links in style, featuring hilly topography with moguls and native grass abounding. The greens are large and undulating and the fairways are considered to be generous in width. They, too, offer moderate undulation. Wildlife is abundant on this course.
Signature Hole: 14 #14 is a 210-yard, par 3, which stands 6,000 feet above sea level. The view from this hole is simply unrivaled. Rocky Mountain National Park, which sports an elevation of 14,000 feet, can be seen eighty miles in the distance. Pike's Peak can be viewed with the simple rotation of your head. After recovering from the view, golfers have a tough golf shot. At the tee, wind blows over the golfers right shoulder, which will carry the tee shot out of bounds. There is a seventy-five foot elevation drop from the tee to a green, which is guarded by a bunker on the left and a large mound on the right.
Avg. Golfcourse.com Player Review: 4.1/5.0.
Best Bar Nearby, Colorado Springs: For a cool tiki bar, Critiki.com recommends The Castaways Restaurant, which is part of the Castaways Inns & Suites, opened in 1971, and still has its original tiki decor.
Best Bar Nearby, Denver: Maximum Golf recommends boozing at The Church, 1160 Lincoln St, former Episcopalian church now a dance mecca, wine and sushi bar, cigar bar, rooftop lounge. OR, El Chapultepec, 1962 Market St, Denver's most venerable jazz venue, hardly lavish, with Mexican food. OR, Grizzly Rose Saloon & Dance Emporium, 5450 N. Valley Highway, 40,000 sq feet of line dancin'. OR, Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave, once affiliated with the Playboy Club, reincarnated as watering-hole and live music venue attracting non-conformists of every stripe. Anything goes. Golf Magazine likes LoDo's Wynkoop Brewing Company. Colorado's oldest brew pub — sure, it's only from 1988, but the microbrew craze isn't that old. Tasty pub food, world class pool hall, and walking distance to Coors Field. After 36 holes, the signature amber-red Rail Yard Ale (brewed on-premisis) is a tasty reward. 1634 18th St, 303-297-2700, www.wynkoop.com.
Where To Grub, Denver: Maximum Golf says get fed at Denver Buffalo Co., 1109 Lincoln St, wide array of delicious bison dishes. OR, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, 8100 E. Orchard Rd, massive high quality steaks and cholestorol-laden side dishes, opulent decor, extraordinary service, strong drinks, cigar lounge with live music. OR, Julia Blackbird's, 3617 W. 32nd Ave, homey unpretentious Southwestern joint, lots of hot stuff (try the pinon chicken), superb deserts. OR, McCormick's Fish House & Bar, 1659 Wazee St, in Lower Downtown (heart of Denver nightlife district), solid, reasonably priced, great location, inside historic Oxford Hotel. OR, Mecury Cafe, 2199 California St, local landmark with split personality, fine restaurant downstairs with veggitarian and organic-meat dishes, upstairs features live swing, tango, and Cajun bands. OR, Brook's Steak House (303-770-1177) makes some Best Steakhouses in the U.S. lists. Golf Magazine says the Denver Chop House & Brewery is an affordable haven for professional jocks and wannabes, located next door to Coors Field. These folks do red meat right — don't miss the bone-in Iowa Pork Chop.303-296-0800, www.chophouse.com
Where To Stay: Per Golf Magazine, stay at Embassy Suites Denver. Two-bedroom suites, free breakfasts and evening cocktails, plus a location near many top courses, make it your best budget option. Rooms from $134 per night.303-696-6644, www.embassysuites.com