Lovable links at Fair Prices: Scoring Value in Vail Valley Golf
Andrew Resnik explores the Vail Valley’s most accessible golf courses—where great rounds, local character, and value go hand in hand.
Ask the avid golfer in your life about their dream course on the Monterey Peninsula, and I’ll bet you a baker’s dozen Village Bagels they’ll say “Pebble Beach.” Arguably America’s most famous course, Pebble is splashed across TV every year thanks to its early slot on the pro tour, its consistent role as host of major championships, and its moody, atmospheric beauty. There’s just one problem: despite technically being public, it’s a bear to get a spot due to lofty green fees, cryptic lodging requirements, and overwhelming global demand that put it out of reach for most of us regular golfers. I’ve only seen it from the perimeter, astride a road bike along the 17-mile drive, gazing down the 18th hole with the waves from Stillwater Cove lapping the flanks of the fairway.
The same is true for Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula Golf Club (both private) and to a lesser extent, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay (both super-pricey). But there’s a little-known fact that Monterey golf promoters seldom share: the Peninsula is bursting with affordable, accessible golf. Peek around any bend in the road, and you’ll find a Bayonet/Black Horse, Pacific Grove, Laguna Seca, Carmel Valley Ranch, just to name a few. Strip back one layer of the onion, and you’ll discover that Monterey is a “Mecca for the Masses” — the title, in fact, of an article I wrote for a digital publication several years ago, on which I spent very little money and never suffered “FOMO” for bypassing the rock star courses. This experience was a reminder that while chateaubriand may be a rare treat, sometimes we just want a hot dog and chips. Fancy courses drive stories, conversation, and magazine pages, but most golf is played on affordable, accessible municipal or family-owned public tracks.
With skis now stowed away after a ho-hum season, it’s time to look forward to what keeps so many of us here: the spectacular summers punctuated by hikes, bikes, picnics, and golf rounds. Like the Monterey Peninsula, the Vail Valley is chock full of golf courses — about a dozen total between East Vail and the mouth of Glenwood Canyon, compared with just two ski resorts. With that kind of optionality, there are several choices that offer a favorable “fun-to-price” ratio. Let’s also keep in mind that most of us stink at the sport, so we might as well save a few bucks and focus on golf’s true gift: spending time with family and friends on the beautiful fairways that grace our valley. Summer is here, so let’s bust out the sticks and spikes, and have a ramble up and down the valley to the area’s most accessible courses.
EAGLE RANCH GOLF COURSE
The same is true for Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula Golf Club (both private) and to a lesser extent, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay (both super-pricey). But there’s a little-known fact that Monterey golf promoters seldom share: the Peninsula is bursting with affordable, accessible golf. Peek around any bend in the road, and you’ll find a Bayonet/Black Horse, Pacific Grove, Laguna Seca, Carmel Valley Ranch, just to name a few. Strip back one layer of the onion, and you’ll discover that Monterey is a “Mecca for the Masses” — the title, in fact, of an article I wrote for a digital publication several years ago, on which I spent very little money and never suffered “FOMO” for bypassing the rock star courses. This experience was a reminder that while chateaubriand may be a rare treat, sometimes we just want a hot dog and chips. Fancy courses drive stories, conversation, and magazine pages, but most golf is played on affordable, accessible municipal or family-owned public tracks.
With skis now stowed away after a ho-hum season, it’s time to look forward to what keeps so many of us here: the spectacular summers punctuated by hikes, bikes, picnics, and golf rounds. Like the Monterey Peninsula, the Vail Valley is chock full of golf courses — about a dozen total between East Vail and the mouth of Glenwood Canyon, compared with just two ski resorts. With that kind of optionality, there are several choices that offer a favorable “fun-to-price” ratio. Let’s also keep in mind that most of us stink at the sport, so we might as well save a few bucks and focus on golf’s true gift: spending time with family and friends on the beautiful fairways that grace our valley. Summer is here, so let’s bust out the sticks and spikes, and have a ramble up and down the valley to the area’s most accessible courses.
EAGLE RANCH GOLF COURSE
Now celebrating its 25-year anniversary, Eagle Ranch Golf Course is a firmly established West Valley institution. This Arnold Palmer signature course anchors the Eagle Ranch community, complete with homes and hiking/biking trails just south of the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink. Given its down valley location, the mud season ends earlier and the fall season extends later, providing for a longer stretch of prime conditions.
Jeff Boyer has been general manager since it opened, and shares stories of the legendary Arnold Palmer, who personally visited the course and agreed that the original 12th green was a problem, due to severe slopes that would have destroyed good rounds and led to traffic backups. Palmer suggested adding a second green, giving players the option to take an easier way out. A short time later, Boyer received a call from Palmer himself, inquiring about the real estate options in Eagle on behalf of a friend.
Since that time, Jeff has seen the community grow and mature. “There’s a great vibe, an awesome mix of local grinders and happy tourists that come to play. Range balls are included, and the host makes everybody feel at home,” says Jeff. Speaking of home, Eagle Ranch is increasingly the retirement community for parents following kids who have settled here, bringing the two generations back together.
Like just about every course, Eagle Ranch is home to a hardcore group of regulars, “The Chairman’s Group,” reportedly an exclusive cluster of former CEO’s who regularly wager, banter, and barter for the coveted early morning tee times. Jeff had to put the reins on The Chairman’s Group when it tried to expand to eight groups (32 players), but at press time I’m told this local skirmish has been peaceably settled, and the group typically contains about 15-20 players, who are usually off the first hole at first light, darting down the fairways to be back in the lounge by lunchtime.
Like just about every course, Eagle Ranch is home to a hardcore group of regulars, “The Chairman’s Group,” reportedly an exclusive cluster of former CEO’s who regularly wager, banter, and barter for the coveted early morning tee times. Jeff had to put the reins on The Chairman’s Group when it tried to expand to eight groups (32 players), but at press time I’m told this local skirmish has been peaceably settled, and the group typically contains about 15-20 players, who are usually off the first hole at first light, darting down the fairways to be back in the lounge by lunchtime.
EAGLE VAIL GOLF COURSE
The quintessential “mountain muni”, Eagle Vail has anchored the Valley for more than 50 years, long enough to have played host to some of President Ford’s celebrity tournaments. Locals adore it, and tourists enjoy getting a classic mountain golf experience at a reasonable price. Combine the elevated tees and the high-country altitude, and visitors get the thrill of seeing their ball fly in the air for much longer than it does back home. Cruising the fairways, you’re likely to see a bald eagle, marmot, deer, even the occasional mountain lion pacing the river or skirting the edge of the mountains.
Head Golf Professional Chad Rush played high school golf for Battle Mountain, when the campus was located in Eagle Vail, and has worked at many of the valley’s private and public courses. He enjoys discussing Eagle Vail’s hosting of “PGA HOPE,” which stands for “Helping Our Patriots Everywhere,” providing free access to the course for veterans and active duty military members. Chad recalls a quote from a military host during an installment of PGA HOPE: “You helped my husband, he was having rough times with post-traumatic stress disorder, he needed some peace and beauty to get his mind off of things. Thank you.”
Eagle Vail’s newest leader is longtime Singletree resident Mark Sassi, recently installed as Director of Golf. Mark is well known in the community as a longtime fly-fishing guru, and is excited about his new role at Eagle Vail. “This place is home, and I’m just looking forward to creating a great atmosphere for both locals and customers alike,” said Mark.
Eagle Vail is also home to Willow Creek, the delightful 9-hole par-3 course where my son Max learned to play. No reservations needed, and you can just bring a few short-distance clubs. As a municipal facility, Eagle Vail embraces its role as the region’s biggest park, pulling the flagsticks before the end of the day to encourage neighbors to come out, walk their dogs, toss the baseball or frisbee, and enjoy the sunset.
GYPSUM CREEK GOLF COURSE
“Our motto is ‘keeping it real’” says Christy Martin, Operations Manager for Gypsum Creek Golf Course. “We’re down here at the end of the food chain when you think of the valley in terms of pricing, so we keep our rates low, and we’re not gonna kick anybody off the course for wearing blue jeans or a tee-shirt.”
Don’t let the casual description fool you, though: Gypsum Creek is legit golf. Like its neighbor in Eagle, the western-most course in the Vail Valley boasts a long season and another famous designer. Originally built as a private club before the town took it over, Gypsum Creek is the work of Pete Dye, the storied golf course architect who built TPC Sawgrass, site of the annual Players Championship near Jacksonville. The aesthetic is “mountain meets high desert” with plenty of tricky shots, in keeping with Dye’s fondness for target golf. It’s flat and bendy on the front nine, then climbs a mesa on the back nine to offer amazing views of Castle Peak, the New York Mountains, and Red Table Mountain.
The quintessential “mountain muni”, Eagle Vail has anchored the Valley for more than 50 years, long enough to have played host to some of President Ford’s celebrity tournaments. Locals adore it, and tourists enjoy getting a classic mountain golf experience at a reasonable price. Combine the elevated tees and the high-country altitude, and visitors get the thrill of seeing their ball fly in the air for much longer than it does back home. Cruising the fairways, you’re likely to see a bald eagle, marmot, deer, even the occasional mountain lion pacing the river or skirting the edge of the mountains.
Head Golf Professional Chad Rush played high school golf for Battle Mountain, when the campus was located in Eagle Vail, and has worked at many of the valley’s private and public courses. He enjoys discussing Eagle Vail’s hosting of “PGA HOPE,” which stands for “Helping Our Patriots Everywhere,” providing free access to the course for veterans and active duty military members. Chad recalls a quote from a military host during an installment of PGA HOPE: “You helped my husband, he was having rough times with post-traumatic stress disorder, he needed some peace and beauty to get his mind off of things. Thank you.”
Eagle Vail’s newest leader is longtime Singletree resident Mark Sassi, recently installed as Director of Golf. Mark is well known in the community as a longtime fly-fishing guru, and is excited about his new role at Eagle Vail. “This place is home, and I’m just looking forward to creating a great atmosphere for both locals and customers alike,” said Mark.
Eagle Vail is also home to Willow Creek, the delightful 9-hole par-3 course where my son Max learned to play. No reservations needed, and you can just bring a few short-distance clubs. As a municipal facility, Eagle Vail embraces its role as the region’s biggest park, pulling the flagsticks before the end of the day to encourage neighbors to come out, walk their dogs, toss the baseball or frisbee, and enjoy the sunset.
GYPSUM CREEK GOLF COURSE
“Our motto is ‘keeping it real’” says Christy Martin, Operations Manager for Gypsum Creek Golf Course. “We’re down here at the end of the food chain when you think of the valley in terms of pricing, so we keep our rates low, and we’re not gonna kick anybody off the course for wearing blue jeans or a tee-shirt.”
Don’t let the casual description fool you, though: Gypsum Creek is legit golf. Like its neighbor in Eagle, the western-most course in the Vail Valley boasts a long season and another famous designer. Originally built as a private club before the town took it over, Gypsum Creek is the work of Pete Dye, the storied golf course architect who built TPC Sawgrass, site of the annual Players Championship near Jacksonville. The aesthetic is “mountain meets high desert” with plenty of tricky shots, in keeping with Dye’s fondness for target golf. It’s flat and bendy on the front nine, then climbs a mesa on the back nine to offer amazing views of Castle Peak, the New York Mountains, and Red Table Mountain.
Of course, what goes up must come down, and Christy shares a story about the end of the day, when the sun, suds, and steep hills combine with a curvy cart path and a parallel creek: “Oh yeah, people have careened off that path. In fact, one guy pushed the cart into the river and covered it up with tree branches. We had a heck of a time getting that cart back!”
A true community anchor, the golf course also features a public outdoor pool, pickleball/tennis courts, and a popular local restaurant. The vibe is laid back, affordable and welcoming, with popular league play and a “Frost Bite” tournament to kick off the season bookended by a “Fall Frost” event at the end. Adds Christy, “It’s a real hidden gem in the valley, a few extra miles, but well worth it!”
If you want a little further, and a little funkier, there are at least three more options to consider. Mount Massive in Leadville is a 9-hole track that lays claim to being the highest elevation course in North America, and I’m told the locals are a bit protective of it. Lakota Links, just past Glenwood Springs, is a quirky Jim Engh (designer of Sanctuary and Redlands Mesa) course that’s had a bit of ownership turnover, but can host a good round. And if you want a down-home, old school, short-ish 9-hole course with good vibes and enthusiastic locals, take the pretty drive to Steamboat (watch out for the deer), and visit Steamboat Golf Club, just a few miles west of town.
One last thing: if you get an invitation to Country Club of the Rockies, Red Sky, or dare I say Pebble Beach, by all means go play. But you’ll have just as much fun rolling a pushcart through the pinions at one of our low-key public gems, and the birdies and beer will be well within the budget!
A true community anchor, the golf course also features a public outdoor pool, pickleball/tennis courts, and a popular local restaurant. The vibe is laid back, affordable and welcoming, with popular league play and a “Frost Bite” tournament to kick off the season bookended by a “Fall Frost” event at the end. Adds Christy, “It’s a real hidden gem in the valley, a few extra miles, but well worth it!”
If you want a little further, and a little funkier, there are at least three more options to consider. Mount Massive in Leadville is a 9-hole track that lays claim to being the highest elevation course in North America, and I’m told the locals are a bit protective of it. Lakota Links, just past Glenwood Springs, is a quirky Jim Engh (designer of Sanctuary and Redlands Mesa) course that’s had a bit of ownership turnover, but can host a good round. And if you want a down-home, old school, short-ish 9-hole course with good vibes and enthusiastic locals, take the pretty drive to Steamboat (watch out for the deer), and visit Steamboat Golf Club, just a few miles west of town.
One last thing: if you get an invitation to Country Club of the Rockies, Red Sky, or dare I say Pebble Beach, by all means go play. But you’ll have just as much fun rolling a pushcart through the pinions at one of our low-key public gems, and the birdies and beer will be well within the budget!