TPC Colorado course plans linked up perfectly
Tournament course set to open in spring of 2018
Lush fairways, perfectly manicured greens, stacked-sod bunkers imported from overseas, picturesque views of the Rockies off in the distance.
A year after breaking ground, the TPC Colorado golf course in northwest Berthoud is quickly take shape. And for someone who has been involved with the project for nearly three years now, seeing the course come to life is the next best thing to making a hole-in-one.
"It's been amazing," said Chad Poirot, ownership representative and PGA professional at TPC Colorado. "It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of hurdles to jump, but the product that we're seeing now, as it's coming together and the grass is growing, it's all been worth while. It's truly exciting to put something on paper and then see it transform in front of your very eyes."
According to general manager Larry Collins, the 18-hole championship layout just west of Highway 287 and south of Larimer County Road 14 is "on time, on schedule, on budget." In fact, holes have been cut and golf has been played on about a third of the course, with the entire track expected to be playable by the fall.
Just because the course can be played on doesn't mean it will be. With a few exceptions for members and prospective members, golfers will have to wait until next spring to test their game on the par-72 course that measures anywhere between 4,000 and 7,900 yards.
It might look ready sooner than later, but the semi-private club is in no hurry. As one of 34 courses that are part of the nation-wide Tournament Players Club (TPC) network, there are some lofty standards to meet before it's time to officially tee off.
"We have the TPC brand on it, so we have a responsibility," Poirot said. "We're going to bring tournament conditions day in and day out, so we're not in any rush to get this open. We're going to put our best foot forward and open under tournament conditions. And tournament conditions under the TPC network and PGA Tour are different maybe than your local municipal golf course. This is a little different animal."
As part of the TPC network, which is licensed by the PGA Tour, the course will be built to host professional tournaments. With the exception of a FedEx Cup playoff event at Cherry Hills Country Club in 2014, the sports-obsessed Centennial State has been without a regular pro golf event since The International's final year at Castle Pines in 2006.
As of now, TPC Colorado has a five-year agreement to host a Web.com Tour stop starting in 2019. However, the Scottish links-style course complete with fescue-lined fairways could very well end up hosting any number of other big-time tournaments down the road.
"Word on the street is that we think they built it for something bigger," said Collins, alluding to the Web.com Tour, which serves as a developmental circuit for aspiring PGA Tour golfers. "What that means is that the Tour has great relationships with the USGA, and the USGA runs 16 championships, including the US Amateur. There's no dissecting what kind of events (TPC Colorado could host)."
The Great Recession took its toll on the industry, Collins said, but he's not the least bit worried about being Colorado's first new course to be built this decade. With its location and setting, along with all the other activities that will be offered in and around the community development, the club says it's already drawing significant interest despite not really marketing itself quite yet.
"Really, it's about this architect, Art Schaupeter, and what he did. He really designed, I think, a really cool course. On top of that, you have this whole community with motorized boating, fishing, non-motorized activities, a potential equestrian center, tennis, swimming. It's almost going to feel like a resort. As far as the community, we may have reasons for homeowners to never leave," Collins said.
"We haven't branded the property yet and have already sold over 109 lots and 22 memberships. It's going to be fun watching it all come together."
