Cherry Hills CC- clubhouseCherry Hills CC- clubhouse

 

 Cherry Hills Country Club is a William Flynn design smack in the middle of Denver, Colorado

It was renovated by Tom Doak some years ago, and as usual Doak's work is very much in keeping with the original design .

 

Cherry Hills has hosted many famous events over the years, but none more memorable than Arnold Palmer's US Open win in 1960. 

1960 was fascinating because it was at the end of the dominant era of Ben Hogan, and the very beginning of Jack Nicklaus' amazing career.

 

Cherry Hills CC- Palmer plaqueCherry Hills CC- Palmer plaque

 

Palmer started the last round needing to go low to have a sniff . 
He started by driving the 315 yard par 4 first hole, making birdie, and going on to snatch a memorable victory .

 

Cherry Hills CC- hole 1 teeCherry Hills CC- hole 1 tee

Cherry Hills CC- hole 1 greenCherry Hills CC- hole 1 green

 

 

Needless to say I didn't drive the first hole!

Driver, 8 iron, lip out from 6 feet downhill- boy these greens are quick!

After the big trip over and being on the road over 30 hours without a kip, I slept for 15 hours, and only just made my tee time
So there was good reason my form was pretty ordinary early...but I got better as I went

Most of the course is fairly flat- only going up and down the hill to and from the clubhouse at the start and end of each nine
The rough was unforgiving, and when I played it was being grown in for the upcoming US amateur. You just have to be accurate or pay the price!

Cherry Hills CC is well defended with tree lined fairways, long rough, strategic bunkering, and a number of water hazards (creeks, ponds, lakes), all adding to the challenge

But perhaps the strongest defence is the greens. They are are seriously quick- and with enough movement to get your attention!

 

It is a strategic layout- the sort of course I enjoy plotting my way around.

I played with the assistant pro, and we played off the tee one forward of the championship tee, but one back from the normal men's competition.

At 6850 yards I found a couple of par 4's where I couldn't get home, but found it otherwise reasonable for length. 

However, I had a number of approach shots from 170 metres plus- with creeks/lakes etc very much in play.

I have to admit I was a little intimidated..

 

Cherry Hills CC- hole 14Cherry Hills CC- hole 14

 

The back nine is the stronger nine and has a real championship finish.

You need to negotiate a long 3 with a creek in play on the fifteenth, long 4 with creek in play on the sixteenth, and two par 5's on seventeen and eighteen.

 

Cherry Hills CC- hole 12Cherry Hills CC- hole 12

Cherry Hills CC- hole 16Cherry Hills CC- hole 16

 

 

Hole 17 is a ripper- a longish 5 with an island green

Apparently it is not so popular with members because Tom Doak brought back Flynn's two sets of cross bunkering (as originally designed).

I loved the hole, and the cross bunkering added interest in my opinion

Fortunately I hit a good drive, and a ripper 3 wood to carry both sets of cross bunkers- just...

Then a wedge to an island green sitting in the lake- simple really!

Cherry Hills CC- hole 17 greenCherry Hills CC- hole 17 green

On hole 18 the drive is taken over the lake diagonally, with the lake in play down the left side for some of the hole.

There is also a creek running across the fairway about 100 yards from the green . 

I hit a good drive (at least it stayed dry), hit a long rescue over the creek, and an approach wedge to green centre for an easy par five.

I note however that this hole plays as a long uphill par 4 for championship events. Yikes!

 

Cherry Hills CC- hole 18 teeCherry Hills CC- hole 18 tee 

Overall Cherry Hills was a very pleasant experience- a good strategic course in magnificent condition.

It is just a lovely place to play, and a wonderful members facility

 

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