By Doug Carey, Examiner.com
KEYSTONE, Colo. — Looking for a great weekend in the mountains? Check out Colorado’s Keystone Ranch.
With the snow long melted and the rivers running, another beautiful Colorado summer is underway, and there is no better way to enjoy the mountain sunshine than with a round of golf at one of Keystone Resort’s two immaculate courses. Golf season officially began in Summit County on May 17 with the opening of the River Course. Guests can enjoy both of Keystone’s spectacular courses beginning May 31 when The Keystone Ranch opens for play.
Along with the front nine, golfers can grab lunch at The River Course Grill, buy new gear at the golf shop or tune-up their skills on the practice range and putting green. Tee times may be booked online at golfkeystone.com or by calling 800-464-3494.
Keystone’s courses are “a cool combination of mountain golf courses that offer different architectural layouts with opposing personalities, spectacular panoramic views and challenges that test golfers of all abilities,” said Keystone Director of Golf Steve Corneillier. “Keystone Resort is the closest all-inclusive mountain resort to the Front Range of Colorado and the only 36-hole facility in Summit County.”
While the par-71, Hurdzen-Fry River Course at Keystone provides impressive elevation changes, variable bunkers, water hazards and five-sets of tees on each hole, the Keystone Ranch par-72 course follows the legendary links-style of a Scottish course on the front-nine, while the back nine presents a traditional mountain valley layout. Throughout the summer Keystone’s Golf courses will offer various lessons and clinics specifically geared at improving guest’s game in a productive and friendly atmosphere. Half-hour private lessons with a PGA professional that are individually tailored to guests’ skill level and goals will be available for $50.
Clinics such as Boomers on the Links at The River Course, perfect for seniors, Betty’s free golf week at The River Course, specifically for woman, and Just for Junior Golf Clinics, great for 17 and under golfers, will also be available throughout the golfing season. For a full listing of lesson and clinic information please visit www.golfkeystone.com. For golfers looking for an exciting chance to improve their game, the Keystone Resort will host a prestigious clinic with Nancy Lopez, winner of Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in 1978, on August 21.
The event will include breakfast, a putting exhibition with Lopez, short game clinic stations focused on putting, chipping, pitching and sand, followed by a delicious lunch. Golfers will have the chance to round out the day with nine holes on the Keystone Ranch Golf Course with Lopez hitting a par three with each group.
Nestled at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Keystone’s two courses offer the perfect chance for a long weekend or extended getaway to the cool mountain climate, where average summer temperatures hover in the low-70s.
Stay-and-Play golf and lodging packages start at $90 per person and save guests 33% on lodging when paired with a round of golf. Visit www.keystoneresort.com or call 800-328-1323 for reservations.