Round two of my yearly Colorado trip found me and three work colleagues at the Ridge at Castle Pines North. This is quite simply one of the best municipal courses you're going to find anywhere. It's a... Continue »

Round two of my yearly Colorado trip found me and three work colleagues at the Ridge at Castle Pines North. This is quite simply one of the best municipal courses you're going to find anywhere. It's absolutely a private club experience but made for all to experience. I contend that the back nine at The Ridge is as scenic, fun and challenging as just about any other comparably priced course in the land.

After a solid session on the practice range (balls are provided with the greens fee), you'll find a course that is pretty top condition from tee to green. Once again, lush fairways and rough will provide fantastic hitting surfaces throughout your round. Greens are running at a very nice 10.5 to 11 and smooth as can be on almost every hole. The bunkers are in very nice condition, and the tee boxes are mostly level and healthy with the one exception of the scenic cliff top 18th hole tee box that every golfer challenges himself on. There is a massive rut in the middle of the small perched tee box that needs to seriously be fixed.

In terms of layout, it's pretty terrific. Elevations galore, water features, clever and difficult bunkering, some tight holes and some wide open fairways, and many different ways to attack each hole which makes for some fun and creative play from the first hole to the last. It's just a blast to play here, and right now it's still a very good time to come out and hit the sticks.