Buffalo Run GC, Commerce City. Keith Foster, 1996.

This is a quality course out in the plains. When it opened, it had a rep as a course for the big boys—even at elevation, 7,400 yards was a lot of golf course in the mid-90s—but it’s very playable for most people. It tends to play firm and fast and there aren’t many forced carries. Get wayward and it could be a long day in the weeds, yes, but that’s golf for you—the course is plenty wide on account of the exposed site.

The most remarkable holes are 13 and 14—a very long par 3 followed by a clever short par 4. 13 is 260 from the back tees and just slightly downhill. From that tee the real distance you’re thinking about is 230 to cover a bunker in front of the green. If you clear that you will likely kick onto the green.

The 14th is 342 on the card and plays as a gentle dogleg right around a mound with three bunkers cut into it. But big hitters can try to carry the mound—it’s about a 280 yard carry—on a direct line to the green.

The 18th is a nice finisher by the clubhouse, where a bold shot to get home in two on this par 5 can impress patrons on the patio.

Colorado 2nd Decile [1997]