BIRDIES
& BOGEYS: AWESOME
ASPEN GLEN
First things first. And one of the first things you need to know when traveling to play golf at Aspen Glen Club in Carbondale, Colorado, is that golf balls fly 10 percent to 15 percent farther in the mountains than they do at sea level. And, the higher you hit the ball, the farther it will go. Of course, figuring out how to use this new length to your advantage is another matter, but generally, the thin air at Aspen Glen’s 6,000-foot altitude makes for about a one- to two-club difference. It will take some getting used to, but is this a great problem, or what? Some advice: Just head to the range and you’ll soon be able to gauge the effect of the altitude on your game.
Some other advice: Leave the blasé at home. Even the legendary Jack Nicklaus reportedly had a one-word response upon seeing the completed layout he co-designed with son, Jack II. He simply said: “Wow.” And, as lore is created, so was the signature 18th hole (Colorado’s only natural island green) christened, “Wow.”
The exclamation also is an appropriate description for the Aspen Glen clubhouse expansion that officially opens July 4th weekend. So keep reading; that’s coming. But when it comes to Aspen Glen, the conversation seems to start and end with golf. And the No. 18th “Wow” is a conversation stopper. The par-5 plays 565 yards downhill from the back “Bear” tees and 436 yards from the forward tees to an island green set in the Roaring Fork River. It’s a reachable hole (in regulation) for players who can hit a good tee shot and get the ball far enough down the hill in order to lay up to the landing area. From there it’s a short-iron shot to the green. For the record, Nicklaus used a driver and 3-iron to reach the green in two.
LIVING UP TO THEIR
NAMES
And if you think “Wow” is properly dubbed, take a look at the scorecard for
other well-matched monikers. The par-5 No. 6 is “Sopris Springs” in honor of
the stunning, 13,000-foot Mount Sopris that looms on the horizon beyond this
green and that provides a vista for many of the course’s other holes.
It’s difficult not to show partiality for the views from No. 7’s elevated tee box, which overlooks a horseshoe-shaped strip of land in the also appropriately named Roaring Fork River, a reminder of Aspen Glen’s four miles of gold medal trout fishing that attracts anglers from far and wide to the abundant currents. Called “The Carry,” the hole’s layout drops 100 feet after the tees. The river gently laps the back of the green and not too far away are two man-made trout spawning channels. You don’t have to have clubs to enjoy this golf course. The layout is, in fact, a nature walk unspoiled.
No matter which of the four tees you have chosen, stop by the Bear tees on No. 10 for a picture-perfect view of the fairway’s lone tree, a ponderosa pine that holds a bald eagle’s nest. There’s a donation box on the green, with the monies collected earmarked for eagle protection. The hole, not surprisingly called “Eagle’s Nest,” also is a favorite wintertime resting spot for elk. Aspen Glen’s employee partners say it is not unusual on certain days to see 150 or more elk laying on the snow-covered fairway.
But conserve your film. Another Kodak moment awaits at the No. 11 tee box. A par-3 called “Pot Bunker,” the hole provides one of the most spectacular and photogenic shots of Mount Sopris. From the tips, it measures 212 yards of pure golf.
The ‘WOW’ FACTOR CONTINUES
With the latest phase of its expansion recently opened, Aspen Glen Club provides
a mini-resort experience to summertime members and guests. The new amenities
include a swimming pool and spa facility with a huge hot tub, two additional
tennis courts, a doubling of the kitchen’s size, a formal dining room that
seats 100, a lounge, a private dining room (equipped with state-of-the-art
technology) for up to 20, a verandah, an aerobics and fitness center, enlarged
locker room space, a child care facility, and more. The expansion added 20,000
square feet of comfort, elegance, and resort lifestyle.
So, go ahead, be active or just relax by the double-sided stone fireplace, and meditate on the magnificence of Mount Sopris. It’s hard to imagine what could make such an experience better, unless it’s a cup (make that a bowl) of executive chef Tim Durand’s lobster pumpkin soup. Members and guests also regularly enjoy special “chef’s nights” when Chef Tim provides some culinary surprises. With more than 20 years of kitchen and restaurant experience, the chef formerly was the executive sous chef with Little Nell, unquestionably an Aspen tradition for lodging, dining, and gathering for the see-and-be-seen crowd.
PRIDE IN BELONGING
Although Aspen Glen’s club history is still a brief story, its camaraderie has
become well rooted and its reputation is growing. In 1998, Golf
Digest magazine named Aspen Glen among America’s 10 best new
courses in the country. Aspen Glen was the only Colorado course honored in the
private category and Golf
Digest’s panelists noted that the club takes maximum advantage of
its surroundings to present a course that offers equal portions of beauty and
challenge.
Aspen Glen’s environmental efforts also have garnered industry awards, such as the Environmental Steward Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The group recognized Dick Eide’s excellence in strengthening Aspen Glen’s image as an environmentally friendly golf course.
Another recognition for wildlife stewardship came when other Aspen Glen employee partners made the front page of The Glenwood Post. The story recorded the efforts of Aspen Glen’s taking the lead in a project to remove and dispose of a fence across the highway from the Aspen Glen community’s entrance in order to help protect the roaming deer and elk from being trapped on the highway.
Truly an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Aspen Glen has
dedicated 500 acres to recreational facilities and open space. Thousands of
acres of adjacent public lands ensure that even the most devoted hiker, biker,
cross-country skier, or horseback rider will not want for new horizons to
conquer. And the river, in addition to outstanding fishing, draws white-water
fans who challenge the rapids in kayaks, canoes, and rafts, especially when the
spring’s melting snows seasonally swell the river’s water. The recreational
focus of Aspen Glen echoes its golf, often in that single syllable, “Wow.”
MEMBERS DISCOVER ART AND SOUL AT ASPEN GLENr. Dennis Downey explains: “I’m an impressionist.” Sitting in the Eagles’ Nest Grill at Aspen Glen Club, the recently retired dentist is categorizing his art. He might just as well, however, be describing his life: Pure color captures the changing effects of light and many brush strokes make up the larger picture. There are no hard edges as he and his wife, Julie, smoothly divide their attention among their vocations and avocations, children and grandchildren, and homes in Aspen Glen and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
One evening earlier, the Downeys were the gracious hosts at an elegant “art salon” and post-Christmas holiday dinner at a fashionable Aspen eatery to introduce the works of Russian artist Igor Melnikov to Rocky Mountain high society as well as a few international art collectors. Today, however, they have dressed country club casually for impromptu golf lessons with five of their eight children (seven are adopted) and one of three grandchildren. Santa brought the “little ones” golf clubs, he explains, and the snow-covered lawn of the club provides a safer “practice range” than their living room.
The “little ones” are not so little anymore. Randy is 16. The stair-stepping in ages stops at Keith, 9. Sarah is sandwiched in the middle of the four brothers. The story of the adoption, of course, is often requested, and thus, often told. It begins about seven years ago, when the two oldest of five siblings were befriended over the summer by the Downeys’ son David, who took large lunches to work so he could share with his young friends. But David left for college in the fall and none of the Downeys realized the children had been picked up by Human Services until a phone call came one day for David. The two oldest boys came for a visit and the Downeys (also certified foster parents) experienced a joy in filling up their not-quite-empty nest. They also discovered the two boys had three younger siblings. With a breath as deep as their commitment, the Downeys adopted all five. There have been trials, they say, but no looking back. “Life is fun, every single day,” Dennis says.
This day, 5-year-old Downey granddaughter Angelica, who cheerfully tends a flagstick for putting practice, is a symbolic link of the Downeys’ various arenas of interest. There’s no mistaking her large, expressive eyes. They are the same as those of one of Melnikov’s favorite subjects. Although, today, her eyes lack the pensiveness that are characteristic of Melnikov’s emotionally charged portraiture of children. The gifted Russian artist, whom the Downeys represent through their Downey Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, now resides in Santa Fe and also has been somewhat “adopted” by the Downey family.
At the gallery, Julie tends to business; Dennis pursues his artistic avocation-turned-vocation. Two of his works have been chosen for this season’s program covers of the Santa Fe and New Mexico symphonies. In addition, the family accompanies him to Ireland annually where he teaches art as well as continues a series of paintings based on Irish fox hunts. What’s next? Real family golf lessons and more time at Aspen Glen. More painting, including a 4-by-7-foot canvas of Mount Sopris at sunset for the entry of the Aspen Glen Club. And, no doubt, more surprises on what Dennis Downey describes as an “incredible journey” of life.
IN EVERY SEASON, ASPEN FINDS REASON
For those who have never been to Aspen, the first association with the mountain
town might be an image of a glitzy ski resort. But the jet-set reputation is
redeemed during summer. For five decades, Aspen has been nurturing a cultural
identity that has earned this small community respect among scholars, artists,
statesmen, designers, and philosophers.
A highlight of the summer calendar is the Aspen Music Festival and School, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. This season, the Aspen Music Festival and School will open its state-of-the art, 2,050-seat Benedict Music Tent.
This summer also marks the celebration of the 50th anniversaries of the Aspen Institute and the International Design Conference. Other organizations that contribute to Aspen’s cultural scene are the Aspen Art Museum, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen Ballet, and Aspen Theatre in the Park, to name just a few. In fact, half of Aspen’s summer visitors report that they’ve come to town to attend a cultural event.
OUTDOOR NIRVANA
Nearly a half-million acres of unspoiled wilderness surround Aspen, a vast arena
for hiking and mountain biking, golfing, horseback riding, fly-fishing, rafting,
and more.
What skiing is to winter, white-water rafting is to summer. The Colorado, Roaring Fork, and Arkansas rivers offer a variety of activities, including relaxing float trips as well as scenes from The River Wild. But note, the area’s calmer waterways, such as South Canyon Rapids, are suitable for families with children as young as 6. In fact, Aspen provides a great destination for family vacations.
The Aspen Chamber Resort Association offers a list of rafting outfitters, fishing guides, bike tours, and hiking areas.
SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP
Browsers and buyers alike will delight in Aspen-area shopping. Upon arrival,
pick up a complimentary copy of The
Aspen Catalogue. Its hefty size and glossy ads attest to the unique
shopping experiences that await in Aspen, Snowmass, and the Roaring Fork Valley
near Aspen Glen.
With so many quality summertime choices in Aspen, you can
do everything or you can do nothing. Whatever you choose, you’ll want to come
back to sample winter.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Aspen Central Reservations.
www.aspen4U.com.
Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
www.aspenchamber.org.
The Aspen Institute. International
nonprofit educational institution dedicated to serving leaders worldwide.
www.aspeninst.org.
Aspen Music Festival and School.
Through Aug. 20. www.aspenmusicfestival.com. Aspen/Snowmass
Council for the Arts. Check
the complete calendar of events. www.aspen.com/arts.
Jazz Aspen At Snowmass.
Labor Day Festival, Sept. 1-4. www.jazzaspen.com.
ASPEN GLEN
Address: 9929 State Highway 82, Carbondale, Colorado.
Manager: Steven
Held.
Member Relations: Katie Simpson.
Golf Professionals: Jess Westley, Dave Johnson.
Amenities: Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, tennis, swimming,
athletics, gold medal fly-fishing, casual and formal dining, to name a few.