Highlands Ranch Golf Club

Highlands Ranch Golf Club occupies rolling terrain in the master-planned community of Highlands Ranch, approximately twenty miles south of Denver in the Front Range foothills. Hale Irwin, the three-time U.S. Open champion who transitioned to course design after his competitive career, created this layout to take advantage of the natural elevation changes and views toward the Rocky Mountains. The course opened in the mid-1990s as part of the broader residential development that transformed this area from ranch land into one of Colorado's larger suburban communities. The routing works across varied topography, with several holes playing along ridgelines and others descending into draws and valleys. Irwin's design incorporates the native grasses and scrub oak vegetation typical of the Colorado Front Range, and the layout requires thoughtful club selection given the altitude's effect on ball flight. Water features appear on multiple holes, and the bunkering reflects Irwin's understanding of strategic angles from his playing days. The course serves both daily-fee and member play, functioning as a community amenity within the larger Highlands Ranch development. The setting provides mountain views from elevated tees and fairways, particularly looking west toward the Continental Divide. The course has hosted regional amateur events and qualifiers over the years, serving as a competitive venue for Colorado golf. Its location within a large residential area makes it accessible to both local golfers and visitors exploring courses in the Denver metro region.