The Club Cordillera

The Mountain Course at The Club Cordillera sits at approximately 9,200 feet elevation in Edwards, Colorado, making it one of the highest-elevation golf courses in North America. Designed by Hale Irwin and opened in the late 1990s, the course occupies dramatic terrain in the Vail Valley with views of the surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks. Irwin, a three-time U.S. Open champion who transitioned to course design, created a layout that works with the natural contours and elevation changes of the site. The routing moves through alpine meadows, stands of aspen and pine, and rocky outcroppings characteristic of high-country Colorado golf. The thin air at this elevation affects ball flight significantly, with shots carrying farther than at sea level, requiring adjustments in club selection and strategy. The course features substantial elevation changes from tee to green on many holes, and the mountain topography creates both dramatic vistas and challenging lies. The Club Cordillera operates as a private club and includes multiple courses and amenities within its mountain community setting. The Mountain Course represents the highest and most dramatic of the club's layouts, offering a distinctive high-alpine golf experience. Conditioning and playability are affected by the short mountain growing season, with the course typically open from late spring through early fall. The design emphasizes shot values suited to the terrain while accounting for the unique playing conditions created by altitude and mountain weather.