
Sanctuary Course
The Sanctuary



About this course
The Sanctuary sits in the high country near Sedalia, Colorado, roughly midway between Denver and Colorado Springs along the Front Range. Designed by Jim Engh and opened in the late 1990s, the course occupies dramatic terrain characterized by significant elevation changes, rock outcroppings, and native scrubland vegetation typical of Colorado's transitional zone between plains and mountains. Engh, known for his bold and theatrical design style, routed the layout to maximize the natural topography, creating a visually striking experience with forced carries, severe contours, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The course plays through a mix of open meadows and tighter corridors framed by rock formations and native grasses. Several holes feature pronounced elevation shifts—both uphill and downhill—that affect club selection and strategy. Water hazards appear on multiple holes, often positioned to challenge approach shots or create risk-reward scenarios. The green complexes tend toward the dramatic, with significant undulation and falloffs that demand precision and local knowledge. The Sanctuary operates as a private club and reflects Engh's signature aesthetic of integrating golf into rugged, photogenic settings. The high-altitude environment—above 6,000 feet—means the ball travels farther than at sea level, a factor that influences how the course plays relative to its measured yardage. The property offers a secluded mountain atmosphere while remaining accessible to the Denver metropolitan area.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CO
Quick facts
- Location
- Sedalia, CO, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1997
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Jim Engh
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,044 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.4/152
- Course Vaults score
- 8.2
Getting there
The Sanctuary sits in the high plains west of Denver, most easily reached via Denver International Airport (DEN), roughly ninety minutes' drive southwest through the rolling foothills and into the open Colorado landscape. Private aviation clients will find advantage in the proximity of several regional airstrips serving the greater Denver metro and mountain corridor, though the club's remote positioning rewards the unhurried ground approach. The final leg carries you away from the Front Range sprawl into increasingly sparse terrain, where the elevation climbs and the horizon expands—a gradual shedding of the everyday that culminates at The Sanctuary's gates, perched on the high desert plateau where golf and solitude converge.

FAQ
Common questions about Sanctuary
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sanctuary has a Course Vaults score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 26 logged golfers.
Sanctuary was designed by Jim Engh.
Sanctuary is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Sanctuary is 72.
Sanctuary plays 7,044 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sanctuary is 152.





