Grand Elk Golf Club — Local services in Granby

Dear Justin,

I am a member of Grand Elk, and welcome the opportunity to address the issues you raised about your recent experience at Grand Elk.

First of all, I am sorry that you did not enjoy your experience, and I am sure that if you contact our General Manager Austin Anderson, he would love to talk with you about your day and make some accomodation.

Secondly, I would like to share what I think is special about Grand Elk, and perhaps re-frame some of your experience. Grand Elk is a “links” style golf course by design, and is quite different from your typical American course. It is meant to echo the traditional “links’ courses in Scotland and Ireland, and is designed to play fast and firm and to allow for the bump and run shots that you see in the British Open. Many of those great links courses have limited or even no irrigation systems at all-when it is dry there the courses are sometimes extremely firm, as we have seen in some recent British Opens. Grand Elk does have a full irrigation system and they try to use it wisely, conserving water and maintaining the fast and firm conditions the Members love. During hot and windy periods like we have recently experienced in Grand County, the course can become firmer than intended, but it is not possible to just flip a switch and change the nature of the course.

Many American courses have tried to become “weather proof”, with outrageously expensive Sub Air systems to dry out the course during wet periods, and over-watering in spite of droughts. At Grand Elk, they have a philosophy of careful water and chemical management, and we embrace the changing nature of the course as Mother Nature dictates.

I understand the “links” experience is not for everyone, but for those of us who love “links” golf, Grand Elk provides some of the most authentic Scottish-style play in Colorado. As for the ground squirrels that live on the course, they are part of the wildlife on this piece of property. The only way to eliminate them completely would be widespread use of poison, which would also harm the hawks and other predators that feed on them. The crew at Grand Elk spends countless hours filling the holes they make, and flooding their tunnels to encourage them to return to the native areas, but some years are more of a challenge than others.

I hope this helps to clarify the unique nature of golf at Grand Elk for you and others that might consider playing in the future. I understand if that does not appeal to you, Justin, but many of us who are Members or regulars at Grand Elk find the challenge and beauty of Grand Elk golf to be a special experience!

Sincerely, ...

Absolutely, terrible experience. I booked tee times for 7 friends for my 40th birthday. We get to the course and get pushed to the back 9, with no directions on where to go. We were able to play 2 holes before the cart demanded we return to the clubhouse due to weather. Once we got back to the clubhouse we were issued rain checks, and not even for the full amount, of what we paid. As we were waiting to decide if we can go back out, we sat in the bar area, but then a server came by and said we had less than ten minutes, and we had to leave the bar. They hadn’t even allowed play to resume at that point. Ridiculous that we couldn’t play and we couldn’t wait in the clubhouse. I have a voucher for less than what I paid, but at this point not even sure I would want to come back. Rude staff and frankly wet and soggy course, even before the rain started. Not sure it is worth driving back to this course from Denver. If I could this would be a zero star review. Very dis appointing way to...

Always LOVE to play Grand Elk Colf Club. From the moment you park your car you feel welcomed. The staff greets you at your vehicle with your cart already stocked and ready to go. From there you can make your way to the golf pro shop check in and grab an awesome beverage to take the edge off before a round. Complimentary range balls with your round are a nice touch to get the blood pumping and stretch out. That's just the ammenities before the round begins!

The course is nothing short of amazing. Technical fairways that are very forgiving, even for a mid handicap like myself. This rough is TOUGH! And the greens are TRICKY, I will say that. And the back 9 will give you a run for your money. Don't have too many at the turn! But always a pleasure at Grand Elk Golf Club. The staff is amazing, the facility is top notch and the course is always in great shape. And 90 minutes from Denver with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountain National Park. What are you waiting for?! GET...