Great in this order: 1) Company (as in my playing partners); 2) Course; 3) Day. I met a college soccer teammate, Lindy Manuel, who I had not seen in 40 years. I felt sorry for our playing partners, Lane and Jen, as they had to put up with us reminiscing about our college escapades.
The Omni Hotel and Golf course is outstanding. Lindy and Lane were here for a conference and had already played 18 holes of this 27-hole facility. They had previously played the Sunshine & Eldorado 9’s. Today we are tackling the Vista 9.
The Vista 9 winds around the outside of the facility, surrounding the Sunshine 9. You will need to carry the native grasses with your initial tee shot and a par opportunity awaits if you succeed. Number two is a sweet par three with a “canyon” to carry between you and the green. Even if you hit the green, it is no bargain on this undulating surface. Keep your shots right on number three and you won’t find trouble. Number five is long, uphill and into the wind – just keep hitting it straight.
As you stand on the hill at number six, you have to decide – how much do I need to score at this hole? This is a short 267 yard par four risk/reward hole. Do you have the length to go for it (your straight shot has to carry a number of bunkers) or play it safe by driving to the right and a wide fairway? Choosing the former is a great chance for birdie (or disaster), the latter is your best choice for par.
Good luck on the final three holes – handicaps #1, #3, and #4. David Graham (the 1981 US Open Champion) and Gary Panks designed this course and must have thought it would be a PGA Tour stop. Hole seven is the #1 handicap and you have to navigate a pond, a creek, and a downhill lie to the green. The uphill par 5 eighth is a dogleg right with a green surrounded by a beach. Combine all the characteristics of holes eight and nine and you come up with a great finishing stretch. Nine has a fairway that slopes downhill but then you have to hit your second shot (a downhill lie) back uphill over a creek to a green surrounded by bunkers. I hope you make some birdies on the first six because there will not be many coming home.
Ace: If the other two 9’s are as good as the Vista, I would suggest making this a destination stay. It is a convenient location off US 36 between Boulder and Denver. You might find the fees a little pricey, but it is well worth the splurge. Staying at the Omni Resort Hotel with a trip to Coors Field in Denver and Pearl Street in Boulder would be a great weekend getaway.
800 Eldorado Blvd., Broomfield, CO 80021; 303-464-9000; www.omniinterlockengolfclub.com
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