Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, underwent a comprehensive renovation by Tom Doak and Eric Iverson of Renaissance Golf, which lasted from 2007 to 2022. The project focused on restoring the original features of the course designed by William Flynn in the 1920s. This included restoring Little Dry Creek, reintroducing cross bunkers, renovating bunkers, and restoring greens to their original form. The goal was to enhance the playing experience for members while still maintaining the historic elements of the course.
One of the standout features of Cherry Hills is its “tilt” greens, which feature strong slopes that run across the entire length of the putting surfaces. These greens, a hallmark of classic design, offer a unique challenge to players due to their subtleties and strategic demands. Doak praises the original design of the greens, noting that it is difficult to replicate such features in modern golf course construction due to increased greens speeds.
The course layout at Cherry Hills is designed to adhere to the natural landscape, with the front and back nine looping around each other in a figure-8 pattern. Little Dry Creek plays a significant role in the design, intersecting six holes and adding to the strategic elements of the course. The surrounding views of the Rocky Mountains and the well-maintained landscape contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the course.
The restoration project also focused on enhancing the variety and playability of the putting surfaces, collars, chipping areas, and greenside bunkers. By restoring Flynn’s original forms and subtle slopes, the Doak team aimed to create a more cohesive and challenging experience for players. The Par 3s range in length, providing a range of shot requirements and strategic decisions for players of all skill levels.
Cherry Hills offers a mix of hole differentiations, with right-to-left and left-to-right drives and varying lengths. The strategic placement of fairway bunkers forces players to think strategically about their tee shots and approach angles to the greens. The reintroduction of cross bunkers on certain holes adds an element of risk and reward to the course, challenging players to make strategic decisions.
The course design at Cherry Hills also emphasizes the use of native flora and fauna to enhance playability without compromising the strategic flexibility of the layout. The removal of excessive trees during the restoration project opened up playing lines, promoted better turf conditions, and improved overall views of the course. The maintenance and agronomy at Cherry Hills are top-notch, showcasing what can be achieved with modern technologies and resources.
Overall, Cherry Hills Country Club offers a classic parkland golf experience that stands out for its historic significance and strategic design elements. The restoration work done by Doak and Iverson has brought the course back to its original glory, making it suitable for hosting top-tier championships once again. From the memorable layout to the challenging tilt greens, Cherry Hills is a course that demands thoughtful strategy and rewards precision in every shot.
