A last-minute invitation to a golf outing found me arriving late from Denver International Airport. I grabbed an Uber and the driver sped toward the Omni Interlocken Resort while I tried to guide him using directions on my iPhone. Early the next morning I joined the foursome: Gary Huang of EVA Air, John Jermyn of American Express, Ed Henderson of Exxon Mobil and myself.
I’ve played the Omni Interlocken Golf Club many times when visiting Denver for conferences. Its award-winning layout with three distinct nine-hole courses makes it ideal for large outings like the one held during the Global Business Travel Association convention. Picture an event where airline and hotel executives and business travel planners all compete for the annual cup — a lively way to kick off the convention and introduce attendees to the travel industry’s best innovations.
Designed by Graham and Panks International, the club opened in 1999 during a modern golf boom. The collaboration between David Graham, the 1981 U.S. Open champion, and Gary Panks created an exceptional golf venue spread across more than 300 acres between Boulder and Denver.
Our team finished third (apparently seven birdies still weren’t enough), but we enjoyed the friendly competition, the course’s challenges and the camaraderie of the day.
Vista Course
HOLE 2 | 183 yards, par 3
By the time we reached the second hole on the Vista nine, Bloody Marys were flowing. A creek and dense brush cross the green, so errant shots rarely survive. Ed hit the shot of the day in front of a cheering group of hole-sponsor staff. I hooked my ball into a drainage ditch on the left — findable, but not helpful for the team. Gary found a bunker on the right, and John’s ball went straight into the creek. Ed calmly sank the putt for a birdie, setting an early tone.
HOLE 5 | 240 yards, par 3
The tournament organizers had moved the tees up for Hole 5, reducing the yardage on the card. A steady headwind pushed shots back and left; the group ahead of us had already left their ball short and behind a bunker. Gary’s tee shot landed left of the green and was our best positioning; the rest of us scattered around the hole. Ed produced a remarkable 20-foot chip that dropped in for another birdie, keeping our momentum going.
HOLE 7 | 482 yards, par 4
Our shotgun start placed us on Hole 7, the course’s No. 1 handicap. Driving too far left risks the fescue or the creek that lines the left side of the fairway; favoring the right is often the smarter play. Gary and I stayed right and ended up with two good balls in position “A” for our second shots. The creek crosses the fairway and cuts across the green about 95 yards from the cup, so approach shots require care. Our approach settled around 120 yards out; after a few cautious plays Gary produced a high shot to the green and two-putted for par to start the round steadily.
Sunshine Course
HOLE 3 | 237 yards, par 3
A stiff wind and the “hole-in-one” sponsorship meant more club than usual. Gary’s tee shot disappeared into fescue on the right. Ed and John came up short, but my drive found the green, leaving about 20 feet to the cup — close enough that the hole-in-one prize stayed untouched. The officials remarked I was among the closest so far, and a two-putt gave us a respectable par.
HOLE 6 | 553 yards, par 5
With the wind at our backs we teed high and let the balls fly. My drive favored the left but avoided the traps, rolling farther than expected and providing the best position for our next shots. Each teammate took turns with fairway woods on the best ball; John left us about 120 yards from the green, and Ed’s approach landed just past the cup at the back of the green. No birdies here, but a par on a long hole felt like a small victory.
HOLE 7 | 470 yards, par 4
This hole, the No. 1 handicap on the Sunshine nine, demands respect. Traps along the left and right sides of the fairway and a large bunker protecting the left side of the green can ruin birdie chances. Gary, Ed and John all produced solid drives; my tee shot found the left-side traps. I redeemed myself by reaching the green with the next shot, enabling a two-putt par for the team.
OMNI INTERLOCKEN RESORT GOLF CLUB
800 Eldorado Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80021
tel 303 494 9000
interlockengolf.com