Welcome back, golfers! Following a multi-year renovation project, Golf Westminster is excited to welcome back golfers to a new and improved Walnut Creek and Legacy Ridge.

The renovations at both courses focused primarily on replacing aging irrigation systems with newer technology that will make maintenance more efficient and sustainable, all while improving playability.

Parks and Golf Superintendent Chris Johnson said the City got its money’s worth from the original systems that were installed when the courses were built back in the 1990s.

“Irrigation systems in the ‘90s were based on a 25-year lifespan. We were coming up on our dates, but we’ve had incredibly good maintenance on our systems,” Johnson said. “They have been operated with longevity in mind, very highly maintained. But they were wearing out. We started seeing leaks, breakages, a lot of wear and tear.”

Older PVC pipes and sprinklers have been replaced with newer HDPE piping and high-end components that have a 50-year lifespan and will keep both courses in top-notch shape reliably and sustainably for decades to come.

“Over the past year, our big focus has been maintenance improvements to make us sustainable for the future,” said Joe Carlton, head golf professional at Legacy Ridge. “Water is a very valuable, very expensive resource, so we want to be good stewards of what we have, including the land, and leave as small a footprint as possible.” 

Rather than utilizing potable water for irrigation, the City of Westminster golf courses both use reclaimed water, which saves the City’s resources for other uses.

Westminster’s two municipal courses are hidden gems of the Front Range golf community. Both Walnut Creek and Legacy Ridge offer high-quality golf experiences comparable to much more expensive private courses.

“There are very few country clubs that offer the golfing conditions and level of maintenance that we do,” Johnson said. “That’s a pat on the back for all the hardworking staff here. The value level for golf in Westminster is incredible.”

Returning players will notice a few changes to the courses this season, including better sightlines and additional tee boxes for players of all ages and abilities. Additionally, several fairways have been widened, and some rough areas have been cut shorter to improve playability.

Carlton said even though the courses have been made more accommodating in some ways, experienced golfers can still challenge themselves at both facilities.

“You can choose your own adventure, so it can definitely still be challenging if you want it to be, but we’ve made it more enjoyable for players of all skill levels,” he said. “We’re excited to have everyone back. The feedback we’ve had so far has been very positive, and people are having a good time.”

The biggest change to either course is the pond renovation near Hole 4 at Legacy Ridge. What was previously a weather-dependent water feature has been nearly doubled in size, and properly lined to hold reclaimed water used for irrigation.

The enhanced pond feature was created in partnership with the City’s Public Works and Utilities Department and helps conserve water resources while providing a more picturesque Par 3.

Along with improvements to the courses, Golf Westminster has partnered with a local business to improve on its wildly successful golf instruction offerings. A new partnership with Trent Wearner Golf Academy will help meet increasing demand for clinics and lessons for golfers of all ages and abilities.

“In 2017 we started running our own programs, and we had such high demand we could not serve enough customers with our in-house staff,” Johnson said. “We developed and grew the community to the point where we couldn’t meet demand. And now people are excited to get their kids into the game, and this partnership will help with that.”

Carlton agreed and said the entire Golf Westminster staff is excited to welcome back golfers for a full season of fun and exciting times at both courses.

“The biggest thing for us is providing great, memorable experiences at a great value,” he said. “Golfers and non-golfers alike, we feel like we’re ready to bring that value back to the community.”

The irrigation work is expected to wrap up at Walnut Creek by mid-summer. The Walnut Creek refresh will also include bunker renovations over the next few years to enhance the playability of the golf course. Golfers may still see progress being made on the Legacy Ridge Golf Course parking lot throughout the summer which will not affect play.

To learn more about golf in Westminster, schedule a tee time, or sign up for instruction, download the Golf Westy app or visit westminsterco.gov/GolfWestminster

Why walk when you can ride? Rent a golf bike the next time you’re on the course!