About Sanctuary

Sanctuary was created as a place of refuge, preservation and nourishment. Not just for wildlife, flora and fauna – but for service organizations committed to developing unique relationships with those who support their efforts to improve our community. The golf course has been carefully placed into a fragile and beautiful ecosystem – guided by a commitment to stewardship that focuses not just on habitat protection, but on good citizenship as well.

The philosophy of stewardship, which created Sanctuary, has enabled it to nurture some of our community’s most valued non-profit organizations. Success of the concept has exceeded all expectations. To date more than 235 charities have netted more than 43 million dollars to directly benefit the many constituents they serve.

Designed by renowned course architect Jim Engh, the course protects a private oasis of 220 acres from residential development, effectively complementing 12,400 surrounding acres of dedicated open space. The course’s irrigated area comprises 85 acres. There are 24 acres of fairways, and 164,665 square feet of greens.
The highest point of the course is the first hole’s rattlesnake tee, at 6,590 feet. The lowest point is, 350 feet lower, the pond on the 15th hole. The drop from tee to green on the first hole is 245 feet, with a drop of 185 feet to the first landing area. Total downhill play on the course is 850 vertical feet. Only four holes play uphill. It is estimated that a golf ball travels 11 percent farther at Sanctuary’s altitude compared with sea level. The many elevation drops and shifting wind patterns make club selection an interesting challenge.        
          
Sanctuary has been rated among Golf Digest’s Top 100 Best Golf Courses in the United States for 6 years.
 
“Simpy the most spectacular golf course I have ever seen.”
-Gary McCord, CBS Golf Analyst, Senior PGA Tour Professional
 
“It is special in the Augusta National, Pebble Beach sense of the word.”
- Tom Cushman, San Diego Union Tribune
 
“Sanctuary is an unbelievable testimony to Jim Engh’s architectural skills.”
- Peter Kostis, CBS Golf Analyst
 
“Sanctuary is perhaps the most magnificent course in Colorado.”
- John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News