As I’ve mentioned before, it is tough to find tee times these days in the Denver area. There aren’t many choices, even just trying to book a single spot a few days in advance. However, I managed to find a late afternoon tee time at Pelican Lakes Golf Course, which is about an hour north of Denver.

The course was closed for the club championship until 3pm, so I was one of the first tee times after the event finished. I figured the pace wouldn’t be too bad with a mostly open course. Well, I figured wrong. The pace was a disaster. I paired with two others and it took us three and a half hours to play 13 holes, trailing a slow group. We finally skipped ahead a hole and I went back to play the hole I skipped in virtual darkness. Not sure it saved me much time, but at least I was moving.

In addition to the blah pace, every single pin was tucked about five paces from the edge of the green. I guess the play was to hit it to the middle of the green and try to two putt from 30 feet each hole. Not a bunch of fun for your average hack. Glad I didn’t play in the club championship!

As far as the design itself goes, I thought it was solid. Pelican Lakes is a Ted Robinson Sr. design that opened in 1999. The course is part of an upscale community and while there are homes around, none should really be in play.

I played the black/blue combo tees which are 72.7/140/6897. The most unique feature about the course is all the water or “lakes” that line the holes. The course also follows a river through the property. I looked at the satellite image before playing here, got worried, and bought some extra golf balls. Rough guess, I’d say there is water in play on twelve holes. Somehow I didn’t lose any golf balls in the water and just one in the tall grass. But, there is a lot of lost ball trouble here.

The water allows for some good golf holes. On the front nine the 185 yard par-3 4th was my favorite hole. It plays across the river and a couple cottonwood trees frame the tee shot. Overall though, the back nine has the best collection of holes. The 10th and 11th are fun holes that play around a lake. Make sure to miss left there. Then the closing holes are strong. For example, the 17th is a long par-3 (208 yards) with another lake to the right. The green angles to the right so missing left is best.

The green fee was $110, so Pelican Lakes was a bit pricey so late in the day. As you’ll see in the pictures, the conditions were very nice. All the grass was full and lush. The greens were pure and fast.

Pelican Lakes is a decent modern design with some memorable holes. My only complaint – which won’t be surprising to hear – is that there are too many bunkers for my tastes. Overall, I think it is probably worth the drive from Denver if you are looking to play an upscale course. Oh, and the course lives up to its name – I saw a pelican in one of the lakes.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):