First project phase will involve remodel of hole 13
DENVER– Dye Designs Group, proud contributor to the Dye family’s golf course architecture legacy for more than 30 years, has been selected to begin renovations at Colorado’s Flatirons Golf Course.
Owned and operated by the city of Boulder, Flatirons is a popular 18 hole, par-70 course located just east of the University of Colorado campus. DDG’s work will be led by Matt McGarey, the firm’s senior design associate.
It will initially encompass a remodel of Hole 13, a 441-yard par 4 requiring modifications after the death of a large tree in the right 1/3 of the fairway.
McGarey worked closely with course general manager Tom Buzbee to devise several significant changes. They include the addition of two clover-shaped bunkers flanking the landing area approximately 200 and 270 yards from the middle tee box, and removal of three additional trees in the right rough.
Fairway lines will also be altered on the pin-straight hole to give it a greater sense of movement and increase strategic interest.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and be completed in March.
“The tree in the fairway heavily dictated strategy; without it, the hole no longer asked any questions of the player and allowed them to simply swing away without consequence,” said McGarey, who earlier this year led in-state renovation projects at The Club at Inverness south of Denver and Copper Creek at Copper Mountain ski resort.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the excavator this winter and shaping the new bunkers so they’re ready for the 2025 season.”
“I’m very familiar with the high-quality work and creative thinking that Dye Designs Group brings to the table,” said Buzbee. “Matt is an extremely talented designer, shaper and project manager who’s going to help us further elevate the golf experience at Flatirons.”
Flatirons was designed by Englishman Willie Tucker and opened in 1938. Like New York’s famed Bethpage State Park, it was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project that helped put people to work during the Great Depression.
Earlier this year, Flatirons opened a new clubhouse restaurant, the Ironwood Bar & Grille. Featuring American cuisine, Ironwood offers both sit-down and to-go service with an adjacent lawn area that can accommodate up to 175 guests for special events.
For more information about DDG’s design portfolio and current projects, please visit dyedesignsgroup.com