23 Bella Ridge, a new 18-hole golf course in Colorado, has opened for preview play, ahead of its official opening in spring 2026. The course is between Denver and Fort Collins on land that was once a dairy farm operated by the Podtburg family. It has been designed by Art Schaupeter, vice president at Troon’s TCS Agronomic & Renovation Services. Why is this project so important from a public golf standpoint? Bella Ridge is a real community asset. With that will come a sense of community pride as well as a great access point into golf for those who don’t currently play. New private courses and high-end resort layouts cater mostly to existing golfers. Bella Ridge creates an opportunity to introduce new players to the joys of golf. Short tee areas have been incorporated into each hole with no forced carries from those tees. This will encourage family play and will create a more comfortable experience for beginner golfers of any age. To further encourage nongolfers to give the sport a try, there Photo: Art Schaupeter TEE BOX The short par-four fourteenth, with a green perched on a hill, is one of Schaupeter’s ‘anchor’ holes “Bella Ridge is a real community asset” Art Schaupeter speaks about the vision, routing and playing experience of his new public course in Colorado. Q&A with Art Schaupeter
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