Redlands Mesa - Colorado - USA

Architect Jim Engh is a most resourceful designer and equally fine player too. He spent his early development years in Europe and then when coming back to the States took on some of the most demanding of sites to create golf courses. Redlands Mesa is very attractive layout -- the rolling land the course occupies provides for a wide range of situations. But there are times when Engh overplays his desire to shape the flow and tenor of the course. Sometimes, a less is more approach can yield even more striking outcomes. Among my favorites are the mid-length par-4's at the 11th and 16th holes respectively. My issue with Redlands Mesa is that the totality of the layout is just not there -- and the course benefits immensely from its setting near to the Colorado National Monument.

One of the more noted dimensions at Redlands Mesa is the deep and jagged edge bunkers which Engh specializes in creating. They are to be treated with respect because there's a far greater likelihood that anything but a flat stance and simple lie will happen.

Redlands Mesa reaped a good deal of awareness for Engh but the sum of his philosophy would come just a short time later with his more comprehensive efforts at two other public courses in the Centennial State -- Four Mile Ranch in Canon City and Lakota Canyon in New Castle and his fine effort with the private club Pradera.

by M. James Ward

The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa is one of the most unique and dramatic courses that I have ever played. Continuously ranked in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses” since 2005, this layout reminds me of the controversial Michael Stantz designed Tobacco Road in North Carolina. Ranging from 4,890 up to just over 7,000 yards, Architect Jim Engh offers banked fairways for ease of play, 41 unique shaped bunkers to test you and dramatic downhill par 3’s. There are eleven elevated tees which is ideal for ladies. The 4th hole is a short par 4 where you need to conscious of the cliff on the rights with a second that is paramount as the green juts out on the edge of a cliff. Hole #5 is the toughest on the course - a very unique downhill par 5 with a great view of the city and mountains in the background. You need a booming drive to reach the corner of this right angle dog leg so that you can see your uphill approach shot to a two tiered green. The 16th hole is a dog leg left with an amphitheater green banked so your ball should filter to the green but if not you are left with a tough downhill chip. Do not miss this course!