Interestingly, Cherry Hills Country Club wasn’t just about golf initially. Founded in 1922, some Denver Country Club members simply wanted a dedicated golf club. They even named it after the cherry orchard on the grounds.
Cherry Hills Country Club quickly became a gem. William Flynn, a top architect, designed the original course. He called it a top-notch layout. His fee was a handsome $4,500.
Great names in golf have graced Cherry Hills. The tradition of championship golf continues at this mile-high course. The club’s signature colors are cherry red and white. It is a private club in Cherry Hills Village. It is a suburb south of Denver.
Let’s step back to 1938. Cherry Hills hosted the U.S. Open. It was the first club west of Minneapolis to do so. Ralph Guldahl defended his title. But Ray Ainsley made history of a different kind. He scored a 19 on the 16th hole. It is still the highest single-hole score in U.S. Open history.
In 1941, the PGA Championship came to Cherry Hills. Vic Ghezzi defeated Byron Nelson. Denver craved professional golf after World War II. Cherry Hills members formed a corporation for the first Denver Open in 1947.
Then came 1960. Many consider this U.S. Open the greatest. Arnold Palmer was seven shots back going into the final round. He asked sportswriter Bob Drum what a 65 might do. Drum said it was too far back. But Palmer drove the first green. He birdied six of the first seven holes. Palmer’s 65 gave him his first U.S. Open. Ben Hogan faltered on the 17th. Jack Nicklaus finished second.
Cherry Hills has hosted many USGA championships. These include the U.S. Open in 1938, 1960, and 1978. Phil Mickelson won the U.S. Amateur here in 1990. Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Senior Open in 1993. Birdie Kim won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2005. She holed out from a greenside bunker.
Tom Doak significantly restored the course in 2008. Many trees were removed. Original bunkers were restored. The course now aligns more with Flynn’s original design. The course measures 7,348 yards from the member tees.
The 16th hole is a favorite for many players. Most hit fairway woods to avoid Little Dry Creek. Ray Ainsley’s infamous 19 happened here.
The 14th hole is arguably the toughest. Phil Mickelson closed out Manny Zerman here. He won the 1990 U.S. Amateur.
The 18th is one of golf’s most difficult finishing holes. The water hazard makes things interesting. The club unveiled a new clubhouse and revitalized course in its centennial year. Cherry Hills continues to stand as a true classic.