Castle Pines Golf Club was home to one of the most popular tour stops on the PGA Tour, The International , until 2007 when the tournament called it quits. Not only was the unique format of this tournament popular, but the golf course was considered one of the best on the PGA Tour. The International was the brain child of Jack Vickers and had been on the tour schedule for over 20 years. Though the Tour has left this phenomenal golf course, it still remains one of the highlights of golf in Colorado.

Castle Pines Golf Club is located in Castle Rock, Colorado and has some of the most dramatic elevation changes on any golf course. This is one of the most exclusive private clubs in the entire state and gets very little play during the year. Players of all ability levels agree that this is a very challenging golf course. During the golf season the course is kept in tour condition with greens that are lighting fast.

As players travel around the golf course they will notice that great care has been taken to make the golf course visually appealing. The rolling hills and dense pine forests captivate the golfer and occasionally some of their golf balls as well. Many of the holes feature natural and man-made water features that compliment the natural surroundings as exampled by the 3rd hole.

The 3rd hole is a long par-4 that measures 462 yards from the back tee. This hole has a split fairway that is divided by a water hazard that runs all the way to the left side of the green. Players have the option of going for the right or left fairway. Longer hitters should try for the right fairway as this will give the player the best angle into the well guarded green. If you take the chance at the right carry you will be forced to carry the stream that bisects the fairway here.

The best line off the tee for most players is toward the bunker on the left-hand side of the fairway. The green on this hole is guarded by a bunker in front of and behind the green and water on the left-hand side. The green is long but narrow and can be difficult to hold from the left fairway. Aim for the middle of the green for the best chance at par.

There is a good mix of long and short holes at Castle Pines which was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Typical of most of his golf courses you will find generous fairways and large undulating green. What makes this golf course so dramatic are the large pines that line both sides of many of the fairways and fantastic golf course conditions.

Castle Pines gives players some great chances to make birdies and one of the most famous holes on the golf course is the par-5 17th hole. This golf hole alone has produced some of the most dramatic finishes during the course of the International tournament. This hole measures 492 yards from the back tee but plays straight uphill all the way. The hole has a slight dogleg left, and the best approach to this green will be from the right side of the fairway. From the tee aim to the right side of the fairway - the left side can block the view from the green with large mounds.

Under the Stableford system that is used during the International tournament, eagles are worth 8 points and can quickly vault a player into contention. Most players on tour can reach this green in two shots and many eagles have been scored on this hole. The green is guarded by two bunkers that are deep and the green is elevated. With the thin air at this Colorado elevation, this should be an easy green to hit in two shots.

Castle Pines Golf Club has taken great care in providing their guest the best in country club living. They have a great club house, a golf course that is well designed and always in good condition and was previously a PGA Tour tournament golf course. The assortment of good risk/reward holes makes this a very special golf course.

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