Golf Course Architecture - Issue 66, October 2021

ON S I TE Bradley S Klein reports on the recent work by Matt Dusenberry that has made Cornerstone’s course, situated near the San Juan Mountains, more playable for its members Back on top CORNERSTONE CLUB, MONTROSE , COLORADO 72 I t’s tempting to say that from the first tee at Cornerstone in Montrose, Colorado, it’s all downhill from there. But that’s only because the back tee on the opening hole happens to be the highest spot on the property, 9,214 feet above sea level. From there, the recently reopened real estate course tumbles down 162 feet to the farthest point from the clubhouse, at the eleventh green. Along the way and back, the trouble you might have – catching your breath – isn’t just because of the thin air. This part of the Rockies, called the San Juan Mountains, is legendary for its beauty, severity and changing weather conditions. The immediate landmass that is home to Cornerstone, called the Uncompahgre Plateau, sits midway in western Colorado between Telluride and Grand Junction. It is a paradise for rugged naturalists into biking, hunting, fishing and skiing. Now with Cornerstone they can also claim golf. The 4,800-acre property opened in 2008 with a Greg Norman-designed golf course that was part of a very relaxed land plan. More than half the land is an environmental set- aside, and home lots vary from one to 100 acres. The recession took its toll, however, forcing closure of the development Photo: Matt Dusenberry