Hoping to keep your wallet out of the rough this golf season? These five courses in the Vail Valley and two in Summit County offer bargains via season passes, stay-and-play packages, and discounted greens fees.

The Course:
Vail Golf Club, Vail 

The Deal: Eagle County residents benefit from either a season pass or a multiple-round pass. Season passes range from $150 for a Junior Silver Pass to $2,400 for a Gold Pass. A 10-round pass costs $650-$700 based on residency; a 20-round, 9-hole pass runs $650 to $750 based on residency. All passes are restricted during peak season, while the 10-round pass and 20-round, 9-hole pass are transferable. Walking saves $12 versus renting a golf cart during twilight rounds (after 3:30 p.m.). New this season is the golf bike: an alternative to the golf cart, this six-speed bicycle rents for $15 for 18 holes. The Details: Public. Golf Digest has lauded the Ben Krueger–designed Vail Golf Club as a “Top 100 Resort Course.” It plays 7,024 yards from the tips. 970-479-2260; vailrec.com

The Courses: EagleVail Golf Club, Avon

The Deal: A season pass is available for $1,299, cart included. A 10-round punch card ranges between $750 for nonresidents, $700 for Eagle County residents, and $650 for EagleVail residents; cart is included and passes/punch cards are transferable. An EagleVail/Vail Golf Club combo 10-round punch card runs $600, but five rounds must be played at each course. Stay-and-play packages, offered to guests staying at select Vail Valley lodging properties, typically include one round of golf per person, per night of lodging. The Willow Creek par 3 course is only $12 for adults, $9 for kids. Check the website for the latest stay-and-play offers and “Hot Deal” specials that save golfers up to 26%. The Details: Public. EagleVail Golf Club is a Devlin/Von Hagge design playing 6,836 yards from the tips. 970-790-1200; eaglevailgolfclub.com

The Courses: The Club At Cordillera, Edwards 

The Deal: Those considering becoming members can purchase a full golf membership for $35,000, which allows play on the Hale Irwin–designed Mountain Course, the Jack Nicklaus–designed Summit Course, and the Valley Course, designed by Tom Fazio. A real plus is the opportunity to tee up at more than 40 private courses for just a cart fee and 80+ resort courses at a significant savings thanks to Cordillera’s participation in the Troon Privé collection.

The Bonus: Guests of the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera and select Vail Valley lodging properties can save via stay-and-play packages that include lodging and golf. An advance purchase special earns 30% off any length of stay when booking 30 days in advance.

The Details: Three semiprivate, 18-hole courses: the Valley Course (7,091 yards from the tips), the Summit Course (7,530 yards from the tips), and the Mountain Course (7,457 yards from the tips). 970-926-3500; cordillera-vail.com

The Club at Cordillera
Real Estate News

Eric Lyon, an area real estate professional for nearly 20 years, recently announced that Vail Real Estate Group was chosen as the exclusive sales company for The Club at Cordillera. Lyon, well versed in each of Cordillera’s four distinct neighborhoods, is pleased to see resurgence in the marketplace. “I attribute the positive activity to several reasons,” says Lyon. “One is basic supply and demand. Cordillera’s supply is down over 25% since last year. I also believe that people finally under stand that there is nowhere else in this valley where you have access to world-class skiing, world-class golf, and a strong sense of community all wrapped in one location.” Need proof? Over the last 12 months Cordillera has seen more than 70 real estate transactions and the Troon Privé managed club has sold more than 400 memberships. “As the exclusive broker for the Club at Cordillera we have buying and selling incentives that no one else can offer related to club memberships.” 

The Course: Eagle Ranch Golf Club, Eagle

The Deal: Town of Eagle residents can buy an annual pass for $1,500 ($2,095 with cart); Eagle, Summit, and Garfield County residents can purchase a season membership for $1,800 ($2,395 with cart). During peak season 18 holes and 9 holes are available to Town of Eagle residents for $75 and $45 (cart included). Guests pay $34 more for 18 holes. See the course’s website for stay-and-play package details. The Details: Semiprivate Arnold Palmer Signature design. Plays 7,530 yards from the tips. 970-328-2882; eagleranchgolf.com

The Course: Gypsum Creek Golf Course, Gypsum

The Deal: Individuals can buy an annual passes for $1,600, which allows unlimited play. Couples pay $1,999 for the unlimited annual pass. Families pay $2,699 for the unlimited annual pass. Annual passes include a small bucket of balls pre-round, cart, and a free pass to the outdoor pool. Gypsum Creek’s 10-round punch card costs $540 and is good for 9 rounds of 18. It can be used for 20 rounds of nine or any combination of 9 or 18. The punch card has no blackout dates, is transferrable and includes cart and a small bucket of range balls per 9 or 18 hole round. A Western Slope Players Club card costs $75 and buys one 18-hole round (cart included) at 13 participating courses (including Battlement Mesa Golf Club, Devil’s Thumb Golf Course, and Divide Ranch & Club) for only $30 per round. Contact the pro shop for current stay-and-play packages.The Details: Public. Pete Dye Signature course playing 6,980 yards from the back tees. 970-524-6200; gypsumcreekgolf.com.

The Courses: Keystone Ranch Course, Keystone 

The Deal: Individual unlimited season passes cost $3,200; individual limited-plus season passes cost $2,000; couples’ unlimited season passes cost $6,000; couples’ limited-plus season passes cost $3,800. A friend-and-family rate of $100 per person per round is extended to those playing with season pass holders. A “12-Pack” costs $1,320 and includes 12 transferable 18-hole rounds, allowing play on either of the resort’s two courses (cart included). Other passes include a summer “Fore Pack” ($376) and fall “Fore Pack” ($276), which allow four 18-hole rounds. Golfers can save up to 28% on stay-and-play packages, which are posted on the course’s website.The Details: The Ranch Course: Semiprivate, Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. Plays 7,090 yards from the tips. The River Course: Semiprivate, designed by Hurdzan-Fry. Plays 6,886 yards from the tips. 855/536-5429; keystoneresort.com

Vail Valley Real Estate Market Rebounding 

In 2012 a stock market plunge on Wall Street sent a shockwave through the national local real estate market. But it appears a turnaround is in the making. A year ago the Dow Jones Industrial Average hovered at around 14,800 points. Today it yo-yos between 15,700 and the low 16,000s. Historically low interest rates, fewer foreclosed properties, and mortgage companies more willing to loan to qualified buyers signal that buyer confidence is returning. According to the Q1 2014 Slifer Report published by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, sales in the Vail Valley rose to more than $243 million, compared to $191 million during the same period in 2013. The median sales price for a single-family home in Vail Village in Q1 2014 was $7,850,000, while condo/townhome sales were above $2 million, further underscoring a move in the right direction.

 Kim McHugh, a Lowell Thomas award-winning writer and member of the Golf Writers Association of America, works as a Denver-based resort real estate marketing consultant/strategist.