What makes Golden so golden? You'll hear the answer again and again: the people. These are the folks whose dreams and doings give Golden its spirit. In this series you'll get the long & short of it, a glimpse into the people who've created the places that you come to visit. 

This time, we visit the Golden Golf Club

Mini Club near the patio

Credit: Madeline Archibald

Walking into the Golden Golf Club is like sitting down in a friendly Goldenite’s front room. There’s light banter going on beside you, delicious smells coming from the kitchen, and a mountain vista out the window. The dining room itself has warm brown walls, an open floor, and wood accents. There’s a tinge of ski lodge aesthetic.

“We take on what the building is,” says Graeme, Director of Operations, “it’s a pub style, kind of low key. Good quality, good people”.

Cheeseburger on the patio

The club opened in 1986 with 9 holes. By the mid 90’s they had built the back 9 holes. And since then they slapped together 3 school houses to make the club building and restaurant. Authentically Golden, you might say.

The people moving through the space are diverse and friendly, definitely not the typical crowd that you’d find at a golf clubhouse. Sitting in the restaurant with Graeme, he lists off the occupations of every member that goes past: “That gentleman there is a teacher. That fellow is a firefighter. And that lady behind you is a professional chess player”. It’s really a community more than anything.

In the back, the cooks are grilling up a tasty cheeseburger burger and tossing a Cobb salad. The fish and chips (pro tip) comes highly recommended. Local beer from across the river at Whitetooth Brewery is on tap. One of the servers pours a cold one and takes it out onto the patio, which overlooks a quaint mini golf course. 

Whether you’re eating inside or out, you won’t miss a view of the mountains.  “This is a small-time club with big-time golf,” says Graeme, speaking to the award-winning 18-hole course that they have. But beyond that, you can schedule your lunch break around time at the driving range or play mini golf. And, conveniently, they have a 42-site RV park right on the grounds. So, play your round, down a cheeseburger, hit the driving range in the afternoon, and retire to the comfort of your site by evening. It’s the golfer’s dream package.  

The scenery at the golf course

Credit: Dave Best