ASPEN — Ownership of the restaurant at the Aspen Golf Club is changing hands, with longtime local restaurateur Shlomo Ben-Hamoo walking away from his lease a year early.
Beginning this spring, Shlomo’s on the Green will become Red Mountain Grille, which will be owned and operated by Jamie Ramey and Rich Burbidge, the current managers of the restaurant.
Steve Aitken, director of golf, will propose a 5-year lease for the Red Mountain Grille at half of the cost of Shlomo’s rent, which was $20,000 a year.
If approved by the Aspen City Council on March 24, Red Mountain Grille will pay $10,000 a year.
The reduced rent will enable the new operators to extend the hours of operation, which has been a bone of contention with golfers in recent years who have complained that Shlomo’s on the Green wasn’t open often enough.
The city’s lease with Shlomo wasn’t structured in a way that required the restaurant to be open during crucial times for golfers at the municipal course. That will change with the new lease.
“We want it tailored to golf,” Aitken said, adding the reduced rent is a subsidy of sorts. “[The restaurant] is not a real money maker for the operation; we look at it as an amenity.”
Golf course restaurants around Colorado also struggle with making a profit and face the same issues of high operational expenses while trying to meet the needs of golfers, Aitken said.
With any city-owned building, a Request For Proposals process is done in an attempt to find competing businesses that are interested in the lease. But in years past, Aitken said there’s been hardly any interest from restaurateurs to open up shop at the golf course, especially operating it year-round.
“It’s hard to find qualified applicants,” Aitken said. “No one would do it in the winter time, they wouldn’t touch it.”
The City Council will be asked to sign off on Red Mountain Grille without going out for bid on the lease. Aitken argues that because Ramey and Burbidge already comanaging the restaurant and have for two years, they are the best candidates to take over the operation.
“A successful restaurant operator needs to be there, on site, and these guys are,” Aitken said. “That’s how you fill the niche and needs of the customers.”
In the past year or so, Shlomo’s focus has turned to other interests and the restaurant appears to have become a low priority for him. Ramey and Burbidge are young, aggressive and ready to make a go of their new business.
“You’ve got two guys who really care about it,” Aitken said. “They are exactly what we need. They definitely want to step it up and make people happy.
“The passion of the operator to do that wasn’t there.”
Ramey has been overseeing the restaurant operations all winter, which has been open Wednesday through Sunday, primarily to serve nordic skiers on the golf course. Winter hours end this weekend.
Ramey and Burbidge will use the weeks before the golf course opens as a transition period to establish their corporation and tweak the restaurant operation.
During the golf season, Red Mountain Grille will open at 7 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m., and later into the evening. That means breakfast for early morning golfers and additional bar service. The previous lease only required the restaurant to be open until 6 p.m. Ramey said that will change this season.
The menu won’t change much and neither will the prices, which average in the $10 range, Ramey said.
“It will be affordable for locals and a good deal for tourists,” Ramey said.
Asked why he and his new business partner want to enter into a venture that’s difficult to turn a profit, Ramey replied, “I don’t think it’s everyone’s chosen profession. I’m a chef and you don’t always do it for the money.”
However, Ramey and Burbidge believe they can make the business successful.
Part of their business plan is to capture the local crowd who live at Truscott and around the golf course off of Cemetery Lane.
“It would seem to be a natural,” Aitken said. “They have a captive audience.”
Ramey and Burbidge have extensive culinary experience. They both have worked at the Aspen Skiing Co.’s restaurants, with Burbidge currently the executive chef at the Merry Go Round at Aspen Highlands.
Ramey has worked at Shlomo’s since 2004, working part-time during the summer months. He became a full-time employee in 2005 and started co-managing it with Burbidge shortly after.
In 2006, discussions about taking over the business began. Last year it was decided that Shlomo would step aside.
“I would like to thank Shlomo because without him, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” Ramey said.
Cart service on the golf course is expected to improve as well, with proposed hours of operation to be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional service as needed.
It’s unknown when the course will open, considering there is three feet of snow on the links right now. Aitken expects to be open by mid-April, if the weather cooperates.
Season passes are on sale. A 20-punch pass is $475 if purchased by April 1. After that, it will jump to $525. Season passes are $1,000 until April 1, and after that the season passes will be $1,200.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Spring preview: UCCS golfers gear up for title run
With the spring portion of the golf season starting on March 10, the UCCS men’s golf team is preparing for the rest of the season and the NCAA Division II Northwest Regional Championship held in California from May 5-7.
Ending the fall portion of the golf season, UCCS was ranked 19th, and going into the upcoming tournaments, they have moved into 15th without even playing.
“The ranking creates excitement for them, but they know what really matters,” said UCCS coach Phil Trujillo, who was named the Division II Regional Coach of the Year last season. “They know they have to play their best every time and get us past regionals. This team has a lot of experienced players on it, and they realize how important this spring is.”
Last year, the team went into regionals as the top seed because they were the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions. They were The RMAC champs two seasons in a row, and they are hoping to accomplish the top spot again this spring and make it to the NCAA Division II Championship held in Texas from May 14-17.
“I’m looking forward to a good spring and a national championship run,” said Trujillo. “We have a very good spring schedule with tournaments in California and Phoenix. I expect them to stay focused on our goals and play their best at all times.”
If you look at the men’s golf roster for this season, you will notice that all of the golfers are originally from Colorado. Trujillo stated that he doesn’t necessarily look for golfers from Colorado only, but with the budget, he goes for the best he can find here first.
“I believe that they understand how to manage their games better from playing in all types of weather,” Trujillo commented. “When it’s 40 degrees without the wind chill, and I tell them we’re teeing it up today, they don’t waiver; they get their clubs and ask what time to be there.”
The team has played extremely well on difficult golf courses, and they are able to create a large separation between themselves and the rest of the pack. They do, however, have a disadvantage on easier courses where the separation gap is lessened because the entire field plays a better game. UCCS does practice on difficult courses which helps them with the experience of tough play.
“We recruit players that have tons of tournament experience, so they know how to play on difficult courses,” explained Trujillo. “Most of these kids at this level can hit it 300 yards plus, and when the course isn’t difficult it becomes a pitch and putt contest. It really changes our mindset when we encounter layouts that reward ‘hit it anywhere and get away with it’, but our experience will allow us to adapt and stay ahead of the competition this spring.”
According to Trujillo, the guys are close, they hang out, and many of them even room with each other. They have friendships beyond the course. The team was also involved with the “Big Brother Association of El Paso County” last year.
“It was very rewarding for them and something that will remain with them for the rest of their lives,” said Trujillo. “It wasn’t easy getting up at 5:30 a.m. to meet their little brothers, but once there it was an amazing experience. We always want to be a part of the community in a positive way.”
Going into this season, four golfers remained from last season; Tyler Bishop, a junior from Longmont, David Hoffman, a junior from Colorado Springs, Eric Winder, a senior from Grand Junction and Barry Cornella, a junior from Canon City. Adding to the upper classmen is David Cosel, a transfer from University of Kansas, and Todd Napikowski, as transfer from New Mexico State. The three freshmen are Mitch Buchner from Loveland, Kevin Chan from Colorado Springs, and Brian Morfeld from Boulder.
When asked how the freshmen are incorporated into the team, Trujillo replied,”It’s a re-learning process for them. We incorporate them by playing many practice rounds with the upper classmen and showing them that collegiate golf is a different ballgame. They learn their roles on the team immediately and know they have to get better quickly.”
Trujillo has a lot of faith and confidence in the team going into the latter part of this season. He believes they are ready for regionals and the upcoming championships.
“I believe that this is the best group of boys that our program has had!” Trujillo exclaimed. “We’re solid in all five spots, and they can all compete with the best of them. I have nothing by confidence in them and look forward to accomplishing our goals.”
Ending the fall portion of the golf season, UCCS was ranked 19th, and going into the upcoming tournaments, they have moved into 15th without even playing.
“The ranking creates excitement for them, but they know what really matters,” said UCCS coach Phil Trujillo, who was named the Division II Regional Coach of the Year last season. “They know they have to play their best every time and get us past regionals. This team has a lot of experienced players on it, and they realize how important this spring is.”
Last year, the team went into regionals as the top seed because they were the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions. They were The RMAC champs two seasons in a row, and they are hoping to accomplish the top spot again this spring and make it to the NCAA Division II Championship held in Texas from May 14-17.
“I’m looking forward to a good spring and a national championship run,” said Trujillo. “We have a very good spring schedule with tournaments in California and Phoenix. I expect them to stay focused on our goals and play their best at all times.”
If you look at the men’s golf roster for this season, you will notice that all of the golfers are originally from Colorado. Trujillo stated that he doesn’t necessarily look for golfers from Colorado only, but with the budget, he goes for the best he can find here first.
“I believe that they understand how to manage their games better from playing in all types of weather,” Trujillo commented. “When it’s 40 degrees without the wind chill, and I tell them we’re teeing it up today, they don’t waiver; they get their clubs and ask what time to be there.”
The team has played extremely well on difficult golf courses, and they are able to create a large separation between themselves and the rest of the pack. They do, however, have a disadvantage on easier courses where the separation gap is lessened because the entire field plays a better game. UCCS does practice on difficult courses which helps them with the experience of tough play.
“We recruit players that have tons of tournament experience, so they know how to play on difficult courses,” explained Trujillo. “Most of these kids at this level can hit it 300 yards plus, and when the course isn’t difficult it becomes a pitch and putt contest. It really changes our mindset when we encounter layouts that reward ‘hit it anywhere and get away with it’, but our experience will allow us to adapt and stay ahead of the competition this spring.”
According to Trujillo, the guys are close, they hang out, and many of them even room with each other. They have friendships beyond the course. The team was also involved with the “Big Brother Association of El Paso County” last year.
“It was very rewarding for them and something that will remain with them for the rest of their lives,” said Trujillo. “It wasn’t easy getting up at 5:30 a.m. to meet their little brothers, but once there it was an amazing experience. We always want to be a part of the community in a positive way.”
Going into this season, four golfers remained from last season; Tyler Bishop, a junior from Longmont, David Hoffman, a junior from Colorado Springs, Eric Winder, a senior from Grand Junction and Barry Cornella, a junior from Canon City. Adding to the upper classmen is David Cosel, a transfer from University of Kansas, and Todd Napikowski, as transfer from New Mexico State. The three freshmen are Mitch Buchner from Loveland, Kevin Chan from Colorado Springs, and Brian Morfeld from Boulder.
When asked how the freshmen are incorporated into the team, Trujillo replied,”It’s a re-learning process for them. We incorporate them by playing many practice rounds with the upper classmen and showing them that collegiate golf is a different ballgame. They learn their roles on the team immediately and know they have to get better quickly.”
Trujillo has a lot of faith and confidence in the team going into the latter part of this season. He believes they are ready for regionals and the upcoming championships.
“I believe that this is the best group of boys that our program has had!” Trujillo exclaimed. “We’re solid in all five spots, and they can all compete with the best of them. I have nothing by confidence in them and look forward to accomplishing our goals.”
Superintendent is Named Colorado's Golf Person of the Year
The Colorado Golf Hall of Fame has named Steve Sarro, a Class A superintendent at Vail (Colo.) Golf Club, as the 2007 Colorado Golf Person of the Year.
Sarro organized and led a group of 28 Colorado and Wyoming superintendents, assistants, turf students, irrigation technicians and vendors to New Orleans in March 2006. The group aided four hurricane-stricken golf courses in their efforts to return to operation. In addition to giving a week of their time and labor to help repair the devastation caused by Katrina, the volunteers raised nearly $30,000 for the struggling Gulf Coast courses.
"I am proud and honored to have been given this award," said Sarro, who becomes the first superintendent to receive the honor. "But I hesitate to put our efforts in the past tense, as the guys down in New Orleans are still there and still giving it their all, after losing almost everything."
The group drove to New Orleans and divided into four groups, each staying five days and working dawn till dark at the public Brechtel Park Golf Course and Audubon Golf Course, as well as private English Turn Golf and Country Club and TPC Louisiana. Each course was extensively damaged by the hurricane. Sarro's crew cut trees, removed stumps and debris, repaired bunkers, greens and drainage, aerified and did general maintenance.
"You'll never appreciate how good it made us all feel to have the actual golfers come up to us and thank us for our efforts," said Sarro, who was also named the 2006 Superintendent of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association and the 2006 Turf Professional of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association.
"For us it was a wonderful opportunity to help them forget the horrible events of Katrina," he added.
Superintendent is Named Colorado's Golf Person of the Year
The Colorado Golf Hall of Fame has named Steve Sarro, a Class A superintendent at Vail (Colo.) Golf Club, as the 2007 Colorado Golf Person of the Year.
Sarro organized and led a group of 28 Colorado and Wyoming superintendents, assistants, turf students, irrigation technicians and vendors to New Orleans in March 2006. The group aided four hurricane-stricken golf courses in their efforts to return to operation. In addition to giving a week of their time and labor to help repair the devastation caused by Katrina, the volunteers raised nearly $30,000 for the struggling Gulf Coast courses.
"I am proud and honored to have been given this award," said Sarro, who becomes the first superintendent to receive the honor. "But I hesitate to put our efforts in the past tense, as the guys down in New Orleans are still there and still giving it their all, after losing almost everything."
The group drove to New Orleans and divided into four groups, each staying five days and working dawn till dark at the public Brechtel Park Golf Course and Audubon Golf Course, as well as private English Turn Golf and Country Club and TPC Louisiana. Each course was extensively damaged by the hurricane. Sarro's crew cut trees, removed stumps and debris, repaired bunkers, greens and drainage, aerified and did general maintenance.
"You'll never appreciate how good it made us all feel to have the actual golfers come up to us and thank us for our efforts," said Sarro, who was also named the 2006 Superintendent of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association and the 2006 Turf Professional of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association.
"For us it was a wonderful opportunity to help them forget the horrible events of Katrina," he added.
Cougar Canyon Golf Links Designated as one of the “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” by GOLF Magazine
TRINIDAD, Colorado – The new Cougar Canyon Golf Links has received the coveted distinction of Top 10 New Courses You Can Play by GOLF Magazine as listed in the January 2008 issue. Members of this prestigious group are considered to be the best new public-access courses that opened in 2007. Approximately 60 new public courses were reviewed.
GOLF Magazine compiles this list annually relying on the opinion of 95 independent course-ranking panelists, editors and field researchers. The Top 10 New Courses You Can Play category was established ten years ago, derived from GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the United States list. Panelists play a variety of courses then submit reviews and comments to Joe Passov, Travel Editor and Chairman of GOLF Magazine’s Rating Panel. "In a very competitive year for new public-access courses, Cougar Canyon was one of the standouts. Nicklaus Design has compiled a superb track record in this category in recent years, so it should come as no surprise that when you combine an excellent layout with a dramatic natural setting, you have a recipe for a winner," says Passov.
Created by Nicklaus Design, this par 72, 7789 yard links style course is a unique combination of mountain and desert terrain with split fairways, pedestal greens, and black sand bunkers. The Sangre de Cristo mountain range provides the backdrop, setting the stage for this scenic location. The temperate climate of southern Colorado allows for play during all four seasons.
Eric Seise, Jr., Cougar Canyon Golf Resort Community Managing Director, is thrilled with the designation. “This is precisely what we have been striving for,” says Seise. “We designed Cougar Canyon to be one of the premier golf resorts in the country.”
PGA Director of Golf Operations Matt Reams says, “The course slope ratings at Cougar Canyon of 120 to 139 demonstrate the great diversity found throughout our four tee locations thereby offering a comparable challenge for all skill levels.” All abilities are tested on signature hole #16, a par 3 island green which will challenge even the most precise golfer.
Cougar Canyon Golf Links is open for public play and green fees are $59. The Pro Shop is located at 304 Shanahan Drive, Trinidad, CO. For information and tee times, call 719-422-7015. Visit online at www.cougarcanyonliving.com.
GOLF Magazine compiles this list annually relying on the opinion of 95 independent course-ranking panelists, editors and field researchers. The Top 10 New Courses You Can Play category was established ten years ago, derived from GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the United States list. Panelists play a variety of courses then submit reviews and comments to Joe Passov, Travel Editor and Chairman of GOLF Magazine’s Rating Panel. "In a very competitive year for new public-access courses, Cougar Canyon was one of the standouts. Nicklaus Design has compiled a superb track record in this category in recent years, so it should come as no surprise that when you combine an excellent layout with a dramatic natural setting, you have a recipe for a winner," says Passov.
Created by Nicklaus Design, this par 72, 7789 yard links style course is a unique combination of mountain and desert terrain with split fairways, pedestal greens, and black sand bunkers. The Sangre de Cristo mountain range provides the backdrop, setting the stage for this scenic location. The temperate climate of southern Colorado allows for play during all four seasons.
Eric Seise, Jr., Cougar Canyon Golf Resort Community Managing Director, is thrilled with the designation. “This is precisely what we have been striving for,” says Seise. “We designed Cougar Canyon to be one of the premier golf resorts in the country.”
PGA Director of Golf Operations Matt Reams says, “The course slope ratings at Cougar Canyon of 120 to 139 demonstrate the great diversity found throughout our four tee locations thereby offering a comparable challenge for all skill levels.” All abilities are tested on signature hole #16, a par 3 island green which will challenge even the most precise golfer.
Cougar Canyon Golf Links is open for public play and green fees are $59. The Pro Shop is located at 304 Shanahan Drive, Trinidad, CO. For information and tee times, call 719-422-7015. Visit online at www.cougarcanyonliving.com.
Bob Byman named for induction to Colorado Golf Hall of Fame
HENDERSON, Nev. -- The newly appointed director of golf at The Legacy Golf Club in Henderson, a surrounding suburb of Las Vegas, was inducted into Colorado’s Golf Hall of Fame on Thursday February 21, 2008. Bob Byman, who dominated Colorado golf in the early 1970s in similar fashion to Hale Irwin’s domination in the 1960s, will join his fellow former Boulder phenom in the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
Byman had a brief but phenomenal run as a player while living in Boulder. He not only won three straight state stroke play amateur titles (1971, '72 and '73), but he did it as a 16, 17, and 18-year-old. Byman also captured the state high school title in 1973, leading Fairview High School to the team championship as well.
“It’s an honor for us here at OB Sports to have someone like Bob on our staff,” said Tom Vold, Director of Golf for The Legacy Golf Club. “The induction into Colorado’s Golf Hall of Fame is a very prestigious accomplishment and we are quickly realizing that Bob is a perfect addition to our already highly accredited staff.”
Byman went on to become a standout at Wake Forest, where he played on the 1974 and '75 NCAA championship teams with Curtis Strange and Jay Haas.
As a professional golfer, Byman won a PGA TOUR event in 1979 (Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Classic) and five national opens overseas. Byman's career as a player slowed after 1982; however, he’s maintained his passion for the game and has been a successful instructor for the past 20 years; most recently at The Legacy Golf Club outside of Las Vegas, where he's lived since 1999.
"The 1970s were incredible years for me; I played some of the best golf of my life," Byman said. "I don't know if the game can ever get any simpler than it was then. I always tried to get back to that simplicity I had as a kid. "It's a great accomplishment for me to be recognized in the same group of honorees as Hale Irwin and other fine professionals who contributed to the growth and status of Colorado golf.”
The Legacy Golf Club, a true test of golf at 7,233 yards from the back tees, is conveniently located 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport. The 10th hole may be the most recognizable in Las Vegas with tee boxes in the shape of a spade, club, diamond and heart. The rest of the course is memorable as well, especially the “Devil’s triangle,” holes 11, 12 and 13 that are crisscrossed with desert canyons and lava outcroppings. In fact, the 13th hole recently received honorable mention as “The Best Par-4 in Las Vegas” by VegasGolfer magazine in its annual poll of readers and staffers. To schedule your golf reservations call 702.897.2187, or visit www.thelegacygc.com.
The Legacy Golf Clubs is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success. OB Sports currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visitwww.obsports.com or call 480.948.1300.
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