CommonGround Golf Course sits just east of downtown Denver in Aurora, Colorado. At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward municipal course, a place for locals to squeeze in an affordable round. But look a little closer, and you’ll find a prime example of how a well-managed public facility can punch above its weight. For anyone working in golf course operations, turf management, or player development, CommonGround isn’t just a course—it’s a classroom.
What Makes a Course Memorable?
The best golf courses don’t rely on luxury to leave an impression. CommonGround is a case in point. It doesn’t boast ocean views or six-figure memberships. What it does offer is a thoughtfully designed, well-maintained layout that challenges all skill levels without punishing them unfairly. That balance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of deliberate decisions by the Golf Course Superintendent and grounds crew.
Designed by Tom Doak and his Renaissance Golf Design firm, CommonGround opened in 2009 on the site of the former Mira Vista Golf Course. It’s built on modest land but uses every contour, bunker placement, and mowing line to create visual interest and strategic choices. You don’t need a PhD in architecture to appreciate it, but if you’re a superintendent or industry professional, you’ll notice the little things: the width of fairways that allow for variable setup, the firm but fair greens, the subtle cues for drainage and airflow.
Meet the Superintendent: The Leader Behind the Turf
Ben Pennymon, the PGA Director of Golf and General Manager, isn’t the only one ensuring operations run smoothly. Much of the day-to-day excellence stems from the work of CommonGround’s Golf Course Superintendent and their staff.
Superintendents wear many hats. They’re part scientist, part manager, and part problem-solver. At a place like CommonGround—owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association (CGA)—the expectations differ from those at a private club. You’re not catering to high-rolling members. You’re managing a facility with public access, junior programs, walking loops, and non-golf community use. And the turf still has to be ready by 6 a.m.
For those in turf management, CommonGround provides a valuable blueprint. It’s proof that you don’t need unlimited budget or pristine natural features to produce quality playing conditions. You need leadership, planning, and buy-in from every person on the crew. You need a superintendent who sees the bigger picture: sustainability, community outreach, and growing the game.
One Course, Many Missions
CommonGround’s tagline—“More Than Just a Golf Course”—isn’t hollow branding. The site houses the CGA’s headquarters and serves as a hub for junior golf, adaptive golf, and affordable access initiatives. The 9-hole par-3 “Kid’s Course” is free for children to play. That’s not just a nice extra—it’s part of the superintendent’s reality.
Managing a property that gets heavy use from beginners, juniors, and walking seniors means a different set of turf decisions. Foot traffic patterns vary. Divot patterns are less predictable. Expectations shift. It demands a superintendent who listens, observes, and adapts—not just one who executes maintenance plans.
Have you walked your short course lately? Do you know how kids are interacting with your turf? If you’re in a leadership position, these are the kinds of questions worth asking.
Playability Over Perfection
Unlike private facilities that chase perfection, CommonGround aims for playability. That doesn’t mean settling. It means aligning conditions with purpose. The fairways are firm and fast, encouraging the ground game. Greens are receptive but not overly soft. Bunkers are maintained to be playable, not pristine. If you’re a golf course superintendent managing expectations from a diverse clientele, that’s a relevant lesson.
One of the key decisions at CommonGround was to embrace width. Wide corridors don’t just help pace of play and appeal to average players—they give superintendents breathing room. They reduce wear on specific turf zones, allow for strategic mowing changes, and mitigate the visual impact of imperfections. That’s smart agronomy paired with design philosophy.
Ask yourself: Is your course setup helping your crew succeed, or is it fighting them?
Environmental Responsibility in a Semi-Arid Climate
Water management is top-of-mind for any superintendent, especially in the West. CommonGround operates in a climate that gets less than 15 inches of rain per year. And yet, it’s not uncommon to see healthy bentgrass fairways and Poa-free greens in peak condition. That’s not luck.
Efficient irrigation, sensible turf selection, and attention to microclimates all factor in. The team utilizes moisture sensors, evapotranspiration data, and regular scouting to stay ahead of stress. Cultural practices are selected for both efficacy and economy—whether it’s topdressing frequency, verticutting schedules, or traffic control.
If your property struggles with brown spots, high water bills, or complaints about hardpan lies, it may be time to revisit how CommonGround balances resource use with player satisfaction. The numbers won’t always match, but the approach might.
Training the Next Generation
CommonGround also plays a unique role in workforce development. Interns and assistants working under the superintendent get a hands-on education in managing a course that juggles tournament play, junior golf, and community events—all while staying within budget.
This is a far cry from riding a mower in a silo. Crewmembers learn communication skills, crew logistics, inventory management, and conflict resolution. They learn what it means to be adaptable.
Golf course management isn’t just about grass. It’s about leadership. If your assistants aren’t learning that, are you really preparing them to move up?
Lessons for Superintendents Everywhere
So what can you take from CommonGround, whether you manage a municipal course in Florida, a private club in Michigan, or a resort in the desert?
- Rethink Your Setup: Width, mow lines, and bunker placement can reduce stress on turf and staff. Can you shift your mowing lines to ease wear patterns?
- Focus on Playability, Not Perfection: Golfers remember the experience, not whether every collar edge was laser-straight.
- Involve Your Crew in the “Why”: A superintendent who explains decisions—why mowing heights changed, why a fairway is resting—builds buy-in and morale.
- Track and Share Data: Know your moisture levels, sand topdressing rates, and green speeds. But also know your labor hours, fertilizer spend, and water usage. Share them with leadership.
- Train with Intention: Every intern or assistant is a future superintendent. Treat them like one. Delegate real responsibility and give feedback.
A Model for the Future?
Public golf is often portrayed as something that’s fading. But CommonGround shows a different possibility: A well-managed public course can not only survive but thrive. It can offer great golf, develop new players, and set a standard for professional turf care.
It’s easy to focus on Augusta-like perfection or the latest GPS-synced sprayers. But most courses—especially public ones—operate in a world of compromises. CommonGround succeeds not in spite of those compromises, but because it leans into its identity. That’s a lesson every superintendent can use.
Are you setting up your course for resilience, relevance, and long-term success? Or are you chasing benchmarks that don’t align with your mission?
The next time you’re in Denver, carve out a tee time. But more importantly, spend 30 minutes walking the course without clubs. Look at the wear patterns. Watch how players interact with the space. See how the course breathes. You might come home with more than just a scorecard—you might come back with ideas.
Written by Golf Course Trades – A voice for superintendents, turf managers, and the unsung heroes of the game.
