Riverdale Dunes & Knolls GC

Riverdale Dunes opened in 1985 as the links-style half of Adams County's public Riverdale Golf Courses, sitting alongside the older, parkland-style Knolls. The Dunes was designed by Pete Dye with his eldest son, Perry Dye, and carries the family's trademarks: bold routing, tall native grasses, water in play, and railroad ties shoring up bunkers and greens. Playing to a par of 72 at roughly 7,000 yards, it rewards thoughtful shot-making over raw power, with firm, rolling ground that evokes Scotland far more than suburban Denver. The design drew early acclaim, landing on Golf Digest's list of the nation's top public courses in 1990. It has hosted meaningful competition as well, including the 1993 USGA Public Links Championship and Nike Tour events in 1996 and 1997.