Black Canyon Golf Course

Venue Overview

Black Canyon Golf Course is the oldest golf course in Montrose, opened in 1959 and still one of the best values on Colorado's Western Slope. Owned and operated by the City of Montrose, this 18-hole municipal layout pairs a shaded, traditional front nine with a wide-open, links-style back nine, giving golfers two very different rounds of golf in a single visit. Set against the backdrop of the Uncompahgre Valley with the San Juan Mountains on the horizon, Black Canyon has earned a loyal local following and remains one of the most affordable full 18-hole rounds in the region. Its combination of mature landscaping, water features, and open valley views makes it a scenic, walkable option for golfers who want a genuine test without the greens fees of a resort course.

About the Course

Black Canyon's split personality is its defining feature. The par-34 front nine, designed by Joe Francese, is a "park style" course lined with mature trees and anchored by a pond water feature that comes into play on several holes, rewarding shot-shaping and course management. The par-36 back nine, designed by Byron Coker, shifts into a "links style" test with smaller brush, deeper bunkers, and longer fairways that put a premium on ball-striking. Altogether the course plays to a par of 70 and stretches to 6,174 yards from the longest tees, with a slope rating of 122 and a USGA course rating of 68.3, numbers that make it approachable for golfers of a wide range of abilities. Montrose Daily Press readers voted Black Canyon the "Best Golf Course in the Valley" in 2013, a title that reflects its consistent conditioning and value. That split-nine design also means no two rounds ever feel quite the same, golfers who play both a morning and afternoon round often come away with entirely different impressions of the course.

Practice Facilities

Golfers can warm up before their round with access to on-site practice areas designed to prepare players for both nines' distinct styles, from full-swing work to short-game touch around Black Canyon's contoured greens. The practice areas see steady use from the course's active junior golf and league programs, which rely on consistent access to quality practice space to develop their games throughout the season.

Dining and Amenities

Black Canyon operates a full pro shop for equipment, apparel, and last-minute needs, along with cart and club rental options for visiting golfers. As a City of Montrose facility, the course is run with an emphasis on friendly, accessible service for residents and visitors alike. Golf carts are available for rent for golfers who prefer to ride, and the pro shop staff can help visiting groups get oriented to both nines before their round.

Lessons & Instruction

Black Canyon's golf staff includes PGA-certified professionals available for individual lessons and game improvement sessions.

• Thomas Young, PGA — Head Professional
• Eric P. Feely, PGA — Golf Instructor

Tournaments & Events

The course's dual-personality layout, generous fairways on the back nine, and tree-lined strategy on the front make it a popular host for city leagues, charity scrambles, and club tournaments throughout the golf season. Its central Montrose location and municipal pricing structure make it an easy, budget-friendly choice for groups of all sizes looking to organize a tournament or outing.

Planning Your Event Here

Black Canyon's two-nines-in-one layout gives tournament organizers real variety, a shaded, strategic front nine and a wide-open, links-style back nine, all in a single round. Combined with municipal rates and a full pro shop for prizes and rentals, the course is well suited to golf outings, charity fundraisers, and corporate scrambles looking for a well-conditioned course without a premium price tag. Contact the Black Canyon golf staff directly to coordinate shotgun start times, cart counts, and group rates for your event.

Hosting an Event at Black Canyon Golf Course?

Launch It on Colorado Under Par. Get your tournament, league night, or fundraiser in front of Colorado's golf community. Submit your event here.