Mad Russian Golf Club

Venue Overview

The Mad Russian Golf Course is a public, 18-hole, par-71 course in Milliken, Colorado, and quite possibly the most characterful round on the Front Range. Voted by Golf Digest writers as the most unusually named golf course in the United States, the Mad Russian backs up its legend with a genuinely fun, quirky layout: rolling hills carved from old farmland, water features on the majority of holes, and small, demanding greens that turn every round into a short-game adventure. Add elevated tees with breathtaking Rocky Mountain views, resident blue herons, bald eagles, and coyotes, and an unbeatable sense of humor, and you have a one-of-a-kind, welcoming, and affordable home for tournaments, outings, and group play.

About the Course

The Mad Russian is an 18-hole, par-71 public course that reopened under its current name in 1987. Built on former rolling farmland bisected by ravines and gullies, it is a short but tricky layout, stretching to roughly 5,900 yards with three sets of tees, where the challenge comes not from length but from water, elevation, and some of the most demanding little greens around. Course features: 18-hole, par-71 public course Plays up to roughly 5,900 yards, with three sets of tees from about 4,339 yards Reopened as The Mad Russian in 1987 Rolling terrain shaped from old farmland, with ravines and natural areas Water features and two lakes in play on the majority of holes Small, fast, demanding greens that test your short game and iron play Elevated tees and greens with sweeping Rocky Mountain and Front Range views Resident wildlife, including blue herons, bald eagles, and coyotes GPS-equipped carts, a driving range, and a putting green

A Course With History

Few courses have an origin story like the Mad Russian's. It began as the dream of Ted Blehm, an eccentric Russian immigrant who, as local legend has it, was kept out of the area's established country clubs and decided to simply build his own. Knowing little about golf, Blehm enlisted Dave Tooley, then the superintendent at Greeley Country Club, to shape a course out of rolling farmland cut by ravines and gullies. It first opened in 1979 as Jack Rabbit Trail, then fell into bankruptcy and sat idle until a new owner revived it in Blehm's honor, branding it with a Cossack dancing with a rifle and a golf club and renaming it "The Mad Russian." The course reopened on August 1, 1987, a date still celebrated each year as Mad Russian Day, and the quirky spirit of its founder lives on in every wacky, wonderful hole.

The Playing Experience

The Mad Russian is a paragon of quirk, and that is exactly its charm. The routing rolls and tumbles like a roller coaster across the old farmland, with charmingly wide fairways off the tee that lull you into comfort before the real test arrives at the greens: small, fast, and fiercely contoured, they demand precise irons and a sharp short game. Two lakes come into play on several holes, a few requiring bold forced carries to fairways on the far side, and the elevation changes keep the round visually engaging throughout. It may be short on the scorecard, but the Mad Russian is long on character, and the greens crew keeps conditions far better than a first-timer might expect. Bring your imagination, your wedge game, and your sense of humor.

Practice Facilities & Amenities

The Mad Russian offers a friendly, well-equipped setup for a day of golf: Driving range and putting green Full pro shop with rental clubs GPS-equipped carts Bar and banquet space for gatherings On-site pro and friendly staff

Golf Lessons & Instruction

The Mad Russian has a golf professional on site and offers instruction for players looking to sharpen their game, especially the short-game skills this course rewards. Contact the pro shop to arrange a lesson.

Tournaments & Events

The Mad Russian is a fun, affordable, and memorable place to host a tournament or group outing, with a banquet hall, bar, and staff experienced in golf outings and special events. Its one-of-a-kind character makes it a standout choice for organizers who want their event to be a little different, in the best way. Event types hosted: Charity and nonprofit fundraising tournaments Corporate and group outings League play Casual group golf and celebrations Contact the course to inquire about availability and group rates for your next event.

Planning Your Event Here

The Mad Russian works well for organizers who want a genuinely memorable, budget-friendly course with heaps of character, all within easy reach of the northern Front Range near Milliken and Greeley. The short, playable layout is welcoming for mixed-ability groups, while the demanding greens keep it interesting for better players. Event availability, formats, and group rates are coordinated directly with the golf staff. Reach out to the course at 970-587-5157 to plan your outing.

Hosting an Event at The Mad Russian Golf Course? Launch It on Colorado Under Par

If you're organizing a tournament, scramble, or group outing at The Mad Russian Golf Course, you can launch your event for free on Colorado Under Par — Colorado's dedicated platform for discovering and promoting golf, pickleball, and sporting events. Getting your event in front of Colorado's active golf community takes less than five minutes. Launch your event here: coloradounderpar.com/submit-event