Cherry Hills Country Club is a private, invitation-only golf club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, founded in 1922 and known for hosting more than 15 national championships, including three U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships.
Keep reading for a detailed look at its history, course design, membership, and how to experience it as a guest or spectator.
The History and Founding of Cherry Hills Country Club
Cherry Hills Country Club got its start in 1922, when a group of Denver Country Club members decided they wanted something different: a club built purely around golf, with none of the other social trappings.
They called it “The Cherry Hills Club” at first, a nod to the cherry orchard that once covered the property. That agricultural history is baked right into the name that's stuck for over a century.
To design the course, the founders brought in William S. Flynn, a Philadelphia architect who'd go on to build Shinnecock Hills and Merion.
Flynn worked for $4,500 and, as the story goes, visited the site only once—sketching out the routing based on that single trip before the course opened for play in 1923. It's a remarkable bit of trust given how the layout has held up for over a hundred years.
The club's connection to Dwight Eisenhower runs deeper than most people realize. Eisenhower summered in Denver, his wife Mamie's hometown, and treated Cherry Hills as his home course during those visits. The 18th hole carries his name today, a permanent marker of that relationship.
Architecturally, the course has evolved through several distinct phases:
- Press Maxwell handled renovations from roughly 1959 to 1962
- Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay reworked the course in 1976–77, notably lengthening the 1st hole specifically so no future player could replicate Palmer's famous drive
- Geoffrey Cornish and Brian Silva made further updates in 1990
- Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design, with Eric Iverson leading the project, took on a full restoration commissioned in 2007 and finished in 2022
That last restoration addressed decades of drift from Flynn's original vision. Trees had crowded out sightlines, bunkers had shifted or disappeared, and mowing patterns had shrunk the playing corridors—common problems for courses from golf's Golden Age.
Doak's team pulled the trees, rebuilt the greens and bunkers to match Flynn's intent, and restored Little Dry Creek to its natural, meandering path after decades of being channeled through 1980s-era boulder work.
The timing worked out well. The restoration wrapped in 2022, lining up with the club's centennial and setting the stage for the 2023 U.S. Amateur—effectively a hundred-year victory lap for Flynn's original design.
Course Design, Layout, and Signature Holes
Cherry Hills plays as a par-72 for members, stretching to roughly 7,348 yards from the back tees. For championship setups, the course extends toward 7,466 yards and often converts to a par-71.
Yardage figures vary by source and tee configuration, with some ratings services listing numbers as low as 7,160. What stays constant is the elevation: at more than 5,300 feet, the thin mountain air lets the ball travel farther, so the course plays noticeably shorter than its scorecard suggests.
Flynn's design reflects classic parkland principles. Hazards sit in deliberate spots rather than as decoration, greens carry subtle contours that punish shots above the hole, and tree-lined corridors frame nearly every fairway.
Little Dry Creek and a lake come into play down the stretch, adding water hazards that shape strategy on the closing holes.
The three signature holes:
- 1st hole — A short par 4 that measured just 346 yards in 1960, famously driven by Arnold Palmer in the final round of that year's U.S. Open. Palmer and Ed Seay lengthened it in 1976 specifically to prevent a repeat, though modern equipment has made it reachable again.
- 17th hole — A par 5 featuring the nation's first par-5 island green, surrounded by water. This hole has broken more than one contender: Ben Hogan's third shot found the water here in 1960, and Sergio Garcia carded an 8 in 2014.
- 18th hole — Named for Eisenhower, this closer runs about 484 yards as a par 5 for members but converts to a demanding par 4 for major championships. A lake guards the left side, out-of-bounds lurks right, and the approach plays uphill—widely considered one of golf's great finishing holes.
Beyond those three, several other holes draw consistent praise: the par-5 5th, the par-3 6th, and the par-4 7th form a strong early stretch, while the par-4 16th (465 yards, doglegging around Little Dry Creek) and the 14th round out the course's most memorable stretches.
Where Cherry Hills ranks nationally:
Golf Digest currently places the course 73rd on its America's 100 Greatest Courses list, slightly ahead of where GOLF Magazine and Golfweek rank it.
That's actually a step down from its peak—between 1995 and 1998, Cherry Hills cracked the top 40, reaching as high as 31st. Even accounting for that dip, it remains the most storied course in Colorado.
For shorter rounds or practice, the property also includes the Rip Arnold Course, a 9-hole par-3 layout named for longtime head professional Ralph “Rip” Arnold, who held the position from 1939 to 1962.
Championship Legacy — Majors, USGA Events, and Memorable Moments
Few courses outside the traditional golf hubs can match Cherry Hills' championship résumé. Over the past century, the club has hosted more than 15 significant events, spanning nearly every marquee title the USGA and PGA offer:
- U.S. Open — 1938, 1960, 1978
- PGA Championship — 1941, 1985
- U.S. Amateur — 1990, 2012, 2023
- U.S. Women's Open — 2005
- U.S. Senior Open — 1993
- BMW Championship — 2014
That density of majors and USGA championships gives Cherry Hills more national title history than any other course in the Rocky Mountain region.
The moments that defined the club:
Arnold Palmer's final round at the 1960 U.S. Open stands as the signature event in Cherry Hills history. Trailing by seven strokes entering the day, Palmer drove the par-4 1st green and birdied six of his first seven holes, eventually shooting 65 to edge amateur Jack Nicklaus by two strokes.
Ben Hogan, then 47, faded down the stretch and lost his chance at a fifth Open title. Golf historians still rank it among the greatest single rounds ever played.
A few other moments carry their own weight in club lore:
- 1938 U.S. Open — Ray Ainsley carded a 19 on the 16th hole, a score that remains the highest ever recorded on a single hole in U.S. Open history.
- 2005 U.S. Women's Open — Birdie Kim holed out from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole to beat amateurs Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang, one of the more dramatic finishes in women's major championship golf.
- 2023 U.S. Amateur — Nick Dunlap defeated Neal Shipley 4 and 3, becoming only the second player after Tiger Woods to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur.
Champions across the decades:
The winner's list at Cherry Hills reads like a survey of golf's biggest names across different eras. Jack Nicklaus added to his legacy here twice—first as the runner-up amateur in 1960, then as champion of the 1993 U.S. Senior Open, his eighth and final USGA title.
Phil Mickelson won the 1990 U.S. Amateur on these fairways. Andy North claimed the first of his two U.S. Open titles here in 1978, while Hubert Green took the 1985 PGA Championship by two shots over Lee Trevino.
More recently, Billy Horschel's win at the 2014 BMW Championship kicked off a run that carried him to the FedEx Cup title that same year, and the event itself raised a then-record $3.5 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation.
What's next for Cherry Hills:
The club's championship pipeline isn't slowing down. The 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup is set for June 7–13, 2027, marking the second time Cherry Hills has hosted the event after its 2009 debut.
The tournament pits a U.S. college team against an international squad in mixed men's and women's competition—a fitting tribute given Palmer's history on the course.
There's also speculation, though nothing confirmed, that Cherry Hills could land a future PGA Tour stop if Denver is awarded an event in the reworked 2028 schedule.
No official decision has been made, but the club's track record makes it a logical candidate whenever that conversation moves forward.
Membership Structure, Costs, and Exclusivity
Cherry Hills operates as a private, member-owned club with roughly 450 resident members, structured as a 501(c)(7) nonprofit social club that's held tax-exempt status since 1934. Access runs entirely through invitation and sponsorship—there's no open application process, and the club counts itself among the most selective in the Denver metro area.
What membership actually costs:
This is where things get murky. Cherry Hills doesn't publicly disclose its initiation fees or annual dues, so most numbers floating around online come from low-quality blogs that contradict each other—and in some cases, appear to be recycled from one source to the next. Reported figures range widely:
- $85,000 single / $100,000 family initiation, with annual dues between $14,400 and $18,000
- $135,000 initiation plus roughly $1,000 per month
- $250,000 to $300,000+ initiation, with monthly dues exceeding $1,500
Given the spread, the most defensible estimate is a six-figure initiation fee paired with annual dues somewhere in the $15,000–$20,000+ range. Treat any specific number you find online as a rough estimate rather than fact.
What is documented comes from the club's IRS Form 990 filings. Aggregate initiation fees and contributions totaled $10,253,587 for the fiscal year ending September 2023, then $2,463,070 for a short transition period ending December 2023 (the club shifted its fiscal year-end during this window).
The full fiscal year ending December 2024 brought in $17,414,491. These are aggregate totals across all new members that year, not per-person pricing, but they do point to substantial capital moving through the club annually. As of that December 2024 filing, total assets stood around $105.8 million, with net assets near $64.9 million.
How membership actually happens:
- An existing member nominates or sponsors a prospective candidate
- The board reviews and approves the nomination
- Approved candidates typically wait multiple years before admission, given the size of the waitlist
There's no shortcut around this process. Without a sponsor already inside the club, membership isn't realistically attainable.
Who belongs:
Historically, the club's most prominent member was President Dwight Eisenhower, who held honorary status and treated Cherry Hills as his Denver golf home.
More recently, in 2025, the club extended honorary memberships to three homegrown USGA champions who grew up around the course: Wyndham Clark, winner of the 2023 U.S. Open; Jill McGill; and Bill Loeffler. That gesture reflects how closely the club ties its identity to Colorado golf talent it helped produce.
Clubhouse, Amenities, and Facilities
Cherry Hills' clubhouse underwent a complete rebuild that finished in 2022, following the demolition of the structure's south end in early 2021.
The result is a roughly 97,000-square-foot Tudor-style building designed by Mark Finlay Architects, deliberately echoing the look of the original 1923 clubhouse.
Multiple sources put the project's cost at approximately $50 million, though one earlier estimate from 2021 cited figures as high as $56 million—likely reflecting shifts in scope as the project developed.
Dining and social spaces:
The rebuild added and expanded several distinct venues:
- “22” — a second-floor restaurant named for the club's 1922 founding
- “Arnie's” — a boutique adult dining venue honoring Arnold Palmer
- First-floor grill room — casual dining alongside member lounges
- Library and meeting rooms — quieter spaces for members
- Balcony terraces — outdoor seating with mountain views
The north end of the clubhouse, including the men's locker room, bar/lounge, and pro shop, also went through renovation during this same project.
Golf and fitness facilities:
Beyond the championship course itself, members have access to a full practice setup: a driving range, putting green, and short-game area, plus the 9-hole Rip Arnold par-3 course for shorter sessions.
The rebuilt lower level of the clubhouse now includes a golf-simulator and swing lounge, along with a fitness center and supporting kitchen space—giving members year-round options even when Colorado weather limits outdoor play.
Beyond golf:
Cherry Hills' amenities extend well past the course itself:
- Tennis — Eight outdoor courts (six hard, two clay), with genuine tournament history. The courts hosted a 1963 Davis Cup tie between the U.S. and Venezuela, marking Arthur Ashe's Davis Cup debut.
- Swimming — A seasonal pool operation featuring both a lap pool and a family pool, supporting swim and dive programming.
- Events — Banquet and event spaces built for weddings and private functions, though access to these spaces runs primarily through member sponsorship rather than outside rental.
Taken together, the facility upgrades reflect a club investing heavily in year-round relevance—not just as a golf destination, but as a full social and athletic hub for its membership.
Visiting, Access, and Practical Tips for Non-Members
There's no way around it: Cherry Hills doesn't offer public tee times, and there's no cold-call path to playing the course. Access runs through one of three routes:
- Guest invitation — Playing as the guest of a current member, subject to availability, guest fees, and dress code. Dining as a guest requires being accompanied by the member throughout.
- Reciprocal privileges — If your home club has a reciprocal arrangement with Cherry Hills, you may gain access, though this is arranged club-to-club and never guaranteed.
- Charity or tournament events — Occasionally, outside events are hosted at the club, but these opportunities are rare and shouldn't be counted on as a reliable path.
Watching a tournament is your best bet:
For most people, the most realistic way to actually see the course is as a spectator during a championship. The next confirmed opportunity is the 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup, running June 7–13, 2027—a free-flowing college event featuring mixed men's and women's teams competing against an international side.
When USGA or PGA events are scheduled at Cherry Hills, tickets go on public sale, making championship weeks the one dependable window for outside visitors.
If you do get invited as a guest:
- Strict dress code applies—check chcc.com for the club's published guest rules before arriving
- Walking is permitted, and caddies are available for those who want one
- Directions and maps are posted on the club's website; the course sits on the west side of University Blvd. between Hampden (Highway 285) and Belleview
- Address: 4125 S. University Blvd., Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
- Phone: (303) 761-9900 or (303) 350-5220
Timing your visit:
Colorado's golf season runs late spring through early fall, and two windows stand out for tournament viewing specifically:
- June — Home to the Arnold Palmer Cup, including the 2027 edition
- August — The traditional scheduling window for USGA amateur championships
Weather during these months tends toward warm, dry conditions typical of the high plains, making both windows comfortable for spectators.
Quick recommendations by goal:
- Want to see the course? Plan around the 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup and watch chcc.com for future championship announcements.
- Want to play? Build a relationship with a current member—it's the only dependable route. Check your home club for reciprocal privileges as a backup.
- Considering membership? Budget for a six-figure initiation fee plus five-figure annual dues, and secure a member sponsor before expecting any real progress. Expect a multi-year wait even after nomination.
- Planning an event? Event spaces are member-sponsored only—you'll need a member to inquire on your behalf.
Conclusion
Cherry Hills Country Club stands apart because it delivers on three fronts at once: a century of history rooted in William Flynn's original design, a championship résumé that rivals any course in the country, and an exclusivity that keeps it firmly out of reach for casual golfers.
From Palmer's legendary 65 to the upcoming 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup, the club has consistently placed itself at the center of golf's biggest moments while maintaining tight control over who gets to experience it firsthand.
Where you go from here depends on what you're after. If you simply want to see the course, mark your calendar for the 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup and keep an eye on chcc.com for future championship announcements.
If playing is the goal, your best move is cultivating a relationship with a current member, since that remains the only reliable path in.
And if membership itself is what you're after, start by finding a sponsor and preparing for a process that unfolds over years, not months. Whatever your intent, Cherry Hills rewards patience and the right connections far more than persistence alone.
