Two New Jewels in Colorado's Golfing Crown
Brightwater and Cornerstone Clubs set to debut as luxury resort communities
The grandeur of the Colorado Rockies serves as the backdrop for the new Cornerstone Club is southwestern Colorado.
In the 21st century, is it any wonder some of the most exciting and popular new resort communities are focused on relaxation, rejuvenation and reconnection with family?
Golf often is a major component of these destinations. Such is the case with two new and innovative private communities in the Colorado Rockies — but golf is only the beginning of the story for each.
A Land of 13 Lakes-Brightwater Club, Gypsum, Colorado
Abundant water, and a member’s ability to enjoy it year-round, is a focus of this new community located 35 miles west of Vail in central Colorado.
Conveniently located just off the Interstate-70 corridor, yet tucked up against the mountains at the end of lush Gypsum Creek Valley, Brightwater Club is being created for what is described as “The New Streamside Generation.” Not only is presence of water prevalent on the golf course and neighborhoods, but it is central to many activities the Club offers. Whatever the season, there’s probably a water-focused activity planned — canoeing, fly-fishing, swimming, kayaking, ice hockey and ice skating to name a few.
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has designed Brightwater’s 18-hole championship course that soothingly weaves through residential areas and open space along one mile of frontage on scenic Gypsum Creek. Construction on the course began in the spring of 2005 and the first nine holes are planned to open in the fall of 2006. The second nine is scheduled to debut in summer 2007.
All Brightwater property owners are members of the Brightwater Club because membership is included in the purchase of a home or homesite. The Brightwater Club offers many activities, amenities and services designed to appeal to all members of the family. A totally private golf course with no public play, 375 of the 535 Club members will have an opportunity to play Brightwater’s golf course.
Six distinctive facilities are being planned in a casual village alongside a five-acre lake. This is only one of the 27 acres of lakes being constructed at Brightwater. A formal golf clubhouse is scheduled for completion in 2009, but the rustic, creekside Cast-Off Cabin is being finished this summer and will serve as a clubhouse and fishing retreat complete with fireplace and library.
The Outfitter’s Post, which will serve as a quaint general store, community post office and central gathering place for members, and The Lake House, which will offer casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, are planned for completion in 2007.
Future phases of construction in The Village at Brightwater include an Artisan’s Pavilion featuring crafts and kids programs, an art studio for class instruction and an activity center, plus a wellness center and spa featuring a swimming pool, fitness facilities, tennis courts and spa treatment rooms.
The outstanding land plan for Brightwater includes 535 homesites spread across approximately 975 acres; about 500 acres of the site have been preserved as either golf course or open space. Homesites will range from 1/2 acre to 1 1/2 acres in size.
Purchasers can either select a floor plan from one of Brightwater’s home builders (such as the nationally-renowned Community Concepts of Vail), or choose to design and build their own home following the community design guidelines.
As an alternative, several neighborhoods of “enclave” homes are planned, with prices anticipated to range from about $995,000 to $1.4 million. 
Sales at Brightwater were brisk in 2005 – with about 100 homesites sold. Another launch of homesites is being made in 2006. According to Brightwater sales executive, Julie Thurston, “Our central location between Vail and Aspen has appealed to a number of people who are skiers, but who just are not as devoted to the sport as they once were. They like the additional privacy that our gated community offers, the activity-inclusive nature of our Club membership, and a year-round schedule of activities centered around our 13 lakes, ponds and streams.”
Brightwater’s location has also proven popular – just six miles west of the Vail/Eagle Airport, and a short drive from I-70 and all of the glitz, glamour and cosmopolitan activities of Beaver Creek, Vail and Aspen 30-60 miles away.
For more information on the 2006 real estate offerings and membership in Brightwater Club, call 888-414-0364 or visit www.brightwaterclub.com.
A truly natural golf experience-Cornerstone Club Montrose/Ridgway, Colorado
The West Elk Mountain Range, Cimarron Ridge and the dramatic, snow-covered Sneffels Range serve as a panoramic backdrop for the Cornerstone Club, the private golfing and residential community in southwestern Colorado.
Drawing its name from the discovery of original homestead property markers — distinctly formed rock piles called “cornerstones” — Cornerstone is situated on 6,000 acres of some of southwestern Colorado’s most scenic terrain.
Located on the Uncompahgre Plateau between Montrose and Telluride, Cornerstone’s diverse landscape includes wide-open spaces with lush meadows of wildflowers and sage, old growth aspen forests and rugged fields of Ponderosa and Piñon pines.
Golfing legend Greg Norman has brought his “least disturbance” philosophy of golf course design and construction into the layout of Cornerstone’s par-72 course. In the process, he is creating a championship course that takes full advantage of the natural environment and the magnificent 360° views.
“Cornerstone will be a truly natural golf experience, and that is something I try to accomplish on every one of our projects,” says Norman.
“The course brings aspens, sage and ephemeral streams into play, and allows the natural landscape to dictate the flow of play. Rock outcroppings, scrub oak, gulches and meadows all contribute to a unique — but still natural — golf experience.”
Cornerstone is the first community in this region of Colorado with a truly private golf club. Construction on the golf course began in 2004 and it is slated to open in 2007 for member play.
Located 20 miles from the Montrose Regional Airport, which offers direct flights to and from Denver International Airport, Cornerstone enjoys easy access.
It also serves as a convenient jump-off point to the multitude of recreational, cultural and social activities in the region.
Designed as a resort community, it’s a place where families can relax and reconnect as if they were at summer camp together. The Camp Cornerstone program will include such attractions as wine tastings, gourmet cooking classes, teepee camp-outs, fly-fishing and, once the course opens, golf clinics for all ages.
Cornerstone’s five-star inspired “Pioneer Hospitality” is the hallmark of the Club, and outstanding member services will reach far beyond the golf experience. Membership provides convenient access to a host of additional amenities, family activities and personalized services.
For example, a members’ lounge in Telluride Mountain Village has opened for this summer season.
Located just a few steps from the year-round gondola, Cornerstone’s Mountain Club is a cozy retreat where members can meet family and friends and enjoy a day on the slopes or at one of Telluride’s many summer festivals.
Jim Mikula, Cornerstone Club general manager, knows service is paramount to a resort community such as this. He has a notable background in hospitality, including ten years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in locales around the world. According to Mikula, the Cornerstone concierge will assist members with everything from rafting the Gunnison River and visiting cultural heritage sites such as Mesa Verde National Park to personalized grocery shopping and off-season home maintenance for home owners.
“Our members will enjoy luxury resort services in their own homes,” he explains.
Homesteads range in size from a quarter of an acre in a village cluster to a very private, 200-acre ranch. Over 3,000 acres of the Cornerstone property have been set aside as open space.
Prices for Homesteads start in the mid $200,000’s and new offerings of both homesteads and homes will be made available throughout 2006. Membership in Cornerstone Club requires ownership of a Cornerstone Homestead and a separate membership fee, currently priced at $75,000.
For information on Cornerstone, its latest offerings of homesteads, homes or membership in Cornerstone Club, call the on-site office at 970-650-2000 or visit www.cornerstonecolorado.com.
Elizabeth Phipps is a Colorado-based freelance writer and public relations consultant.
