The idea of turning a dairy farm into a golf course could seem absurd to some.

But not to the Podtburg family of Johnstown.

“There were years of conversations,” Stephanie Podtburg said. “We are all avid golfers and so we always thought that this land would be great for golf.”

Stephanie is married to Greg, who is one of four boys of Rick and Carol. The family owned and operated a dairy farm in Johnstown for over 45 years. There was always a love of golf within the family. The four boys use to hit golf balls into the pasture.

Image: BellaRidge.jpg

“My father-in-law to all of their four boys, all of their wives and all the kids just really enjoy golf,” Stephanie said.

The idea of Bella Ridge Golf Club began about eight years ago. When the Podtburgs decided that a golf course would be great on their property, they were told to contact golf course architect Art Schaupeter. Schaupeter designed TPC Colorado in Berthoud and Highland Meadows in Windsor.

“Stephanie actually reached out and cold called me out of the blue,” said Schaupeter, who was excited about the 130 feet of elevation change on the property. “I ended up meeting with them the next week and she drove me around the property. They asked for my professional opinion about the property.

“And I said ‘this is a spectacular property.’ I could definitely put a great golf course out here.”

It has been a couple years since a new golf course has opened in Colorado. RainDance National in Windsor was the latest when it opened in July 2022. Bella Ridge Golf Club, which is located at 5749 County Road 42 just east of I-25, is slated to open late summer this year. Rodeo Dunes out in Roggen is in line to be open sometime in 2026.

“The hope is to open this summer,” Stephanie said. “At this point, all of the seed has been put into the ground and we’re just growing grass. Internally, we’re working on getting a temporary clubhouse up and running. Now it just takes time to grow the grass.”

An important factor for the Podtburg family and Schaupeter was keeping the course open to the public and making it a course that is enjoyable for golfers of all skills. Schaupeter feels it is important that course provides a fun and memorable experience.

“It’s my job on behalf of my client to create a golf course that is going to be as fun as possible for the as many different golfers as possible,” he said. “I want scratch golfers go out there and have a good time. I don’t want them to ignore the place. There’s a very small number of those folks. There’s a vast majority of us who are anywhere from 10 to 25 (handicap) or higher.”

Another important aspect for the Podtburgs and Schaupeter is making the course a hub within the community. Bella Ridge, which will be run by Troon Golf, will stay owned and operated by the family. They will not be a big part of the day-to-day operations but will work closely with Troon.

Troon Golf runs 11 courses in Colorado. They include Bookcliff Country Club (Grand Junction), Grand Elk Golf Club (Granby), Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club (Aurora), Lake Valley Golf Club (Niwot), Pelican Lakes Resort and Golf (Windsor), RainDance National (Windsor), Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club (Steamboat Springs), The Club at Cordillera (Edwards), The Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs), The Ridge (Castle Pines) and Valley Country Club (Centennial).

And where does the name Bella Ridge come from? That came from Stephanie’s mother-in-law Carol.

“The name Bella Ridge came from my mother-in-law,” Stephanie said. “Bella is beautiful in a couple different languages, and there is a beautiful ridge on the east side of the property and looking to the west and the views from there are just stunning.”

***

Paul, Hubbard have strong opening week on PGA Tour

Former CU Buffs golfer Jeremy Paul made the cut in his first PGA Tour event in dramatic fashion.

Paul was hovering right around the cut line and needed to make eagle on the 18th hole of the second round of the Sony Open. And he went ahead and did it.

“It was starting to get dark and I hit a perfect putt and it went right in the center,” Paul said after the round. “Making the last putt count was awesome.”

Paul went on to shoot 68-68 on the weekend to finish in a tie for 45th place in his first career event.

Colorado Academy graduate Mark Hubbard also started his season at the Sony Open and finished in a tie for 21st.

Both players are in the field at The American Express this week. Denver’s Wyndham Clark is also in the field.

***

What they’re saying

“We were entertaining. We hit a lot of shots. I think the people there got to see how bad pros can be. It was just a boat race, oh my goodness. But we had a great time.”

— Tiger Woods after his team, Jupiter Links, was routed in the second match of TGL.

***

This week in golf

PGA Tour

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS

Site: La Quinta, Calif.

Courses: PGA West (Pete Dye Stadium). Yardage: 7,210. Par: 72; PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament). Yardage: 7,147. Par: 72; La Quinta CC. Yardage: 7,060. Par: 72.

Prize money: $8.5 million. Winner’s share: $1.53 million.

Television: Thursday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Defending champion: Nick Dunlap.

European Tour

HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

Site: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Course: Emirates GC. Yardage: 7,428. Par: 72.

Prize money: $9 million. Winner’s share: $1.5 million.

Television: Thursday-Friday, 12:30-6:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, Midnight-6 a.m. (Golf).

Defending champion: Rory McIlroy.

PGA Tour Champions

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii.

Course: Hualalai GC. Yardage: 7,107. Par: 72.

Prize money: $2 million. Winner’s share: $340,000.

Television: Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Defending champion: Steven Alker.

Korn Ferry Tour

THE BAHAMAS GREAT ABACO CLASSIC

Site: Great Abaco, Bahamas.

Course: The Abaco Club on Winding Bay. Yardage: 7,141. Par: 72.

Prize money: $1 million. Winner’s share: $180,000.

Television: Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf); Monday-Tuesday, Noon-3 p.m. (Golf); Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf).

Previous winner: Aldrich Potgieter.

Ryder Cup standings

United States

The top six eligible players following the BMW Championship on Aug. 17 will make the team.

Captain: Keegan Bradley

Player Points

1. Xander Schauffele 9718.46

2. Scottie Scheffler 9145.56

3. Bryson DeChambeau 6993.00

4. Collin Morikawa 4638.13

5.Brian Harman 2299.06

6. Wyndham Clark 2228.21

7. Billy Horschel 2091.22

8. Patrick Cantlay 1905.26

9. Tony Finau 1867.88

10. Russell Henley 1737.93

Europe

The top six ranked players after the Betfred British Masters ending on Aug. 24 will qualify for Team Europe.

Captain: Luke Donald

1. Rory McIlroy 792.07

2. Rasmus Højgaard 706.53

3. Tyrrell Hatton 587.84

4. Matt Wallace 505.42

5. Paul Waring 465.13

6. Niklas Nørgaard 419.73

7. Thorbjørn Olesen 357.25

8. Julien Guerrier 353.90

9. Jorge Campillo 343.32

10. Dan Bradbury 320.07