That’s part of the preservation of the area’s history that was important to Suncadia developers when they signed the deal with Watts to build Swiftwater Cellars. Relics of the old No. 9 and No. 10 mines are everywhere, from black-and-white photographs that line the winery’s hallways, to helmets and tools donated by area residents, to the building’s architecture, featuring exposed wooden beams and doorways that mimic the shaft entrances. The winery even named its secondary label, No. 9, after the old mine, the last of the mines to close in the 1960s.
“This land was basically abandoned for decades before Suncadia came in,” says Miranda Porterfield, the winery’s director of marketing and membership. “Most of the people who live here are descendants of those mine workers, and the resort has given them a place where they can come and feel a connection with that time. We have employees and guests who tell us all the time how their grandfather or another relative worked in the coal mines, and how neat it is to have a place to come to that honors that heritage.”
Just out the back doors of the winery is an expansive patio including outdoor seating, a fire pit, and one of the signature views of the entire resort – Tipple Hill, a massive pile of coal tailings (crushed rock left over after the coal it held has been extracted) that will certainly be Rope Rider’s most definitive feature. The hill backdrops a view of Rope Rider’s first and ninth fairways – and a championship No. 1 tee box high above the fairway below, which can only be accessed from Swiftwater’s patio.
“We call it ‘Don’s Tee,’” laughs Jeffries, in reference to Watts. “I don’t know how many people will go up there and try it, but it will be a lot of fun for those that do.”
Just like the winery, the golf course pays tribute to the miners who first shaped the land on which it is built. Jeffries explains that a “rope rider” was the lead miner, who kept one hand on a rope while piloting the car deep into the shaft, and sent signals back to the hoist house to speed up, slow down or pull the miners out. Jeffries says that seven of the original rope riders who worked the No. 9 and No. 10 mines still live in the area today, and that plans are in the works to honor them as part of the course’s grand opening in August. Plans are also being finalized to name each of the holes on the course after one of the rope riders (living and deceased), and to include a plaque or other permanent monument at each tee box with their name and brief life story.
“It’s just another way that we can embrace the history of the property,” he says.
Driving around the course, it’s evident that Rope Rider will appeal to a different player than Suncadia’s other public track, Prospector. That’s by design, says Jeffries.
“It was always the intention to have the two courses complement each other, and offer a different experience to golfers,” he says. “With Prospector, we wanted to create a signature mountain course that would challenge golfers and reward good shotmaking. At Rope Rider, we wanted to provide a challenge to the best golfers who opt to play the course from the longer tees, but a fun experience for younger or beginning golfers as well.”
Seven-time PGA Tour winner Peter Jacobsen, whose Jacobsen-Hardy Golf Course Design company is responsible for award-winning courses at Brasada Ranch and Salishan in Oregon, was handed the task of meeting that demand, while staying in a footprint already determined years in advance.
Driving up the fairway of the 501-yard (from the blues) par-5 5th hole, Jeffries illustrates how Jacobsen met those unique challenges.
“This hole is a great example of what this course will be about,” he says. “There are three tees over 500 yards, with the back tee over 560, so it’s every bit the par-5 you’re ever going to want.”
But, as we approach the green, Jeffries stops and points to a flat space about 160 yards from the putting surface. It’s a special youth tee, giving young and beginning golfers the chance to experience the fun and challenge of playing a real course, without the frustration or impact on pace of play that can come from taking 12-15 shots per hole. There are youth tees on every hole, ranging from 80-160 yards.
“The youth tees are positioned to take away a lot of the fairway bunkers and other hazards,” Jeffries says. “Those will be in play for the good player, but for the youngster who is out here playing, it’s not going to be an issue.”
Rope Rider’s design also allows for the option to play holes one through six as a six-hole loop, or holes seven through nine as a three-hole loop. Jeffries says that those options will be available to golfers in the afternoons, once the 18-hole players have cleared those tee boxes, and are expected to be popular with families and golfers looking to get in a little practice late in the day.
“The youth tee boxes, and the option to play the shorter loops, gives young players the chance to experience the fun of being out on a real golf course, without the frustration that can come from a long, slow day on the course,” Jeffries says. “Hopefully they’ll walk away feeling confident and excited about their experience.”