Oakwood teeing up new golf course in south Aurora

A golf course in the works in Aurora will be designed by Dan Blankenship and be the state’s first sand-based links course, according to Oakwood Homes.

The Denver-based homebuilder plans to incorporate the 18-hole course into Prairie Point, a 1,700-home community it is developing on 900 acres by the South Parker Road/E-470 interchange.

Documents submitted to Aurora show that the course will have a clubhouse, maintenance building and a restaurant between holes nine and ten. The website for Prairie Point also says the course will feature a training academy, driving range and short game practice area.

“The length of this par-72 course will range from the new-golfer friendly 5,180 yards to a demanding 7,705 yards, enticing to all players featuring five sets of tees and perfectly positioned greenside bunkers with challenging greens of varying sizes,” the website states.

Dan Blankenship has built several courses around Brazil, according to his firm Gold Tee Golf International. Sand-based links courses are common in England, Scotland and Ireland and built on sandy soil.

Oakwood, founded by Pat Hamill in 1991, previously built the 18-hole Green Valley Ranch Golf Club and surrounding homes. Hamill, who did not respond to a request for comment, stepped down last year but still advises the firm. He was elected to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in November.

It is unclear when construction will start for the course, but crews appear to be laying the groundwork for a residential section on the western side of the site.