TORRINGTON –  Cottonwood Golf Course, a popular destination for golf enthusiasts in Torrington and beyond, is continuing to enhance its facilities and attract more visitors. Recently ranked the #1 Golf Course in Wyoming by Golf Pass in its 2024 Golfer’s Choice vote, David Dent, Golf Course Manager and Head Golf Professional, says the golf course staff have no intention of resting on their laurels. Instead, they are looking toward the future to maintain the beauty and excellent play of the course while continuing to improve the golfer experience.

Over the past few years, Cottonwood Golf Course has invested in several key upgrades. The course has made significant improvements to its parking lot and front gate. Tee boxes have also seen major changes, improving both the beauty of the course and providing options for novice and experienced golfers. 

“It’s improved a lot—the fairways have gotten a lot better, the landscaping has improved, and it’s a great course to play on,” Wyatt Lynde, a student on the Torrington High School golf team who has been playing on the course for six or seven years, remarked.

Looking ahead, Cottonwood Golf Course is preparing for even more upgrades. In 2025, the course will receive new golf carts, increasing its fleet by five. This will allow for a smoother, more comfortable experience for players, especially those who prefer to ride. Dent also mentioned plans for expanding space for RVs, with hopes to add the course to the Harvest Host network of wineries, farms, museums, and other destinations offering services for overnight RV customers. Additionally, Dent expressed interest in adding more athletic facilities in the future.

Whether due to the #1 Golf Course ranking or the ongoing improvements to the facility, the growing popularity of Cottonwood Golf Course is evident in the numbers. In 2024, the course sold 250 annual passes, and daily user fees saw a significant increase, rising by $34,000 over the previous year. Dent noted that while annual pass sales tend to remain fairly constant year over year, the number of day users has increased significantly. Many of these day users are out-of-town visitors, with golfers traveling from across Wyoming and Colorado. Unlike many other Wyoming courses, Cottonwood remains open in the winter, making it a popular destination for golfers looking to extend their playing season. Furthermore, Cottonwood is the only course in Wyoming that participates in the Nebraska Golf Passport Program, which allows Nebraska residents to play at participating courses for a discounted rate. This unique offering has attracted golfers from as far as Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. Dent has also noticed an increased number of visitors from Colorado, and the course’s military discount has brought groups of golfers from Warren Air Force Base.

The growing popularity of the golf course isn’t just a benefit to the course itself. Cottonwood Golf Course works closely with local organizations, including the Recreation Board, the Economic Development Board, and private businesses, to ensure that the course benefits the local community. The course promotes local restaurants and hotels, strengthening its ties to Torrington. As part of this, Nebraska Golf Passport holders receive a 10% discount at the Cobblestone Hotel.

In an effort to maintain the quality of the course and fund future improvements, Cottonwood Golf Course has implemented rate increases for 2025. Dent worked with City Council members Deahl and Viktorin to evaluate the course’s budget and survey similar golf courses for their current rates and anticipated increases. The rate adjustments were approved by the City Council during a recent meeting. The most noticeable increases will be to the annual pass rates, though daily pass fees will also increase by $5. According to Dent, these increases will provide the necessary funding to maintain and improve the course, ensuring a top-tier experience for local and out-of-town golfers.

According to Dent, the staff at the golf course is diligent about recommending local shopping and restaurants to day golfers. Based on conversations with both golfers and local business owners, Dent notes that many golfers stop by Torrington’s Main Street to get gas and grab dinner. He sees this as a mutually beneficial relationship between the golf course and the Goshen County business community.

While the golf course has seen an increase in out-of-town visitors, Cottonwood Golf Course is still a municipal course, funded by and for the residents of Torrington. It is home base to local golf teams, tournaments, and veteran local golfers. For novice players, the course offers rental clubs and other equipment, as well as summer golf lessons for kids and private lessons for golfers of all ages.

Cottonwood Golf Course’s continued growth and success are a testament to strong community support and the course’s ability to adapt to the needs of golfers from near and far. As it moves into 2025, the course remains focused on maintaining its reputation as a premier golfing destination in Wyoming while fostering local economic growth. Annual golf passes for 2025 are available for purchase at the golf course or at City Hall.