Ken Robinson had better be ready for Ironbridge Golf Course, because Ironbridge is ready for him.

“The course is in perfect shape,” said Bill Bullock, sales manager at Ironbridge. “It could have been played last fall, but we opened late to make sure it looks great.”

Ironbridge is the newest addition to the Roaring Fork Valley’s links lineup. The private 7,200-yard, 18-hole golf course, located south of Glenwood Springs, was designed by Arthur Hills.

At 10 a.m. on May 1, Robinson will be the first golfer ever to tee up at Ironbridge. Robinson, who owns Roaring Fork Liquors, earned his tee time privilege by placing the highest bid at last winter’s Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association Ball.

“In addition to supporting the chamber, Ken is known for his charitable fund-raising efforts with the Advocate Safehouse Project, LIFT-UP, and Literacy Outreach,” said Ironbridge spokesperson Vanessa Freeman.

Ironbridge’s first hole is a par 4, and covers 434 feet from the back tees. “It’s a nice driving hole, but after that there’s difficulty with water in front of the green,” Bullock said.

The second hole is Ironbridge’s longest, at 637 yards. Robinson will have to wait until the 11th hole to reach the shortest one, which measures 161 yards.

Bullock said the course has rolling, undulating greens, and the fairways roll as well.

Ironbridge was created when developers joined the former Rose Ranch with the Westbank golf course and subdivision. Bullock said Westbank’s nine golf holes were scraped and reconfigured into seven holes. At the former Rose Ranch, south of Westbank, seven golf holes were created on the old ranch’s lower level, and four holes up O’Neil Draw.

Last year, the developers changed their project’s name from Rose Ranch to Ironbridge, in reference to the historic Hardwick Bridge that crosses the Roaring Fork River near the golf course entrance.

Matt Benn is the Ironbridge pro. Benn was previously assistant pro at Gaillardia Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma, City, where he helped host two Senior Tour Championships, and a Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf tournament.

Ironbridge Golf Course is part of the new Ironbridge master-planned development. When completed, it will include 292 homes and homesites on 530 acres.

The homes will be priced at $450,000 to $525,000, and will range in size from 2,300 to 3,000 square feet.

Ironbridge is being developed by L.B. Rose Ranch LLC, and the project is managed by J. Thomas Schmidt and Co.

Ironbridge Golf Course opens to its 63 members on May 2. Guests accompanied by members can play the course for $75.

Contact Lynn Burton: 945-8515, ext. 534

lburton@postindependent.com