10 under-the-radar private golf courses for your corporate tournament: members only? Not really. Clubs chase corporate-events business.

• Author: DuBay, Keith
• Position: BETTER CORPORATE TOURNAMENTS

One of the lesser-known facts in the event business is that traditional private country clubs can be rented out at reasonable rates for corporate tournaments and meetings on Mondays.

Today, exclusive clubs are aggressively chasing corporate business as a way to earn extra income, leveraging recent course and clubhouse renovations. Best part about it? You pay for the tee times but get the facilities for free, including meeting rooms.

Here's the editors' pick of old-line, traditional Front Range clubs--and a few newer ones--that fly under the radar for corporate events (not ranked in any particular order).

Fox Acres, Red Feather Lakes (FoxAcres.com)

The once ultra-exclusive Fox Acres, about an hour's drive northwest of Fort Collins, has changed ownership and is a poster child of the private-club-event movement, aggressively seeking outside events. Short and tight (6,286 yards, par 71) through the ponderosas and with water on 12 holes, the course is framed by the nearby Rocky Mountains, and the club's Arapahoe Room overlooks the lake on the 18th green.

Hiwan CC, Evergreen (hiwan.com)

At 7,665 feet, Hiwan is cool enough in the summer to beat the heat of Denver's pavement. About half of the 30 events per year are corporate, featuring such companies as Weyerhauser, Mercer and trade organizations. The main dining room seats 200 and the four smaller meeting rooms (audio-visual available) come at no extra price--which at $100 per golfer (not including food) is quite attractive.

Columbine CC, Littleton (columbinecountryclub.org)

Ask any tournament golfer about great, challenging tournament courses and invariably Columbine is mentioned. Home of the U.S. Open sectional qualifier 21 out of last 22 years, the course and clubhouse have been extensively renovated through the years, including last year's $1.7 million course makeover that extended it to more than 7,600 yards.

Up to 375 guests can enjoy the old school country club decor of the clubhouse and outdoor patio overlooking the 18th green. Price per golfer is $105, with an extra $30 food minimum that includes lunch and dinner.

Lakewood County Club (lakewoodcountryclub.net)

Lakewood Country Club is dripping with tradition and history--LPGA pioneer Mildred "Babe" Zaharias was a member, according to the club's website. Now the club is as aggressive as any in promoting its new 38,750-square-foot clubhouse as a corporate tournament venue. No member referral required, as with all the courses we researched...