Golfing the Gem State 2008
Golfing The Gem State
Banbury Golf Course • Eagle, ID
Yardage: 6,871
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
This public, 18-hole course is worth frequent visits, as seasonal changes like spring runoff from the Boise River can change the dynamic with wild water hazards that keep interesting challenges on this picturesque playing field.
Yardage: 6,871
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
This public, 18-hole course is worth frequent visits, as seasonal changes like spring runoff from the Boise River can change the dynamic with wild water hazards that keep interesting challenges on this picturesque playing field.
Although any golfer can expect to find excellent play here, this course is especially attractive to amateurs. BanBury hosted the 2005 U.S. Girls Junior Championship; the PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship will be held here this year; and BanBury also boasts having the 2006 Rocky Mountain PGA Teacher of the Year on its staff to prep student golfers for any level of play.
At BanBury, teacher Jonathan Gibbs offers a year-long personal mentoring program that includes a private one-hour lesson each week. He uses the first four lessons primarily for assessment of the student’s full swing, short game and on-course understanding of the game. After that, sessions are highly individualized, with a specific focus for each and recommendations for between-lesson practice.
Coeur d'Alene Public •
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Yardage: 6,295
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
This beautiful pine-tree-swathed course is consistently ranked among the best maintained, but also the most reasonably priced, in the state.
Since the first nine opened for play in 1957, and the back nine in late 1960, nature has coexisted with this park-like course and its 143 acres.
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Yardage: 6,295
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
This beautiful pine-tree-swathed course is consistently ranked among the best maintained, but also the most reasonably priced, in the state.
Since the first nine opened for play in 1957, and the back nine in late 1960, nature has coexisted with this park-like course and its 143 acres.
PGA Pro Tom Davidson is on hand at the course and tournaments are held from April through the first snows of November. Junior golfers can participate in classes from beginner to advanced for minimal cost, thanks to the course’s status as a nonprofit.
Blue tee blocks are rated 70.1, par 72, with a slope of 120 and 6,295 course yards. Men’s white blocks rate at 68.7, par 72, with a slope of 116 and 6,037 course yards. The ladies’ white blocks are 73.7 rated, par 74, with a 124 slope and 6,037 course yards. Senior gold is 66.6 rated, par 72, with a slope of 111 and 5,560 yards and red blocks for the ladies are 71.0 rated, par 74 with a slope of 118 and 5,560 course yards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.cdapublicgolf.com
www.cdapublicgolf.com
Centennial Golf • Nampa, ID
Yardage: 6,499
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
The 18-hole “Centennial” course at the Centennial Golf Course facility in Nampa, Idaho, features 6,499 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 68.5 and it has a slope rating of 97. Centennial Golf Course opened in 1988.
The course also features a 25-tee driving range in addition to the regulation 18.
Yardage: 6,499
# of Holes:18
Par: 72
Walk/Cart: Both
The 18-hole “Centennial” course at the Centennial Golf Course facility in Nampa, Idaho, features 6,499 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 68.5 and it has a slope rating of 97. Centennial Golf Course opened in 1988.
The course also features a 25-tee driving range in addition to the regulation 18.
Greens fees are a reasonable $30 on the weekends and include a golf cart where they are available.
Nearby cities with courses include Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Emmett, Kuna, Meridian and Star.
Nearby cities with courses include Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Emmett, Kuna, Meridian and Star.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
208.468.5889
Challis Golf Course • Challis, ID
Yardage: 6,200
# of Holes: 9
Par: 32
Walk/Cart: Both
The residents of Challis really wanted a little golf course to tool around on, so much so that hundreds of volunteer hours went into developing this gorgeous nine-hole course that offers beautiful views along with challenging play.
Yardage: 6,200
# of Holes: 9
Par: 32
Walk/Cart: Both
The residents of Challis really wanted a little golf course to tool around on, so much so that hundreds of volunteer hours went into developing this gorgeous nine-hole course that offers beautiful views along with challenging play.
At 3,200 yards, it is one of the longest nine-hole courses in Idaho. What started as a small honor-system-based course is now a lush green course with a log clubhouse with covered deck and incredible views. There is a new RV park adjacent to the course for travelers. Number 8 is the signature hole and the course has two par-5, two par-3 and four par-4 holes and no waiting for tee times.
The driving range also houses a stage and facilities for events like the musical Braun Brothers who throw a reunion party at the course annually in late summer.
After golf, enjoy a swim in the nearby Challis Hot Springs; picnic in the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park; take a float trip down the Salmon River; or dredge for gold at the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
208.879.5400
Ridgecrest Golf Club • Nampa, ID
Yardage: 7,000
# of Holes: 9
Par: 32
Walk/Cart: Both
Not only is Ridgecrest Nampa’s newest recreation facility, it also recently received Golf Digest’s four-star rating.
Yardage: 7,000
# of Holes: 9
Par: 32
Walk/Cart: Both
Not only is Ridgecrest Nampa’s newest recreation facility, it also recently received Golf Digest’s four-star rating.
Ridgecrest is a links-style course set in rolling cornfields, with vast areas of water. The course offers golfing opportunities for all levels of play. Ridgecrest Golf Club is a 27-hole facility with a regulation 18-hole course that can vary from 4,900 yards to 7,000 yards and an executive par-32, nine-hole course that can stretch to almost 2,400 yards.
Amenities include a pro shop, driving range, clubhouse, instruction, practice bunker, putting/chipping, snack bar, banquet rooms, club rental and restaurant.
Pros James Brown, director of golf, and Scott Nicholes, certified pro, are on hand to sweeten your technique.
White Clouds Course • Sun Valley, ID
Yardage: 3,595
# of Holes: 9
Par: 36
Walk/Cart: Both
How do you improve on what Golf Digest calls “one of the best 100 golf courses in the United States and the No. 1 golf course in Idaho.”? Sun Valley Golf Course has answered that question with a new nine-hole addition to open this season.
Yardage: 3,595
# of Holes: 9
Par: 36
Walk/Cart: Both
How do you improve on what Golf Digest calls “one of the best 100 golf courses in the United States and the No. 1 golf course in Idaho.”? Sun Valley Golf Course has answered that question with a new nine-hole addition to open this season.
There is not a bad perspective whichever direction you are contemplating, as this range includes breathtaking views atop a stunning ridgeback rivaling any course in the country.
A new stone 58,756-square-foot clubhouse also is underway with a completion date of mid-summer 2008. The building will double as headquarters for the Sun Valley Nordic Center in winter and will provide all the amenities for both activities including a restaurant, bar, pro shop and an indoor driving range.
The Sun Valley Resort Golf Course will provide a challenging round for every level of player. Robert Trent Jones Jr. finished his redesign of the course in 1980 with a full complement of stream carries and ominous bunkers well positioned to catch the errant shot. The 6,892-yard, 72-par course has 18 signature holes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.sunvalley.com
208.622.2251
Compiled by Jennifer Liebrum
