On the Idaho Golf Trail

The Idaho Department of Commerce formulated the Idaho Golf Trail a few years ago, starting with six excellent courses, and has since added three more, all of the same caliber.

Divided into the northern loop and southern loop, the Idaho Golf Trail mirrors the diversity of the state. The northern courses consist of Hidden Lakes Golf Resort in Sandpoint, StoneRidge Golf Club in Blanchard, Coeur d’ Alene Resort Golf Course in Coeur d’ Alene, and Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley. The southern loop has MeadowCreek Golf Resort in New Meadows, Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, BanBury Golf Club in Eagle, Sun Valley Resort Golf Course in Sun Valley, and Whitetail Club Golf Course in McCall. For those planning on golfing the entire 532-mile trail (Sun Valley to Hidden Lakes), it is suggested going from south to north. By doing so, golfers/RVers gain an extra hour of daylight when crossing from the Mountain to Pacific Time Zone just north of Riggins, Idaho.

Great Scenery
An official with the Idaho Department of Commerce said the golf trail is designed to “promote the many and diverse splendors Idaho has to offer.” At Sun Valley, for example, visitors will find much more than skiing and celebrity spotting. Sun Valley Resort Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. track measuring 6,892 yards, offers fantastic scenery in a mountain setting. Made famous by author Ernest Hemingway, who called the area home for several years, the greater Sun Valley/Ketchum area also is known for its fishing, skiing, biking, and scenic drives.

BanBury Golf Club, a few miles west of the state capital Boise, parallels the bucolic Boise River. This par-71, 6,871-yard impeccable links-style track wends its way through wetlands and meadows, and is rated by Golf Digest as one of Idaho’s top courses. BanBury is artistically designed, blending golf with the river’s native wildlife habitat.

Tamarack Resort gained headlines several months ago when President Bush made a surprise visit to the area. The resort’s golf course, Osprey Meadows, will attract golfers nationwide once the word is out. A Robert Trent Jones Jr. signature course, Osprey Meadows lies in a sweeping meadow between the forest of Tamarack’s steep-rising Council Mountain and picturesque Lake Cascade. The 400-acre layout features natural and varied terrain and more than 90 bunkers. There are also significant water features and wetlands, tree-lined fairways, spacious greens and five par-5 holes. Those greens, by the way, average 7,000 square feet. With the course at more than 5,000 feet in elevation, golf balls should fly a little farther. Osprey Meadows is a public course with private memberships available. All golfers have access to Tamarack’s lodge and spa.

Though wonderful in many aspects, Whitetail Club Golf Course is private, and only open to resort guests. This raises the question: Why is it a member of the Idaho Golf Trail? Whitetail is located 100 miles north of Boise, situated on Payette Lake in McCall. It’s designed by two-time U.S. Open winner Andy North, and was carved through dense forest, towering pines, and fields of sweeping meadows and beautiful flowers. A statue of the great Bobby Jones welcomes you upon arrival.

The final installment of the southern loop is MeadowCreek Golf Resort. Nestled between the Boise and Payette national forests, MeadowCreek is a fabulous track at 3,868 feet above sea level. Built in the Meadows Valley, this par-72 measures 6,696 yards, and is highlighted with the towering alpine peaks of Granite Mountain standing guard. The course weaves in and out of the pine trees and across verdant meadows, offering changing scenery and stimulating golf at every turn.

Northern Loop
Up north in the panhandle, you’ll find Circling Raven Golf Club, which Golf Digest lists among the “Top 10 Best New Upscale Courses” in America. Its natural beauty has been acknowledged by Audubon International, which included Circling Raven in its Cooperative Sanctuary System. The course is named after the Coeur d’ Alene tribal chieftain who, legend says, understood the language of the raven and foretold of the Jesuit missionaries coming to the area years prior to their arrival. Located 30 miles from Coeur d’ Alene, Circling Raven is set on 620 acres and measures 7,189 yards. The par-72 offers a mix of woodlands and wetlands. The 6,500-square-foot clubhouse features the Twisted Earth Grill.

The famous Coeur d’ Alene Resort Golf Course was originally the site of a sawmill, which operated from 1916 to 1988. The course is known for its 14th hole, the 15,000-square-foot floating green that weighs 5 million pounds. There’s a dock attached for the small boat that carries golfers and putters from the shore to the putting surface. The par-71, 6,735-yard course offers views of Lake Coeur d’ Alene from all 18 holes.

RVers will especially like the amenities at StoneRidge Golf Course just north of Coeur d’ Alene. StoneRidge’s Motor Coach Village offers 112 sites, each with a 20- by 60-foot concrete pad. Restricted to 32-foot minimum Class A motorhomes, StoneRidge also features 100-amp hookups, barbecues, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, putting greens, and non-stop scenery. There’s a fantastic golf course, too. The par-71, 6,684 yard course is set on picturesque Lake San Souci, French for “without a care.” Nearby, the Grill Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Another unique aspect at StoneRidge is its 19th hole. Affectionately called the “Gambler,” this is where you settle the bet left unsettled through the first 18 holes.

The final stop on the Idaho Golf Trail is Hidden Lakes Golf Resort, a par-71 (72 for women) 6,923-yard scenic and challenging course in Sandpoint. Located amid the splendor of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains, the course has water coming into play on 17 of 18 holes. The professional tees, or Moose Tees, are so designated in honor of the frequent visitors by the same name. The lush stands of cedar, birch, and evergreens also attract bald eagles, osprey, elk and deer.

With all its scenic beauty, the Idaho Golf Train is sure to attract those seeking adventure, both on and off the course. For more information, visit www.idahogolftrail.com or call (800) 84-IDAHO.

Rick Stedman is an avid RVer, golfer and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. He can be reached at rick.stedman@charter.net