On the Links
Photography Courtesy of Individual Golf Courses
High-end private golf has come to greater Park City in a big way. One could argue that the region has supplanted the Vail Valley as the most compelling private golf venue in the intermountain West. A trio of newer real estate developments has added a completely different facet to the town’s reputation as an outdoorsman’s paradise, and they are helping to transform the golf life in Park City from better-than-average to extraordinary.
Tuhaye
Not only is this the newest upscale golf project in the region, it also has a unique cache. The course architect is actually a part-time Park City resident.
PGA Tour veteran, two-time major champion and frequent area visitor Mark O’Meara is the designer of record at this wonderful track, located some 15 minutes east of town, with views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and the slopes at Deer Valley.
The front nine has a bit more in the way of elevation and slope changes, with a couple of water features to be wary of. The second nine goes out to the easternmost point of the property, and then returns on a slight uphill grade toward the clubhouse. The second half of the trek plays a couple of strokes harder than the first, as there’s more overall length, and the final stretch not only plays uphill, but also into the prevailing breeze.
“Mark O’Meara is a long time resident of Deer Valley and understands the local climate, topography and native plant material, all of which help create this most extraordinary mountain course,” explains Director of Club Operations Mark Chitwood, who’s also a PGA professional. “Tuhaye ranges from 7,800 yards at the back tees to 5,200 yards from the forward tees, with four to six tee boxes per hole.” Chitwood claims that Tuhaye’s signature hole is the 3rd, a downhill, reachable par 5 protected by a greenside pond, offering a straight-ahead view of the ski slopes at Deer Valley. Course conditions are uniformly excellent, with G-2 bent grass on the greens, and Princeville bent grass on the tees and fairways. At some future point there will undoubtedly be a housing presence, as there are 600+ lots on the property. But currently there’s nothing but emerald fairways and long views across the valley. “Great competitive players like Mark O’Meara bring a unique perspective to course design by emphasizing shot values and game management.” concludes Chitwood. “These design characteristics will provide an enjoyable challenge for all levels of golfer at Tuhaye.”
For more information, call 866.333.9120.
Promontory Ranch Club
This massive 7,000+-acre parcel is just a few miles east of town, little more than ten minutes to Main Street. Almost 700 homesites have been plotted thus far out of a planned 1,600. As of late autumn 2005, 515 lots have been sold, another 80 or so are in escrow, and approximately 100 homes are either completed or under construction.
“To me, the Promontory project is more of a foothill site, and not a true mountain site,” exclaims design consultant Perry Dye, son of course architect Pete Dye. Perry, along with two of his cousins, assisted Pete Dye during construction of the Promontory course. His description of a golf course project sitting at about 7,000 feet above sea level might strike some as curious, but Dye is used to the more dramatic topography found near his Colorado base. “It's a relatively flat site, considering the location,” explains Dye.
The course, which opened in 2002, has a dual personality. The outward nine has a southern exposure, and the holes are routed through a sunlit meadow. It features expansive views of up to 30 miles, including views of the ski slopes in town. The back nine is located over a ridge in the property and is nestled within a contained valley. The feeling is more sheltered, less wide open than the outward nine.
The architects planted thousands of saplings on the perimeter of the playing area, a project that has been ongoing for several years. Perhaps by the time the second course on the property opens in 2006, this one a Jack Nicklaus design, Dye’s tree planting will be complete. Promontory building lots are priced between the mid $500,000 mark and $2 million, ranging in size from half an acre up to 10 acres. Members and residents also enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding, in addition to memorable golf.
“This course has really made a statement out in Utah,” says Pete Dye, whose work at Promontory is his first effort in the state. “The arid climate is great for golf, and the tremendously long vistas that are part of the landscape will make this course stand out.”
For more information, call 888.458.6600.
Glenwild
This Tom Fazio beauty is considered the number one course in the state, and few would argue against its lofty ranking. The 900-acre Glenwild project is located in a wildflower-filled valley northeast of Kimball Junction, just a few minutes from Interstate 80 and about 15 minutes to Main Street. Lots range from about $600,000 to $2 million each, and more than half of the original 195 land parcels are either built upon, under construction or in the design/review stage.
Among Glenwild’s chief amenities is an 81/2-mile mountain bike/pedestrian trail. It offers steep climbs, exhilarating descents and mellow traverses through the wildflowers, with striking views of both the Tom Fazio golf course and nearby town of Park City. It’s important to remember that irrespective of the lush fairways and ornate 37,000 square foot clubhouse, Glenwild, like the other high-end, golf-oriented developments springing up in the region, is part of a youthful and vibrant community full of outdoorsmen and athletes of all stripes. The mountain bike trail is a valuable feature and fine addition to the development.
Just as exhilarating as the bike trail is Fazio’s handiwork. Five sets of tees allow players of varying abilities to try their luck, and the tips stretch more than 7,500 yards. Don’t falter down the stretch, as the finishing holes at Glenwild are double-black diamond on the difficulty scale. The 16th is a long par 5 heading south toward the ski resorts, a lake left of the fairway causing concern the whole way. The 17th is perpendicular, a par 3 over a sliver of the water, and the last is a north-facing par 4 pushing 500 yards, back in the opposite direction of the 16th, the water again lurking to a player’s left.
In addition to the naturally occurring flora and fauna, 9,000 trees were planted on the property to enhance the feeling of rusticity and remove. The wind is mostly an afternoon factor at Glenwild, which day-to-day isn’t buffeted by breezes as regularly as some of the area’s more exposed courses. The property is in a bit of a nook, and is blocked by a couple of large hills on two sides.
For more information, call 877.919.9453.
Jeremy Ranch
The first couple holes at this 25-year-old Arnold Palmer thrill-ride are actually parallel to one of the nation’s busiest interstates. Interstate 80 makes a hell of a lateral hazard on the first and second. But from there, Jeremy turns toward East Canyon and winds, dips and drops through some of the best golf terrain in the region.
“Even with all the additions to the local golf scene in the last five years, Jeremy Ranch is still one of the premier courses in the state,” offers Tom Costello, the course’s head professional with more than 15 years of tenure.
“Although there are a couple of serious examples of dramatic elevation change,” explains Costello, referring in part to the all-world 4th, a par 3 with a hundred foot drop, considered to be among the finest 18 holes in the state, “overall I don’t think it’s that prevalent.” There’s a housing presence to be certain, as there are about 450 homes in the development. But the housing is by no means all-encompassing, and is present on only seven holes.
Jeremy Ranch has had a full complement of 435 members for over a decade. “The members love it. It’s a fun course and holds your interest all the way through.” The reputation goes beyond the Salt Lake Valley. It has hosted the Utah Amateur, the longest-running state amateur championship in the nation, on several occasions. It was also the host venue for the Senior Tour for almost ten years, before they moved down the road a bit to Park Meadows in the early ’90s.
For more information, call 435.649.2700.
Park Meadows
Park Meadows is a bit of an anomaly compared to the other courses under discussion. Management refers to the flattish, virtually tree-less expanse as an “Alpine Links.” Park Meadows may not offer the drama of a plunging tee shot or an across-the-valley view like some of the other venues. But no course is more convenient to town, and none has played host to the finest senior players as recently as Park Meadows, which hosted a popular Senior PGA event through 2002.
“We’re in the valley here in the town of Park City,” explains Jay Haffner, the club’s general manager since March 2005. The club is five minutes from the center of town and Park City Mountain Resort, whose runs are clearly visible from the course fairways, and maybe ten minutes from Deer Valley.
Stretching 7,400 yards from the tips, and 6,850 yards from the penultimate markers, Park Meadows is routed through one of the most desirable neighborhoods in town. “Our course is playable for all levels of golfers,” continues the GM. “When we had the Champions Tour in town for over a decade, the winning margins were usually just 6 or 7 under par. But juniors, women and higher handicap players can handle the course from the appropriate markers.”
Ten holes have water lurking, and there are 100+ bunkers dotting this 1983 Jack Nicklaus design, which morphed from public-access to totally private in 1997. Both nines conclude in daunting fashion, as the ninth and 18th are stellar, lengthy par 4s.
Midway through the inward nine are back-to-back breakers. The 189 yard 14th, with an angled green along the edge of the water hazard, was considered one of the hardest one-shot holes on the Champions Tour. The 15th is a reachable par 5 with a dual fairway, the green fronted by water.
“Currently we have 320+ members, with a cap of 350,” explains Haffner. “Even though we’re more than 20 years old now, we’re still in demand, as evidenced by dozens of new memberships annually. Some of the newer venues in the area are wonderful, but it can be tough to find a game. We’re a true club, with a bevy of activities. Here our golf program and social activities are always hopping.”
For more information, call 435.649.2460.
Part-time Parkite Joel Zuckerman has written three books, and has contributed to nearly 100 magazines. But he claims no writing assignments give him as much pleasure as his bi-annual contributions to Park City Magazine.
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