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FeedA Growing Giant
Hole 16 at Glenwild is a long par 5 heading south toward the ski resorts, a lake left of the fairway causing concern the whole way.
Photo Courtesy of Tuhaye
It’s springtime along the Wasatch Front in Utah’s Rocky Mountains. The days are stretching, nights are warming and the courses are greening once again, shedding another thick layer of winter’s snowfall.
The Salt Lake City Games of 2002 showed the world at large what avid skiers have known for decades: that the nearby town of Park City is truly one of the great winter playgrounds on earth. But what still remains mostly undiscovered is the burgeoning golf scene in this area of northern Utah.
The clear skies, low humidity and mild temperatures of the warm weather months have until fairly recently been the province of bikers, hikers, rafters and climbers. But upscale golf has become part of the equation as well. A trio of newer real estate developments is adding a completely different facet to this town’s reputation as an outdoorsman’s paradise. These, in concert with a couple of well-established and highly regarded private clubs of long standing, are helping to transform the golf life in Park City from better-than-average to extraordinary.
Promontory Ranch Club
This massive 7,000+-acre parcel is just a few miles east of town, little more than ten minutes to Park City’s Main Street. Almost 700 home sites 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, who, along with two of his cousins, Matt Dye and Cynthia Dye McGarey, 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 in length, 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 property opens in 2006, this one a Jack Nicklaus design, Dye’s tree planting will be complete. Promontory lots are priced between the mid $500,000 mark and $2 million, ranging in size from one-half acre up to ten acres. Members and residents also enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding in addition to the 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 or visit www.promontoryclub.com.
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 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-or-so 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 towards the clubhouse. The second half of the trek is a couple of strokes harder than the first, as there’s more length overall, and the final stretch not only plays uphill, but also into the prevailing breeze.
“Mark O’Meara is an elite player and resident and brings local knowledge and expertise, all of which help create this most extraordinary mountain course,” explains Director of Club Operations, Mark Chitwood, who’s also a PGA professional. “It plays anywhere from 7,800 down to 5,200 yards in length, with four to six tee boxes per hole.” Chitwood claims Tuhaye’s signature hole is the 3rd, downhill, reachable par 5 bisected by a large retention pond, offering a straight-ahead view of the runs at Deer Valley across the valley floor.
Course conditions are uniformly excellent, with G-2 bent-grass on the greens, and Princeville bent grass on 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 players like Mark O’Meara design great courses, which I’ve always been partial to,” concludes Chitwood. “Mark O’Meara brings unique shot values, and has incorporated playing characteristics a player will be challenged by at Tuhaye.”
For more information call 866-333-9120 or visit www.taliskerclub.com
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 just 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 apiece, 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 8 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 makes for a valuable feature and fine addition to the development, but it’s not something you’d likely see advertised in the sales brochures at golf communities in Palm Springs or Palm Beach.
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 northward facing par 4 pushing 500 yards, back in the opposite direction of the 16th, the water again lurking to a player’s left. Needless to say, the 17th presents a formidable challenge toward the end of a round But that said, the always immaculate course is a pleasure to play, according to Head Pro Ken Weyland.
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 course is actually in a bit of a nook, blocked by a couple of large hills on two sides of the property.
For more information call 877-919-9453 or visit www.glenwild.com.
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. Route 80, commencing at the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey and culminating at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, makes a hell of a lateral hazard on the first and second holes. But from there, Jeremy turns north into the East Canyon (sorry about the directional confusion) 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 mostly-impressive homes in the development. But the housing is by no means all-encompassing, and is present on only seven holes. There’s a stream that feeds into the East Canyon Reservoir, which wanders to and fro across the final two thirds of the golf course, influencing drives and approaches, making its presence felt all the way towards the clubhouse.
Costello might be biased toward the 7,138 yards of his home turf, but facts are facts. 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’s hosted the Utah Amateur, the longest-running state amateur championship in the nation, by the way, on several occasions. It was also the host venue for the Senior Tour for nearly ten years.
Seventy percent of the members live locally, in either the Jeremy Ranch development itself, or in nearby Park City. “I’ve played them all,” says Costello, referring to the recent proliferation of high-end courses in the area. “And I think our course is as good as or better than any of them. I’m happy right here at home.”
For more information call 801-531-9000.
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. Unlike hs management colleagues at the other clubs, Haffner can pop downtown for lunch or coffee if so inclined, and be back at his desk in no time. The club is five minutes from the center of town and the Park City ski area, 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-backbreakers. 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. We’re a true club, with a bevy of activities. Here our golf program and social activities are always hopping.”
For more information, please call 435-649-2460.
Joel Zuckerman splits time between Savannah, Georgia and Park City, Utah. His latest book is Misfits on the Links. His fifth book, entitled Utah Fairways, will be available in the summer of 2007.
And there’s more
Public and resort play are readily available in the Park City area. Please contact the following courses for more information.
Park City Golf Course
This recently redesigned public course is located in the heart of Park City near the bottom of the ski resort. 801-521-2135
Homestead resort Golf Course
Designed by Senior PGA Touring Professional Bruce Summerhays, the Homestead Resort Golf Course was recently named “Best of State.” 888-327-7220
Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course
Voted one of the "Best Places to Play" by Golf Digest, this spectacularly scenic 36-hole facility is divided between the 18-hole Mountain Course and the 18-hole Lake Course. 888-WASATCH (927-2824)
Soldier Hollow Golf Course
Soldier Hollow Golf Course is the newest addition to Wasatch Mountain State Park. The championship, 36-hole facility features two 18-hole courses: the Gold and Silver. 888-WASATCH (927-2824)
