Correction: Tribal CASINO golf courses. There is a distinction, and this award reflects it.
For my money, either of the We Ko Pa courses are better, but Circling Raven is wonderful by any definition.
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(WORLEY, Idaho) - Circling Raven Golf Club has been named the
nation's best Indian casino golf course in the nation by Native American
Casino Magazine. This is the second consecutive time Circling Raven has
garnered the top spot in this list published by the national industry
publication.
Being named No. 1 in this category is extremely high praise for
Circling Raven given the many other acclaimed resort courses against which
it was compared. They include some of the best-known designs in American
golf, including Barona Creek (Lakeside, Calif.), Turning Stone (Verona,
N.Y.) and Dancing Rabbit (Philadelphia, Miss.).
Designed by golf course architect Gene Bates, Circling Raven is
featured in the publication's August issue which unveils the Top 20 tribal
golf course list for 2008.
Editor Melanie Dellas said, among other things, the formula for
ranking courses was based on the beauty and quality of the course, design
and accolades garnered.
"Circling Raven is a magnificent course that definitely deserves top
honors," said Dellas.
There are about 70 tribal golf courses in the U.S. Tribal casino
resort golf is the industry's hottest niche and includes many of the
nation's most highly regarded courses.
"Circling Raven and Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort & Hotel are
extremely honored by this distinction, particularly considering the quality
of Tribal casino courses nationally," said David Lasarte-Meeks, CEO of the
CDA Casino Resort & Hotel. "Many of our people have worked extremely hard
for the past several years to ensure Circling Raven lives up to our
standards and vision. We are gratified by this recognition and inspired to
continue to uphold Circling Raven's growing reputation as one of the finest
golf clubs anywhere."
Other Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven include
* Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4)" - Golf Digest
Magazine
* Top 100 Courses You Can Play - "One to Watch for in 2008" -
GOLF Magazine
* Top U.S. Resort Courses - Golfweek Magazine 2007 and 2008
* America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
* No. 9 in the "Signature 36" - Fairways + Greens Magazine
2007
* Top U.S. Casino Golf Courses - Golf For Women Magazine
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year - Inland Empire Chapter of
the PGA 04, 05, 06, 07
* Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d'Alene Area Chapter
of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor
I have not played that many native american golf courses, but was pleasantly surprised to see the Circling Raven Golf Club named as the #1 ranked among tribal golf courses. I have heard of Barona Creek being excellent and We-Ko-Pa also ranked high among tribal courses.