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Jim Johnson

Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« on: July 03, 2008, 08:35:36 PM »
My wife and I are headed out west to central British Columbia for a week of r&r in mid-August, and then we hope to get a few rounds in at several courses in the NW states while heading back home (midwest Canada).

Any suggestions for public tracks in Washington state, Idaho, Montana, and/or south east B.C.?

If possible, please add comments on each course suggested.

Thanks,
JJ

Craig Van Egmond

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2008, 08:57:44 PM »

JJ,

    It would be helpful if you kind of describe the route you will be taking as those are some big states. 

    I think that Old Works is the best public in Montana and reasonable priced. They used slag in the bunkers for sand for a different look and feel.

    Chambers Bay is certainly the best game in Washington. Its walking only and pretty expensive.

     If you are cruising I-90 then Indian Canyon in Spokane is a blast from the past. On the way up north Loomis Trail/Semiahmoo resort is just before the Wash/BC border and they are good plays.

Jim Adkisson

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2008, 09:04:27 PM »
Chambers Bay in Tacoma before flying out of Sea-Tac...comments on this great course many in many other threads

Jim Johnson

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2008, 09:16:58 PM »
JJ,
It would be helpful if you kind of describe the route you will be taking as those are some big states. 


Sorry Craig...yeah, that might help...

The general idea is to head south out of the interior of B.C. (Penticton), and into the central interior of Washington, and then back through central Idaho and through Montana, eventually heading back up into Canada (north of the Montana/North Dakota state line). So basically, on or north of I-90 and I-94. We may wind up our trip at Red Mike (Links of North Dakota) and/or Bully Pulpit...we golfed both of these last August and enjoyed them.

We have zero plans after our week in Penticton, so the trip home may well depend on suggestions from this site. We'd like to keep to any courses north of I-90.

Thanks again for any advice,
JJ

Kalen Braley

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2008, 09:23:36 PM »
JJ,

If you make it to the Spokane area, which is right on I-90, both Indian Canyon in Spokane and Circling Raven which is a 30-40 minute drive southeast of there are worth a look.

Kalen

Jim Johnson

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2008, 10:21:23 PM »
Yeah Kalen, we stayed at the resort and golfed Circling Raven a couple of years ago. A good choice.

Any other suggestions?

JJ

DMoriarty

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2008, 11:53:41 PM »
You might consider coming down further East, just into Alberta, and playing the Stanley Thomson courses in Banff and Jasper. 

As for Montana, there are some pleasant courses in the Flathead, Whitefish area.  No great shakes architecturally,  but in beautiful settings and a pleasant way to spend the day.  The old 18 at Whitefish, in particular.  Others are Buffalo Hill (Kalispel), and Meadow Lake (Columbia Falls,)  Eagle Bend (Big Fork,) and the old nine in Polson.  Also, there may be a few newer courses on area Indian Reservations.   Again, nothing at all inspiring architecturally, but if you happen to come down through Waterton and Glacier Parks, they might be worth a play. 

Missoula has a newer course called either Phantom Links, I think.  Part of a development/club called the Ranch Club, but they accept outside play.  I've heard mixed things, but haven't played it.

East Missoula has a newer Curley-Schmidt design called Canyon River.   I played the back nine.  Was not my cup of tea, did not feel like Montana and I found it contrived.  But it made the Golf Digest list of good, inexpensive courses for last year, so you may want to check it out.  My guess is that many here would like it.  Right next to the freeway.

Old Works in Anaconda is definitely worth playing if passing by.  Some good, fun holes, some not so good.  But interesting because of the setting and the engineering that went into the project.  If you are up for an adventure check out the Anaconda Country Club, 9 holes built in 1908.  Or the Butte Country Club, 1909, by Alex Findlay.  I think the ACC is on the original site, but not sure about the BCC.  Anaconda gladly accepts outside play.  Not sure about Butte.

Bozeman has some newer courses in the area, but don't know much about them.

Good Luck and Have Fun.
 
Golf history can be quite interesting if you just let your favorite legends go and allow the truth to take you where it will.
--Tom MacWood (1958-2012)

Craig Sweet

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2008, 12:05:54 AM »
In the Missoula area The Ranch Club...around $50...Canyon River...I thinks its way better than the earlier post claimed....a bargain...under $40 I believe...Old Works is about 100 miles east of Missoula....its ok, but I do not think its as good as The Ranch Club or Canyon River....to the north...there's a couple of ok courses near Kalispell and Whitefish...
LOCK HIM UP!!!

Scott_Burroughs

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2008, 01:53:58 AM »
JJ,

In central Idaho (McCall area), Jug Mountain Ranch is your best choice (and reasonably priced), followed by Osprey Meadows (the course at Tamarack Resort).

This was the photo spread of Osprey Meadows I posted in late '06:

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,27071.0.html
« Last Edit: July 04, 2008, 02:10:22 AM by Scott_Burroughs »

Jim Johnson

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2008, 02:12:11 AM »
You might consider coming down further East, just into Alberta, and playing the Stanley Thomson courses in Banff and Jasper. 

We golfed Jasper and Blackhawk (Edmonton) last year on the way home from Penticton. In my early 20's, ahem, "several" years ago, I golfed Banff Springs once or twice a week, while in the employment of the Canadian Pacific Railway's Chateau Lake Louise. They had a "staff discount"...good Mon-Thurs, after 3pm, for, get this, $6.00.

We'll likely head back along I-90, so won't be taking the north route through Montana (Going-to-the-Sun road), as we've driven that route several times in the past (highly recommended btw, if you've never been).

Thanks for the suggestions so far. If there's any more out there, I'd love to hear them.

JJ

Ryan Farrow

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2008, 01:35:39 PM »
I would advise you to not play Old Works, maybe stop in and take a look around, but by all means its not worth the time to actually play.

Jim Johnson

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2008, 07:52:26 PM »
Why do you say that, Ryan?

Jason McNamara

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2008, 06:11:33 AM »
Desert Canyon -seems- to have sorted out their $ situation, judging by the website, but I have no specifics. 
http://www.desertcanyon.com/golf.html

That would be one place to stop between Chambers Bay & Indian Canyon.

Here's another member asking a similar question (though he may have better access than most):
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,14002.0.html

Craig Sweet

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2008, 06:19:09 AM »
Old Works?  I can't answer for Ryan, but I found it to be pretty bland....it's a bit of a "gimmick".....the  first golf course built on a Superfund site story....the black slag bunkers....the length....the course has a couple of tough holes, but it is mostly unremarkable....
LOCK HIM UP!!!

Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2008, 06:33:35 AM »
The Oganagan Valley has some of the most scenic and inexpensive golf in the world.  I can suggest 6 or more courses worth seeing.  Banff and Jasper should not be missed.

JJ - have you a good appreciation of the drive you and your wife are about to take?  I've spend a significant portion of my 56 years (was 25 years a member of a north Idaho club) in that area and what your are suggesting will have little time for golf.  You'll be behind the wheel for the Lion's share of the trip.

JC

Ryan Farrow

Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #15 on: July 06, 2008, 10:15:01 PM »
Why do you say that, Ryan?

For the same reasons Craig mentioned.

cary lichtenstein

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #16 on: July 07, 2008, 12:48:17 AM »
Coure de lane is a nice resort, course is fun to play, not great, Blackrock is private, that is an exceelent course if you have access
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #17 on: July 07, 2008, 06:29:38 AM »
Ugh!

Cary - the N Idaho people are cringing.  It's Coeur d'Alene.  It's French for heart of steel.

JC

W.H. Cosgrove

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #18 on: July 07, 2008, 09:36:52 AM »
While in McCall ID along with Tamarack and Jug
Mountain, Any North's Whitetail is very nice as well.  Although the addition of homesites has been a detraction.

Scott_Burroughs

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #19 on: July 07, 2008, 09:54:24 AM »
While in McCall ID along with Tamarack and Jug
Mountain, Any North's Whitetail is very nice as well.  Although the addition of homesites has been a detraction.

You must stay at the resort to play Whitetail, I believe. 

Kalen Braley

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #20 on: July 07, 2008, 01:38:34 PM »
The resort course at CDA is a nice course, but not a good value IMO for the summer rack rates.

I'd just as soon play some of the other spokane courses like Hangman Valley, Indian Canyon, Qualchan Creek for under $30 than pony up $200+ for CDA resort.

Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #21 on: July 07, 2008, 05:56:40 PM »
Kalen - Indian and Hangman I'll buy but Qualchan is as close to architorture as you can get.  CdA is pricey.  Gozzer Ranch is a fine Fazio across from CdA.  Avondale is OK although there are house closely lingnig most fairways.

JC   

Kalen Braley

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #22 on: July 07, 2008, 05:59:50 PM »
Kalen - Indian and Hangman I'll buy but Qualchan is as close to architorture as you can get.  CdA is pricey.  Gozzer Ranch is a fine Fazio across from CdA.  Avondale is OK although there are house closely lingnig most fairways.

JC   

Jonathon,

Understood, Qualchan isn't top tier, but for less than $30 its a pretty darn good value for what you get.  Agreed though, a few of the holes need to be re-done.  That tee shot on the 1st hole is good stuff though huh?  ;)


Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #23 on: July 07, 2008, 06:11:41 PM »




  That tee shot on the 1st hole is good stuff though huh?  ;)


[/quote]

I'd rather hang glide from that hole!

Don Hyslop

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Re: Suggestions for Washington/Idaho/Montana/B.C.
« Reply #24 on: July 07, 2008, 06:43:32 PM »
 Check out the area of Fernie, B.C. In fact you can play a virtual game on Fernie Golf and Country Club through this website which gives you some great views of their 18 holes.

http://ferniegolf.com/shot_by_shot.html
Thompson golf holes were created to look as if they had always been there and were always meant to be there.

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