Jason, sorry I never jumped on this thread. I was just sitting at my computer tonight was working on writing a review for my website about the Idaho Club and came across this commentary.
As far as where it ranks in Idaho, my personal list looks like this:
1. Gozzer Ranch
2. Black Rock
3. Osprey Meadows at Tamarack
4. Circling Raven
5. The Idaho Club
6. Headwaters at Teton Springs
That grouping of Circling Raven, Idaho Club, and Headwaters is all very close for me. The elevation changes at Circling Raven and Idaho Club are more appealing to me than what is offered at Headwaters. The new set of holes at The Idaho Club are a huge improvement over the original Hidden Lakes layout. The bummer is that the final holes of the round are still very similar feeling to the original Hidden Lakes which is a let down after such a dramatic start. The first 11 holes is a fantastic start but then I was left "wanting" after playing the final seven holes. My favorite hole was #6 which felt like something from the front nine at Castle Pines to me. The only hole I didn't care too much for in those first 11 was the 236 yard 7th. The target is TINY when played from the tips and you have to carry it nearly all the way to the green just to clear the marsh. There is a mini backstop behind the green but nothing to give you "warm fuzzies" about. Most people are going to be heading to the drop area after their tee shot on that hole. The next toughest feature was the tee shot on #10 from the tips. I cleared it OK but my playing partner, who most people would consider a decently long hitter, had trouble with the forced carry due to his low trajectory drive. Of course, the rain and wind that day didn't help!
After just complaining about the 7th hole I'm going to follow that up with the fact that I really like Nicklaus courses. I like demanding courses. They are so satisfying to play when you manage to play well and I think he does a nice job with the aesthetics of courses. Now, the course record was far from being threatened when I played the Idaho Club but I do like a challenging golf course more so than a very "playable" golf course. I like forced carries, I like elevation changes, I like water hazards, etc. The water on the course doesn't feel forced at all on the property. Sandpoint has tons of natural water all over the place. In fact, Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint is 1150 feet deep and used to be used as a submarine diving test area.
Like Andy, I love the scenary of the PNW. It's very appealing to play in the trees, water, mountains, etc. especially when you live in a high desert area like I do. In the end, the Idaho Club has several appealing holes. Halfway through the round I was thinking to myself, "Self, this course is legit! It is hanging in there with Black Rock and Gozzer!" Holes 12-18 changed my mind. The final seven holes were "improved" over the original Hidden Lakes design and are more fair (despite all the trouble) while the bunkering is much more attractive as well. But for me, Circling Raven does a better job of keeping your attention throughout the round and giving you one solid hole after another. While Circling Raven doesn't have anything near as dramatic as several of the front nine holes at The Idaho Club, it is a more consistent, steady, solid round of golf that feels "connected" much better than The Idaho Club.
Circling Raven is an attractive girl sun up to sun down that you wouldn't be embarrassed of but isn't exactly a trophy wife either. The Idaho Club is that hot girl that ROCKS to be with for the first 2/3 of the day but leaves you "wanting" when the fellas are gone and you have to go home with a girl that can't carry a decent conversation and looks less than desirable without her makeup on; kind of an emotional let down at the point when things should be heating up.