TEE IT UP! Family Fun on the Fairway
While this mountain town may be internationally renowned for its champagne powder and world-class skiing, locals know that summer is the best kept secret when swaths of green replace the white bands of snow. Emerald fairways flanked by wildflowers call out to golfers, young and old, as Park City is home to an impressive array of public and private courses. Celebrating the topography of the land, the sport’s iconic designers have made their mark on the area’s luxury golf communities and courses. With majestic peaks, pastoral farms, red rock canyons and sapphire skies as backdrops, a golfer’s paradise can be found in Park City. Whether you purchase a property in one of Park City’s impressive golf communities, join a club, or play a round on public links, golf is a great way to share time with the family and enjoy the splendor of summertime in Utah.
VICTORY RANCH
The Setting: This secluded sanctuary, set on 6,700 acres of backcountry wilderness, offers the solace of nature and five-star amenities. The family-centric community has everything from cozy golf cabins to 80-acre ranch estates. Outfitters are on hand at The Post for mountain biking adventures or fly fishing on the trout-filled Upper Provo, a four-mile stretch that snakes through the property. There’s also luxury yurt camping, a 5-stand shooting facility, archery, heated-year-round-pool, spa, movement studio, gourmet restaurants and more.
The Course: True mountain golf, this Rees Jones course, set at 6,700 to 7,000 feet, takes advantage of its high country topography, challenging golfers with natural hazards, elevation changes and myriad risk versus reward shots. Dramatic mountain views, wildlife sightings and meticulous care make for a memorable 18 holes. With junior tees at 2,755 yards and the Pro tees at 7,600 yards, the course can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.
Standout Hole: The 17th hole is the course’s jewel with its awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic view. “When I stand atop our signature Hole #17 tee in the twilight hours it gives me the same feeling I had the first time I walked through Amen Corner at Augusta. Th is is what golf is about.” Chris Brandenburg, Head Golf Professional.
Best Family Amenity: Newly built, Th e Barn features two adjoining buildings: Th e Family Barn is kid heaven with its ice cream shop, game room, sports court, arts and craft s studio and general store. Parents appreciate chill time at the adults-only Wellness Barn with its Zen spa, Pilates and yoga classes and fresh-pressed juice bar. Outside, everyone loves the winding water slide, massive pool, bocce ball court and paddle tennis pavilion.
Insider: “If we had to describe Th e Barn, we would say it’s the ‘holy grail’ of fun for kids and adults of all ages. From paint nights to nature walks, Th e Barn encourages kids to explore their creative sides while also taking in the captivating wildlife that surrounds the utopia called Victory Ranch. While the kids are playing basketball and hunting for deer antlers, the adults are able to tap into their inner child over a glass of wine and a paint brush. Most children and adults thirst for their own nirvana—ours is called Th e Barn at Victory Ranch,” said Lucy and John Caracappa, owners at Victory Ranch.
RED LEDGES
The Setting: Located in the quaint town of Heber City, an easy 15 minutes from Park City, Red Ledges is a 2,000-acre, four-season playground with stylish alpine homes and stellar recreation. Th ink hiking, mountain biking, fl y fi shing, horseback riding, chuck wagon dinners, pools, a spa, fi tness center, craft sman clubhouse, Cliff Drysdale Tennis School, Jim McLean Golf School and more.
The Course: The Jack Nicklaus Signature weaves its way through a juniper forest and red rock landscape with breathtaking views of snow-laced peaks and rural countryside along the way. It’s no surprise it was named Golf Magazine’s “Best New Private Course in America” when it debuted in 2009, as it’s both challenging and thoughtfully designed, honoring the unique sandstone landscape.
Standout Hole: Th e 9th hole is a devilish par 3 that can play from 113 to 203 yards. An elongated green and elevated tees make the one-shotter scenic—but the rock face of the Red Ledges to the left and a stand of trees on the right makes a straight shot mandatory. Try not to get distracted by the surrounding beauty.
Best Family Amenity: Th e 12-hole Jack Nicklaus Golf Park is perfect for multigenerational play with its multiple tees and oversized and regular cups. It’s a faster and fun round, especially when cruising the course on their golf boards.
Insider: “I think what’s great about Red Ledges is that they bring the best of all worlds as far as golf and tennis facilities. Th ere’s not a facility that I know of anywhere that has such great teaching for both golf and tennis, and also coaching for my husband, my daughter and myself,” said Jody Riml, Red Ledges community member.
PROMONTORY
The Setting: This luxurious multigenerational community overlooks the Park City basin with stirring views of the Wasatch Mountains and the Uinta range. Th e 11-square-mile wonderland has everything from golf villas and chic cabins to mega-estates, along with an equestrian center, two distinct golf courses, architecturally striking clubhouses, The Shed, a bowling alley, arcade, art studio, movie theater, old-fashioned soda fountain, basketball court and 500-seat amphitheater. Members also enjoy tennis, a spa, fitness center, pools, a beach and an Outfitter’s Cabin for adventures in nature.
The Courses: Promontory has two top-ranked golf courses with great design. Families love the playable Pete Dye Canyon course with its multiple tee boxes for all levels. It runs through open meadows, valleys and canyons, with mountain vistas at every turn. The Painted Valley course, a links-style designed by Jack Nicklaus with forgiving fairways and tough greens, also tests golfers with its elevation changes, water hazards and long par 5s.
Standout Hole: Painted Valley’s Hole #12. This 673-yard, monster par 5 starts from a very elevated tee on the top of the blue. With the resplendent views in every direction, you can’t help but to pause and drink in all the alpine beauty.
Best Family Amenity: The Beach House. At 7,000 feet, it’s a toes-in-the-sand experience with kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming in the lake-meets-pool pristine water. Spike the ball on the sand volleyball court, lounge in a waterfront cabana, order a snack at the beachside café or makes s’mores around the fire pits at sunset. There’s even a tiered amphitheater for concerts under the stars.
Insider: “What makes Promontory different is that we have 36 holes of mountain golf with great character. Every time I get out on the fairway, I appreciate the vast open space and incredible scenery. Our courses are also very family friendly with multiple tee boxes, so dad can be a scratch golfer and junior can have a 20 handicap, and they can really enjoy the course together,” said Cole Carlson, Head Golf Professional.
PARK MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB
The Setting: Nestled in the picturesque Park Meadows neighborhood, this private, member-owned club off ers golf and social memberships. Its mountain contemporary clubhouse just underwent a multimillion dollar renovation, upgrading its ambiance and services. Chef Alex Woodside serves up everything from gastropub fare to haute cuisine— his culinary talent further enhanced by the dramatic mountain views framed by the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Members en-joy a fi rst-rate fi tness center, pool, family friendly social events and a true sense of community at this top-notch club. A new resort-style swimming pool complex with fi re pits, hot tubs and pickleball will be completed for summer 2018.
The Course: Designed in Scottish tradition by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, it’s mountain meadow golf at its finest. Named a top 10 in Utah by Golf Digest magazine in 2017, the course features plush fairways, strategic lakes, undulating greens, fi nely manicured greens and charming wooden bridges arching over streams. Th e front nine meanders through the meadows and around the creeks, while the back nine feels secluded with nice elevation changes.
Standout Hole: Number 15 is the ultimate risk versus reward hole as far as a par 5 goes. With a split fairway with a stream in the middle and a water hazard that expands into a lake, it invites lay ups or going for the green—it’s your call.
Best Amenity: The Junior Golf Program. Th e club provides a weekly junior clinic for all ages and abilities to drop in during the season. Park Meadows Country Club also helped start a Park City Junior League and has an active team that competes, encouraging its members to start playing at an early age.
Insider: “This is a very family friendly and walkable course. It’s so great to see three generations on the course playing together, as the design, layout and fl ow is functional for all,” said Michael Manning, Director of Golf.
CANYONS GOLF
The Setting: Golfers check in at the Grand Summit Hotel, located in Canyon Village, where before-or-aft er-play dining can be found at the Red Tail Grill or First Tracks Café—though most players prefer a Vista Dog with bacon jam and a cold one from Wasatch Brewing Co. at the Snack Shack on Hole #5. Golf season pass holders have access to club storage, free lessons and other golf-related benefits.
The Course: Entering its fourth season, this gorgeous golf course tees up 18 holes of spectacular mountainside golf. Designed by renowned architects Gene and Casey Bates, it winds across 97 acres in the heart of Park City Mountain. Though public, Canyons Golf rivals any of the nearby private courses because of its meticulous care, innovative design and arresting views.
Standout Hole: The 10th hole wows with its huge 250-foot elevation drop, allowing players to potentially bomb a 400-yard drive. The signature fi ft h hole has unrivaled vantage points at 7,500 feet, affording eye-popping panoramic views of Park City
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Best Family Amenity: Canyons Golf hosts Th e First Tee of Utah program that uses golf as the foundation to teach a range of valuable life and character lessons to kids. No child is turned away as there are scholarships available for those in need to attend the 10 lessons.
Insider: “Th is is a place where anyone is welcome, and everyone’s included. Golf is such a great way for families to spend time together. And we love seeing kids on the course. We are thrilled to host Th e First Tee of Utah here at Canyons Golf. I’ve seen the positive impact this program makes fi rsthand and I couldn’t be more excited to bring local golf professionals together to make that same impact on youth here in Park City,” said Justin Johnson, Director of Golf.
