ENJOYING PARK CITY’S OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
If there ever was a sport that celebrated social distancing, golf is it! After experiencing the COVID°19 lockdown, golf is an ideal way to immerse yourself in nature, as you follow that tiny white ball through wide-open spaces in the company of wildflowers and wildlife. No crowds, no face masks, no physical contact, nor shared equipment. It’s the ultimate sport to safely reconnect with friends in fresh air and sunshine. Whether you play solo, as a pair, or a squad of four, players follows their own journey, and golf’s Zen-like experience can be a perfect antidote to pandemic stress. The Park City area has a plethora of public and private courses for teeing off. Here’s a look at some of the best golf communities and fairways you’ll find in this golf-loving mountain town.
RED LEDGES
The Setting: Located just outside of Park City in the quaint town of Heber City, Red Ledges is a family-centric, four-season community. The epic Jack Nicklaus Course, Jim McLean Golf School and emerald fairways weaving through a stunning red rock landscape make this the place.
The Course: A true showstopper, the Jack Nicklaus Signature course navigates its way through a juniper forest and sandstone canyons with snow-capped peaks and the pastoral countryside scenery.
Best View: “One of the more dramatic views at Red Ledges is from our first tee box. As you ride your cart uphill and over the pass, you are immediately greeted with an expansive view of the entire Heber Valley and Mt. Timpanogos to your right. After taking in the landscape, you’ll see the beauty of this par 4 and its fairway that lies 200 feet in elevation beneath you. It truly is an amazing start to your golf round,” says Director of Golf, Jon Paupore.
What’s Unique: Shortly after designing the acclaimed 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course, the “Golden Bear” returned to Red Ledges to create the first-ever 12-holeJack Nicklaus Signature Golf Park. Designed to providethe perfect blend of relaxed play and golf excellence, the par-36 Golf Park offers a more casual environment. It’s ideal to introduce kids and grandkids to the timeless game of golf, brush up on your skills, play disc golf, take the“golf-boards” out for a spin, play catch or kick arounda soccer ball. Pets are welcome, too!
Bragging Rights: Red Ledges has proudly been named Best in State for the last 11 years.
redledges.com
JEREMEY RANCH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
The Setting: This private golf and social club in Jeremy Ranch has a lot of charm. Its golf course has withstood the test of time as one of the best mountain layouts in the west, and its modern, glass box clubhouse delivers spectacular views.
The Course: This scenic mountain course boasts the only Arnold Palmer signature design in the state of Utah. It traverses the high foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with the snaking East Canyon Creek acting as both a companion and challenge during play.
Best View: “Hole #4. It’s a trademark hole,” explains Head Golf Professional Jake Hanley, PGA. “The par 3’s elevated tee looks down into a serene, beautiful valley, surrounded by aspens and spruce trees. The occasional moose and deer like to visit this hole as well.”
What’s Unique: Jeremy Ranch has an incredible variety of golf and social activities throughout the year. Everything from tournaments and league play to clinics and golf simulator lessons, along with incredible Nordic cross country skiing in winter and year-round social events.
Bragging Rights: This September, Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club hosts the 122nd Utah State Amateur Championship, the longest continuous running championship in the world.
thejeremy.com
VICTORY RANCH
The Setting: A luxury playground set on 6700 acres of backcountry wilderness, Victory Ranch is a year-round multigenerational community with stellar golf.
The Course: Designed by Rees Jones, the 18 holes at Victory Ranch meander over 7,600 yards of High Country with bent grass greens and fairways, bluegrass rough and tall fescue grass lining its boundaries. Rated among the best in the state by Golf Digest, this course challenges your game, while the dramatic views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains test your focus.
Best View: The outlook from the championship tee box on the 17th hole is the real jewel. Its 360-degree panoramic view takes your breath away with views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and Deer Valley, leaving each player with an indelible feeling that this is a very special place, indeed.
What’s Unique: Traversing high country topography, this course both challenges and mesmerizes golfers with natural hazards, 400-foot elevation changes, and wildlife sightings of soaring golden eagles and elk herds.
What’s new: Course architect Rees Jones is back to renovate the existing bunkers and redesign a new lower range and short-game area.
victoryranchutah.com
CANYONS GOLF
The Setting: Built into the mountainside of Park City Resort, this public course rivals any private one, offering alpine golf at its best.
The Course: Situated across 97 acres in the heart of the Canyons Village, this course was designed by renowned course architects Gene Bates and Casey Bates. It features over 550 feet of elevation change, challenging hazards, meticulous conditions and extraordinary views from virtually every hole.
Best View: “The green off #5. You can see all of Canyons Village, including many of my favorite ski runs and the surrounding Park City area. It’s incredible. When I have a few spare moments, I enjoy going up to #5 Green to take a breath, get some perspective and unwind a bit. It’s good for the golf game and the soul,” says PGA Director of Golf Justin Johnson.
What’s Unique: As this course is literally set on the mountain, Canyons Golf has several holes right on the ski runs, which makes for a memorable game. Golfers get an adrenaline rush from playing at 7000 feet.
Bragging Rights: Hole #10 has an intense 297-foot elevation change from tee to green, while Hole #18 sports a true island green, 100% surrounded by the Willow Draw Stream.
parkcitymountain.com
TALISKER CLUB
The Setting: A private slice of paradise, the Talisker Club in Tuhaye community sits just east of the Jordanelle Reservoir and is highly regarded for its world-class golf, elegant mountain homes and top-rate amenities.
The Course: Designed by Masters and British Open Champion, Mark O’Meara, this course’s beauty comes from its embrace of Utah’s natural landscape. O’Meara did a tremendous job of using the natural contour of the land at Tuhaye. Surrounded by the Wasatch and Uinta mountains, the course is laid out across a forest of sage and scrub oak, rolling through the hills on the front nine and then turning down a canyon on the back nine. While challenging for the best players in the game, it also offers enjoyment for all skill levels.
Best View: The #6 tee box is the unofficial lookout point for the Club. Perched in the middle of the front nine, it unveils panoramic vistas of Deer Valley Resort, towering Mt. Timpanogos, the reservoir and the expansive wilderness of the Uinta Mountains.
Bragging Rights: Talisker Club stands out for its first-class amenities. Think equestrian and trout fishing outposts, a slope-side Tower Club at Deer Valley and private boat access on the Jordanelle. Ever-expanding, Talisker’s new spa, pool and ski beach will add even more glam to the Tower Club scene.
talisker.com
PARK MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB
The Setting: This private, member-owned club golf course is tucked into the charming Park Meadows neighborhood.
The Course: Jack Nicklaus designed this mountain meadow golf course in Scottish links-style tradition. You’ll find undulating greens, picturesque creeks, lake hazards and terrific views of the Wasatch Mountains along this walkable, family-friendly course.
Best View: Hole #12 is a mid-length, downhill par 3 with a picture-perfect view of the ski resorts.
What’s Unique: Park Meadows is the only private golf community in Park City that is right in town, not far from iconic Main Street.
Bragging Rights: Utah Best of State for Fine Dining: Private Club 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018.
parkmeadowscc.com
PROMONTORY
The Setting: This lovely gated community, which overlooks the entire Park City basin, is home to 36-holes of world-class golf with backdrops featuring the Wasatch and Uinta ranges.
The Courses: Promontory has two compelling championship courses, each with distinct character. Th e family-friendly Pete Dye Canyon course meanders through meadows, valleys and canyons with no shortage of arresting views. The links-style Painted Valley course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, challenges golfers with its long par 5s, well-placed water hazards, tough greens and myriad elevation changes.
Best View: “Hole #12 on the Nicklaus course stands out for its breathtaking views from the tee. It overlooks Browns canyon with amazing views of the Uinta Mountains. It’s our most iconic tee shot,” says Director of Golf Ryan Kartchner, PGA.
Bragging Rights: Promontory is the only 36-hole facility in Park City, and its Nicklaus Painted Valley course is the longest in the state of Utah.
What’s New: Double Deer, an event space with a 250-person ballroom, Asian-themed spa, and The 19th, a new golf lounge for both lunch and après-golf libations. Double Deer opens
July 2020.
promontory.com
