Circling Raven Flies Early

by Vic Williams | posted March 4, 2010

While the West Coast spent the winter wallowing under a series of sodden storms, parts of the Pacific Northwest enjoyed the best weather in memory.

Welcome to the vagaries of El Niño, a weather phenomenon that sets golf course operators’ heads spinning and sends usually sun-splashed destinations into an alternate universe of soggy fairways and squeegee-needy greens.

But this spring Circling Raven, an incredible resort course way up on the Idaho Panhandle, can’t count itself in that camp. In fact, thanks to a warm and nearly-dry late winter, the Raven crew just announced the earliest open date in its six-year history — March 26. That’s enough to make an FG blogger want to jump in the SUV and drive to Worley, Idaho — or fly into nearby Spokane Airport — to be there when the gates open.

A perennial Top 5 course in FG’s annual Hack-it-ology rundown of the best courses in the West, Circling Raven is architect Gene Bates’ greatest achievement to date, rolling over incredible forest-meets-meadow real estate owned by the Coeur d’Alene tribe, who also operate a full-service hotel-casino next door to the golf course.

Director of Golf Tom Davidson, PGA, and Superintendent Brian Woster, GCSAA, have the brawny, pure golf course primed for players.

“We’ve had temperatures in the 50s and very little moisture since December,” said Davidson, 2009 PGA Northwest Section Merchandiser of the Year. “We’re excited to get going and hope golfers take advantage of our bargain shoulder-season rates.”

“Bargain” is the right word. Circling Raven is renowned for keeping its playing fees affordable, even in peak season, despite its national acclaim and 45 best-in-kind awards garnered since its first full season in 2004.

Shoulder-season green fees and package/stay-and-play rates are even more value-laden. From season open to May 13, and Oct. 4 to season close, players pay daily green fees of $65 on Monday-Thursday, and $75 on Friday-Sunday. Stay-and-play rates are even more astounding — golf and a room for two people $170. All rates include 18 holes of golf, cart, GPS, and use of 25-acre practice facility. Same-day replays — my favorite way to roll whenever I’m in the region, which ain’t nearly oftern enough — go for $45.

The Coeur d’Alene resort and Circling Raven — named for a spiritual leader whose fabled relationship to the raven helped guide him on his journeys, warn him of danger and show him where to find fish and game — are nestled on a reservation covering 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, old-growth forest and farmland at the western edge of the northern Rocky Mountains. The course meanders through 620 acres, only 100 acres of it maintained. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, moose and an occasional black bear. In fact, the opening was delayed due to damage on two greens by migrating elk.

That’s a minor setback. The rains have stayed away, The Raven is taking wing, and I couldn’t be happier.

www.circlingraven.com

Vic Williams is Executive Editor of Fairways + Greens, a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to golf, travel and lifestyle for the West and beyond. He has written thousands of stories on golf and will cover every facet of the game right here, primarily travel but also the major tours, equipment, personalities and more. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Check Out FG's U.S. Open Planner

Got tickets to this year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach? Pick up the March-April 2010 edition of Fairways + Greens for a four-page guide to planning the ultimate spectator’s trip to the Monterey Peninsula, including:

• Where to Watch the Action: On-site viewing tips for Pebble Beach, and where to sate your post-round hunger

• Playing Beyond Pebble: Unforgettable public golf before and after the tournament, including the all-new Bayonet and Black Horse courses and the famous courses on the peninsula itself.

• Staying Your Own Way: The most convenient hotels and resorts in the Monterey area, no matter what your budget

• Finding the Perfect Fare: From fresh seafood to authentic Mexican to great pub chow, on and off the beaten track

On newsstands in March!