(Worley, Idaho) – Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort today announces that its Circling Raven Golf Club has been honored by its peers in the Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA – which encompasses the areas of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho – in two categories for its superior performance in 2004.
Circling Raven, which enjoyed its first full season last year, was honored as “Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Facility” and Director of Golf Dave Christenson garnered the Bill Strausbaugh Award for “untiring efforts and unselfish service to aid clubs and fellow PGA members.”
The Merchandiser of the Year award in the Chapter goes to the club with the best overall merchandising program, as voted by club professionals. The specific components considered in the merchandising program include use of creative displays, shop sales, quality of products offered, high level of customer service, and so on.
“It is gratifying for Circling Raven Golf Club and Dave Christenson to be awarded these honors by PGA professionals,” says David Matheson, Chief Executive Officer of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Circling Raven Golf Club. “Any organization is only as good as its people and its programs, so we accept these honors with great humility and will continue to work to ensure we maintain the highest standards possible.”
This is the latest in a slew of accolades bestowed in recent months upon Circling Raven, designed by golf course architect Gene Bates and a member of the spectacular, new Idaho Golf Trail. It was rated a Best New Upscale Public course by Golf Digest in its America’s Best New Courses rankings (January 2005).
GOLF Magazine previously named it one of the best new public courses to open in 2004.
For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, visit www.cdacasino.com, or call 1-800-523-2464.
About Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort
Convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the resort and golf club are owned and operated by the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe on a reservation covering 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, old-growth forest and farmland. The resort spans the western edge of the northern Rocky Mountains.
Golf, gaming (video gaming machines, off-track betting, bingo), brand-name entertainment, fine dining, plush lodging and a spectacular array of natural resources – including majestic snow-capped mountain views – define the resort.
Circling Raven was created amid a unique blend of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. At 7,189 yards, the par 72 championship layout meanders through 620 acres, only 100 representing cultivated ground. 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.
The player’s experience is that of a links-style course. On the back nine, the only hole a golfer can see is the hole he or she is playing. Wetlands impact play on 13 holes, natural grasses complement the wetlands on 16 holes and a mix of Ponderosa Pines, Aspens, Cottonwoods and Birch blend into the scenery throughout. The blue grass fairways and bent grass greens are closely manicured, as would be expected at a premier resort golf course.
The player’s greatest challenges are “Tees and Threes,” meaning accurate driving and careful management of the four par 3s, all measuring over 200 yards from the back tees. White sand, brought in from Emmet, Idaho, fills 60 bunkers.
Circling Raven has been awarded a place in Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary System.
The course namesake is revered in Coeur d’Alene tribal lore. Circling Raven was an 18th century headman, or chief, whose vision foretold the coming of the “black robes” and the dramatic change they would bring to the tribe. When Fr. Pierre DeSmet, the famed Jesuit missionary, arrived in the region in 1842, Circling Raven’s vision had already been shared with several generations of tribal members. As a result, the tribe embraced Catholicism and in short time built the Old Mission Church at Cataldo. Completed in 1852, it remains the oldest standing building in Idaho.
Tribal history also tells us that Circling Raven was a spiritually powerful leader, his name coming from his close relationship to the raven, who helped guide him on his journeys, warn him of danger and show him where to find fish and game.
Golf Specifics
Yardages: Gold, 7,189; Blue, 6,578; White, 6,108; Red, 5,389; Green, 4,708
Total Acreage: 670 (including practice area, practice green and clubhouse)
Amenities: The clubhouse is 6,500 square feet, including the Twisted Earth Grill and full service bar. Both locker rooms include showers and lockers. The practice facility covers 25 acres; separated into areas for wedges, sand play and all clubs in the bag. The resort adjacent to the course includes 202 hotel rooms, casino, events center, buffet, and restaurant, off track betting and conference/convention facilities.
Greens: L93 Bent Grass
Turf: Bluegrass tees, fairways and rough
Golf Carts: Equipped with a Global Positioning System
2005 Greens Fees: Peak season fees: $69 Mon-Thurs, $79 Fri-Sun and include golf carts.
