WORLEY, Idaho -- Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort announces that its Circling Raven Golf Club has been honored as Top Resort Merchandiser of the Year by its peers in the Pacific Nortwhest Section, which includes Oregon, Central Washington, Western Washington, Western Montana and Northern Idaho.
This is particularly impressive given some of the older, more established golf resorts in the section, including Bandon Dunes, Sunriver and Coeur d’Alene Resort, which, like Circling Raven, is a member of the Idaho Golf Trail’s Northern Loop.
The Resort Merchandiser of the Year award 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 to be awarded this honor 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.”
Consumers are demonstrating support for Circling Raven’s merchandise efforts judging by merchandise sales this year, which exceeded projections by 30 percent.
“My wife, Jennifer Christenson, has done a tremendous job bringing new and exciting products in to the shop and creating interesting displays,” says Director of Golf Christenson. “Customers consistently comment on how they love the look and feel of the golf shop and the way it is merchandised.”
This is the latest in a slew of accolades bestowed in recent months upon Circling Raven, designed by golf course architect Gene Bates. It was named the PGA’s Inland Empire Chapter Mercahndiser of the Year in 2004 which resulted in the golf club’s automatic entry into the PGA’s national “Merchandiser of the Year.”
It’s not just in the golf shop where Circling Raven excels. It has earned “best-of” accolades from Golf, Golf Digest, Golfweek and ZAGAT Survey since opening. This is Circling Raven's second full season.
For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, visit www.golfcirclingraven.net, or call 1-800-523-2464.
About Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel:
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), top sporting and entertainment events, fine dining, plush lodging and a spectacular array of natural resources 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.
L93 Bent Grass Greens
Bluegrass tees, fairways and rough
Golf Carts: Equipped with a Global Positioning System
Greens Fees: Peak season fees are $69 Mon-Thurs, $79 Fri-Sun includes cart and GPS.
For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club, e-mail Director of Golf Dave Christenson at dchristenson@cdacasino.com or call 1-800-523-2464
