WORLEY, Idaho -- Circling Raven Golf Club – the sparkling amenity of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel in the scenic Idaho Panhandle – today announces the golf club posted a very strong revenue performance in June and is ahead in revenue categories Year-To-Date.
Circling Raven saw its rounds increase by 15 percent, merchandise sales 26 percent and overall income 20 percent over June 2005 numbers.
Year-to-Date the acclaimed golf club is six percent ahead of 2005 YTD (April through June) rounds played, 20 percent above merchandise sales and 15 percent above 2005 overall income for the same period.
“Circling Raven got off to a slow start with a wet spring, but we’re hitting our stride and things are on track to exceed our projections for the third straight year,” says Circling Raven Director of Golf David Christenson.
It is not surprising that merchandise sales continue to lead the way at Circling Raven. Director of Golf Dave Christenson was named 2005 Top Resort Merchandiser of the Year by his peers in the PGA of America Pacific Northwest Section, which includes Oregon, Central Washington, Western Washington, Western Montana and Northern Idaho.
This is particularly impressive given some of the more established golf resorts in the section include Bandon Dunes, Sunriver and Coeur d’Alene Resort, home of the famous floating green.
Like Circling Raven, Coeur d’Alene Resort Course is a member of the Idaho Golf Trail’s Northern Loop. The two renowned courses are located 25 minutes apart and combine to form arguably one of the best one-two public access tandems in the world.
“Circling Raven’s performance YTD combined with a more muscular, refined operating budget this year has us excited about continuing to offer customers a great value and experience,” Christenson says.
Contributing to Circling Raven’s success and sustained momentum is the price point and value it affords players. Its peak playing fee in 2006 is $85 with GPS-equipped cart and full privileges at its top-line practice facility.
Circling Raven was designed by award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates and has garnered best-of accolades from Golf, Golfweek and Golf Digest magazines, as well as Zagat Survey.
For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, visit www.circlingraven.com, 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.
In keeping with the Coeur d’Alene tribe’s reverence for its land on which Circling Raven rests, the golf club has pursued and been awarded a place in Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary System. This means it has taken numerous rigorous steps to ensure that it is environmentally friendly and fosters wildlife habitat.
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.
The course namesake is revered in Coeur d’Alene tribal lore. 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.
Club Specifics
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
CONTACT:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703-891-3320, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
