Circling Raven Golf Club just one of world-class amenities of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
Located in Worley, Idaho and built on the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s land, Circling Raven Golf Club is home to the resort’s acclaimed golf course. It sits on 620 varied acres of wetlands, forest and Palouse grasses. By all accounts, the course is one of course architect Gene Bates’ finest creations (he also designed Salish Cliffs in Washington, Southwood in Tallahassee, and Westfields in Virginia, among others).
The front nine plays through a meadow-style landscape, peaking on the difficult No. 9 hole. The meadows give way to expansive forest on the back nine, with each hole feeling like its own theater. The views on the course are varied, showcasing the entirety of the land. The course feels a small part of a much bigger landscape, providing a true sense of scale. Several of the tee shots play down into a larger landing area, giving the golfer plenty of opportunity to take in all of what’s in front of them.
While the course, which tips out at 7,189 yards, is a looker, it poses plenty of questions to the player. The better golfer must make clear decisions and execute them aggressively if they wish to score on this 74.0-Rating, 144-Slope course. Players on the Epson “Road to the LPGA” Tour found that out last year in the Circling Raven Championship presented by KXLY News 4 Now. The professional women golfers raved about its condition and ingenious layout.
“Circling Raven is named for one of our tribe’s most important chiefs who guided us through our most difficult times,” said Laura Penney, CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. “Our homelands mean everything to the tribe, so Circling Raven being so well regarded is testament that we’re nurturing it respectfully and are honoring our ancestors as well.”
The Circling Raven pro shop is a thing of legend, with so many golfers commenting how great it is as a perfect complement to the course. If you’re looking for swag as a souvenir of your Circling Raven adventure, the shop offers one of the more extensive selections of apparel and all sorts of other goodies you’ll find anywhere in the golf world. It has twice been named Merchandiser of the Year by the PGA of America in the Resort category.
The Casino Resort began as a 20,000-square-foot bingo space, expanding first in 1996 before further casino-floor growth that now comes in at 100,000 square feet of gaming space, including nearly 1,200 video gaming machines. There are entertainment venues, retail areas and six restaurants.
Back in 2011, the resort expanded its accommodations dramatically, too, and the property now sports two hotels on property: the Mountain Lodge, which have a more Idaho-rustic feel, and the Spa Tower, which has an elegant motif. As the name suggests, the Spa Tower is connected to the Spa Ssakwa’q’n, a 15,000-square-foot space that is a beacon for relaxation.
The resort has risen to first-class heights over the years. The food-and-beverage operation is now top-notch. Red Tail Bar & Grill, where the menu and drinks exceed your average eatery, is a perfect spot to relax after golf while watching sports on the big-screen TVs. And the high-end dining option — Chinook Steak, Seafood and Pasta — has a menu crafted with the delectable taste of local products, including wild Nisqually salmon, prime beef, and other chef-selected ingredients
The Spa Tower is a mix of modern hotel-room architecture and stylish decor. The rooms have everything a golf traveler needs, including luxury beds, well-designed bathrooms, plenty of storage, comfortable TV seating and a desk area (just in case you need to get a little work done on vacation). Between the Spa Tower and the food-and-beverage offerings, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel has everything a golfer needs to entice him, her or a group to stay multiple nights for a complete golf-getaway experience.
It’s hard to imagine the Coeur d’Alene Tribe envisioned their resort becoming what it has more than a quarter-century into its life. The resort has developed into one of the best in the region, and it is continually attracting new visitors who are getting a taste of what the amazing Coeur d’Alene area has to offer. It’s exactly what a traveling golfer needs, and it keeps getting better.
For more information about Circling Raven and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, including stay-and-play packages, frequent player Advantage Cards, and instructional programs and other events, visit cdacasino.com or call 800-523-2464.
