b'Taking in the view from behind the green on the par-3 11th at Scarecrow are (left to right) Josh Truan, the resorts director of agronomy; David McLay Kidd, the architect of the two courses at Gamble Sands; and Jason Lusk, travel editor for Golfweek magazine.enhanced dining options, Gamble Sands Resortfeatures, and more drama in terms of what has truly become a premier golf destinationMother Nature gave us. For creating unique, worthy of an extended stay. character-filled golf holes, the terrain on Like many boutique golf destinations,Scarecrow is actually better. Recovery shots reaching the resort is part of the adventure.are going to be more difficult, the bunkers will While there are several travel options, mostbe tougher, and golfers can expect a course guests fly into Spokane and drive approximatelythats at least two shots tougher than the two hours to the resort. The resort is situatedoriginal course. And its really the terrain that about four hours east of Seattle and an hourdictated the added difficulty. But, like Gamble south of the Canadian border. However, as with other remote,Sands, there is plenty of width, and birdies can definitely be had golf-first destinations, the journey is integral to the experience.out there. The breathtaking setting and immersive atmosphere enhanceIn terms of a vision, or mandate, to create a second course its appeal, making the trip unforgettable. As Froling puts it,decidedly different and tougher than the original, Kidd had this With the addition of Scarecrow, the reward for making theto say: We simply wanted to make the best golf course possible journey is now even greater.with Scarecrow. I love the way that both courses just fall across It is Kidds talented lead associate, Nick Schaan, who canthe landscape. They are both pure fescue from tee to green. take the bulk of credit for Scarecrow. Kidd, who is busier thanWe had a winning formula with our original course so there ever, basically cut Schaan loose to create the 18 dramatic,was no need to re-write the script. We want there to be a lively lay-of-the-land holes for Scarecrow, while maintaining itsdiscussion on which course is better. I think well have achieved signature as a Kidd-designed layout.that with Scarecrow.Although cut from the same clothboth courses are firm- Unquestionably, spirited banterwhether its a heated and-fast, links-like designs that invite a creative, Old Worlddiscussion on which course reigns supreme, which course has ground gamethere are some notable differences. the better views, or what have youis all part of the fun. After They definitely share the same DNA, said Kidd during anall, golfers, as we all know, can be quite opinionated. It comes early press conference. However, the terrain on Scarecrow iswith the territory. more technical. There is more elevation change, more natural SEPT 2025|PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER17'