WORLEY, IDAHO – In 2003, the Gene Bates designed Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley Idaho, stormed onto the golf scene as one of the top Tribal course in the USA as well as receiving high accolades as one of the best courses in the Pacific Northwest . . . an honor they still maintain nearly 20 years later here in 2021.
However, to be the best at anything, one cannot sit on their laurels and not constantly strive for improvement. So in 2019, the Coeur d’Alene Tribal leaders commissioned Gene to create a long-term master plan for the entire facility.
See Link for original release – https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/gene-bates-develops-renovation-plan-for-circling-raven
The multi-phased master plan is a roadmap for the future, implementing key renovations and improvements so not to impact the course operations and revenues over time.
First up this Spring, is the re-positioning of the 1st and 10th tees to help with course flow and space. Then the creation of a 12,500 square foot practice putting green, just in time for the top female players that are coming out to the Symetra Tour event in August – The first step towards becoming a LPGA tour player.
In autumn of 2021, the club will work on a 25-acre practice facility, which includes a multi-faceted practice area, private and group teaching facilities, target greens, fairway and green side bunkers, and an extra putting green.
The plan in the following year/years includes adding a challenging “Twisted Earth” nine-hole course and then reworking the tees and bunkering on the original Circling Raven Course. “We have a solid plan in place and one that we believe will continue to make us competitive and regain a ‘Best-in-Class’ rankings,” said, David Christenson, Director of Golf.
Assisting Bates on the project will be golf course superintendent Brian Woster, who helped to build the original course in 2003 and oversaw the grow-in.