Coeur d'Alene Resort & Circling Raven or Central Oregon??

[davis8131]

3 buddies and myself are going to take a golf trip this year, We are goin for a long weekend and are thinking of either Northern Idaho for CDA Resort (Floating Green) and Circling Raven, or heading to Central Oregon and playing some of the tracks out that way. I've been to Central Oregon before and played Widgi Creek, Lost Tracks and Tetherow, What are the other top courses in the area?

[TheGeekGolfer]

If you head up to CDA area, you should also check out Palouse Ridge at WSU in Pullman. I've heard rave reviews on the course.

[oregongolf]

Lol, easy choice. Central Oregon.

The best golf in the CDA/Spokane area is private.

Agreed though, palouse ridge is one of the best courses on the east side of the state (it's easily in my top 5 in Washington)

[davis8131]

[quote name='oregongolf' timestamp='1400608116' post='9332837']
Lol, easy choice. Central Oregon.

The best golf in the CDA/Spokane area is private.

Agreed though, palouse ridge is one of the best courses on the east side of the state (it's easily in my top 5 in Washington)
[/quote]

What would be your top 3 courses to play in Central Oregon?
We are thinkin to play 36 holes on a Friday then 18 on Saturday to try and save some money due to courses usually having higher rates on weekends.

[teckneeklyperfect]

I would sugest Pronghorn, Lost Tracks, and Aspen Lakes. Or Sunriver for your 36 bag day , they have multiple courses . Crosswater and Meadows would be my choice at Sunriver.

[edryer3]

Crosswater is a must, Pronghorn, Brasada Ranch, Tetherow (if you want to play that again) Black Butte, Juniper, Aspen Lakes, Eagle Crest, there are so many choices you can't go wrong.

[Edaw68]

(Shameless plug of home course) Yes Palouse Ridge is awesome. Not quite as "cushy" an experience as the CDA resort course (it is a college course, not a resort course) but the course design is better and more fun than the other two in my opinion. Well worth the trip.

[oregongolf]

[quote name='davis8131' timestamp='1400615808' post='9333763']
[quote name='oregongolf' timestamp='1400608116' post='9332837']
Lol, easy choice. Central Oregon.

The best golf in the CDA/Spokane area is private.

Agreed though, palouse ridge is one of the best courses on the east side of the state (it's easily in my top 5 in Washington)
[/quote]

What would be your top 3 courses to play in Central Oregon?
We are thinkin to play 36 holes on a Friday then 18 on Saturday to try and save some money due to courses usually having higher rates on weekends.
[/quote]

I'm not sure what you're willing to spend. Is this a quality of golf or quantity of golf trip? Central Oregon will be pretty expensive if you wanna play the best in the area.

Some people have already mentioned Tetherow, Brasada, Pronghorn, and Crosswater. Definitely different types of golf between the four. Pronghorn Fazio is better than the Nicklaus course, but it is private. If you book a stay&play with Tetherow, they can probably sneak you onto Fazio as well. Those are the best choices in the area.

Juniper and Black Butte (Glaze Meadow) are very good as well and will be less expensive.

I personally wouldn't go to to Bend to play anything less than courses mentioned above. I don't think Widgi, Lost Tracks, Rivers Edge, etc are much worth traveling to. All nice courses, but nothing I would plan a trip around.

[ruascott]

CDA is a very cushy golf experience. From hitting balls on the practice tee, into the lake, to the flawless conditioning, the forecaddie, and beautiful setting, to the very unique floating green...I loved going there. But it's not cheap.

[cvvorst]

I've only played Coeur d'Alene Resort, so take this with a grain of salt. But, the course was the best kept course I have ever been to. It wasn't my favorite though (that distinction goes to Prairie Club here in Nebraska) But it was a beautiful course that is very enjoyable.

At the same time, you are paying for the caddy service and what I assume is a very very large group of green keepers. If you end up having the chance, I recommend playing it. But I don't know if I would plan a trip around it, as I am sure there are a lot of courses in that area that are trip worthy.

Edit: Like ruascott says, it is not cheap. I think after tip it would be around $250 or $300 per round, but I have not been there for over 10 years, so my numbers could be off.

[ryu123]

In Bend I've played both Pronghorn courses, Juniper, Aspen Lakes and Tetherow.

In and around Coeur d'Alene I've played the CDA Resort course, Circling Raven (Worley ID), the Links at Post Falls, and Indian Canyon (Spokane).

Not an easy choice, but primarily because of the Resort course and the nearby Circling Raven, I would go to Coeur d'Alene. The par 3 floating green is a cool hole. (And if you can access the private Black Rock and Rock Creek clubs, which I haven't played, then you've got four solid rounds.)

As for the cost of the CDA Resort course, this month for about $500 a player can get two rounds of golf and one night's stay at the hotel. (The forecaddie cost is between $20 - $50.)

[Cysmic]

Does anyone know, is the Idaho Club up in Sandpoint still going?

[DeNinny]

Although central Oregon has more courses at high quality, I put Circling Raven on equal level as Pronghorn. Also if on a bugdet Spokane has some very nice muni courses. But if you want more options, CO is the way to go.

[zipit]

Circling Raven is worth the trip along with a round at CDA resort...

[Tylanthus]

Guys trip? Go to Bend.

Taking your wife to golf a couple times, get pampered, hit the spa... that's what CDA is for.

[Hey_Porter]

Getting active in the forum so bumping old threads, but for OP's benefit if he hasn't traveled yet, and for anyone else before you book Tetherow call and ASK ABOUT THEIR GREENS. We got a little hoodwinked a couple weeks ago by booking a tee time, only to have them tell us when we got there that they had a problem with their chemicals over the winter, and nearly every one of their greens were having MAJOR issues with dead spots. Sounded like most of them have to be replaced. We played it, but most of the greens were auto two putts. VERY disappointing.

As to OPs question, having played a bunch of the central Oregon courses and all of the Idaho courses, I'd go with the CDA trip, with the inclusion of Palouse Ridge. The CDA Resort is in third place out of those courses, and is still an excellent golf course and a great experience. Hard to beat hitting onto that island green, and the course itself is pristine.

[secondary]

[quote name='Cysmic' timestamp='1401378572' post='9389325']
Does anyone know, is the Idaho Club up in Sandpoint still going?
[/quote]

It sold in July but as of now it isn't open to public play. Mum's the word on the plan for next year but the locals (me) are sure hoping that they open back up to the public next season. It looks great right now by the way.

[Cysmic]

Thanks for the update Secondary. I've already started the process of planning next year's guys trip and the Coeur D'Alene area is one of the possible destinations. Last time we were considering Coeur D'Alene, the Idaho Club was one of the courses we had targeted, so I appreciate your information.

[Reidman]

Will be in the CDA area Sept 6-13. Any chance we have Black Rock or Rock Creek members on the site & need someone to fill their foursome that week? We are staying just down the street from those 2 courses. Need a hookup!!!

[Reidman]

Well... no hookup, but did get to play CDA and Circling Raven. Paid $125 for CDA at twilight, and $80 for CR. Enjoyed both alot, but CR definitely the better of the two.

CR is a beast from the tips....and today was windy & greens were firm & running 11-12. I have never played greens like that...took a few holes to get adjusted. You have to land approach shots on the front of the green for middle & back pins...front pins short of the green. I use a 60 degree around the greens & never seen such runout after landing.

CDA much easier from the tips. First six holes are kind of quirky...then it evens out a bit. Famous 14th played 185..and the tee box is right next to the restaurant patio, with everyone watching!! But I did find the green first try & got my certificate. And no, didn't make the putt.

Being from Texas...this is an amazing place in September. You WRXers that live locally sure are lucky in the summer months.