Earns ‘Merchandiser of the Year’ Distinction
(Worley, Idaho) – Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel today announces that David Christenson, Circling Raven Golf Club Director of Golf, has again been honored by his peers in the Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA for superior performance in 2006, the third consecutive year Circling Raven have garnered this award.
Circling Raven, which enjoyed its third full season last year, was honored as "Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Facility." The Inland Empire encompasses the areas of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho; it held its annual awards program last night (Feb. 28).
The Merchandiser of the Year award in the Chapter goes to the club manager with the best overall merchandising program, as voted by club professionals. The specific components considered in the merchandising program include use of creative displays, shop sales, quality of products offered, high level of customer service, and so on.
After being awarded the chapter’s Resort Facility Merchandiser of the Year last February, Circling Raven went on to win the PGA of America’s Pacific Northwest Section Resort Facility Merchandiser of the Year Award.
The Pacific Northwest Section includes clubs in Oregon, Central Washington, Western Washington, Western Montana and Northern Idaho, including Bandon Dunes and other esteemed, world-class properties.
As a result of this third straight chapter distinction, Circling Raven will be eligible for the same Section award in the Fall and will have an opportunity to submit its materials for the PGA’s National Merchandiser of the Year Award in the same category.
"It is an extreme honor for Circling Raven Golf Club and Dave Christenson to again be awarded these honors by fellow PGA professionals," says David Lasarte, Chief Executive Officer of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Circling Raven Golf Club. "Any organization is only as good as its people and its programs, so we accept these honors with great humility and will continue to work to ensure we maintain the highest standards possible."
Designed by award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates, Circling Raven continues to accumulate best-of awards. Recent honors include being named to:
Golfweek Magazine’s "Best 21 Casino Courses in the U.S."
Zagat Survey’s "America’s Top Golf Courses"
Golf Digest’s "America’s Best Courses, No. 1 Public Access Course in Idaho"
Fairways + Greens Magazine’s "Best Resort Courses in the American West"
Golf Magazine’s "Top 100 You Can Play – Courses to Watch (for the next ranking)"
PGA of America Northwest Section Golf Shop "Merchandiser of the Year"
Golfweek Magazine’s "Best Resort Golf Courses in the U.S."
Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor
For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel, or to register for one of the above promotions, call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com .
About Circling Raven Golf Club
Owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the resort and golf club are nestled 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.
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.
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.
Golf Course
Yardages: Gold, 7,189; Blue, 6,578; White, 6,108; Red, 5,389; Green, 4,708
Total Acreage: 670 (including practice area, practice green and clubhouse)
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
Golf Carts: Equipped with a Global Positioning System
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703-891-3320
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com