Award-Winning Robert Trent Jones Jr. Design in Central Idaho Sets May 23 as Opening Day
(TAMARACK, Idaho) – What do snow-covered fairways and frozen lakes have to do with lush course conditions and the season’s first tee time? At Osprey Meadows – recently named No. 1 in Golfweek’s annual state-by-state ranking of public-access courses – the answer is everything. The much-ballyhooed design by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. remains on schedule for a May 23 opening, no small feat considering much of the course is currently under five feet of snow. But thanks to Mother Nature and proactive maintenance efforts by the staff, Osprey Meadows is poised to emerge from hibernation in glorious fashion.
According to Director of Golf Tom Altmann, all 18 greens, the practice green and each tee box have been cleared of snow in order for sunlight and air movement to stimulate growth and healthy turf conditions. While the property remains under a blanket of snow, agronomic teams have utilized a groomer (generally used on the ski slopes) to clear off all but approximately a foot of snow. Black sand is then sprinkled over that to accelerate snow melt.
“Managing and maintaining a mountain course is unlike any other location in golf,” says Altmann. “While we would prefer Mother Nature melt the snow, in reality these steps are necessary with the short growing season to give the greens and tees ample time to recover from a long winter.”
Tamarack Resort also extended its relationship with Scott Masingill, who finished an impressive seventh in Champions Tour Q School in late 2007 and spends time honing his game on the resort’s excellent, secluded practice facility.
“I’m delighted to continue the relationship I’ve had with Osprey Meadows since Day 1,” Masingill says. “I’m very happy to be associated with a great facility filled with such quality people. We’re looking forward to a fantastic season at Osprey Meadows, after another year of maturation, as this course continues to blossom.”
Golfers familiar with Osprey Meadows, which boasts breathtaking views of the Payette River Mountains while winding through lush meadows and kissing the shores of Lake Cascade, will be treated to a slight tweak to the playing corridor in 2008 as landing areas on the par-4 15th hole have been enlarged. The enhancement will benefit high- and low-handicappers alike, though the formidable dogleg left retains a great deal of trouble.
In addition, 2008 will be the first season Osprey Meadows will be played with the highly sought-after Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification. The staff completed the six stages required to reach the lofty and demanding certification: Site Assessment and Environmental Plan; Water Conservation; Outreach and Education; Wildlife Habitat Management; Water Quality Management; and Chemical Use Reduction & Safety.
Along with Golfweek’s recent “Best of” recognition, Osprey Meadows has also been named the “Best New Public Course $75 and over” for 2006 by Golf Digest. Other accolades include:
* Best New Golf Course – Men’s Journal (December 2007)
* No. 2 Course in Idaho (top public-access course) – Golf Digest (May 2007)
* Top 10 New Courses You Can Play – GOLF Magazine (Jan. 2007)
* Top 50 Best New Courses – Golfweek (Oct. 2007)
* America’s Top Golf Courses – Zagat Survey 2007/2008 (March 2007)
* Region’s Best New Courses – Seattle Metropolitan (April 2007)
* Best of the Best Honoree – Robb Report (June 2007)
Off the golf course, Tamarack Resort offers fine dining, the luxurious Santé Spa, guided whitewater rafting, zipline tours and IMBA-designed biking trails. The winter comes alive with 42 ski runs, rolling kilometers of Nordic and snowshoeing, a 450-foot long and a 22-foot high superpipe – Hells Canyon.
For more information on Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort, please visit www.tamarackidaho.com or call 877-747-5676.
About Tamarack Resort
Tamarack Resort, the first all-season resort to open in the U.S. in more than two decades, has received national attention for its world-class mountain for skiing, hiking and mountain biking; Osprey Meadows, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., signature golf course named America’s Best New Course in its category for 2006 by Golf Digest; and beautiful Lake Cascade, suitable for swimming, sailing, fishing, sea kayaking, and boating. A key element of the Tamarack community is The Club at Tamarack for homeowners, their families and guests. Nestled in Idaho’s Payette River Mountains, Tamarack is a luxury boutique resort with a variety of lodging options all within walking distance of the four-season amenities.
Contact:
Rob Thomas, Buffalo Communications
330.696.1476, rthomas@billycaspergolf.com
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications
703.891.3320, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
