White Clouds Course Set to Debut this Summer Along with New Clubhouse, Symphony Pavilion and 18-Hole Putting Course
(SUN VALLEY, Idaho) – Sun Valley Resort – home to the award-winning Trail Creek Golf Course – today announces course and slope ratings for the soon-to-open White Clouds Golf Course have been determined. The first nine holes of the Donald Knott-designed White Clouds are scheduled to open later this summer.
The United States Golf Association determines the slope rating as a measurement of the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating, which tells scratch golfers how difficult the course will be. Slope does not relate specifically to strokes played at a course, while rating does. The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155. The slope rating for a course of average difficulty is 113.
Like course rating, slope rating is done for each set of tees on a course, and a course may have a separate slope rating for certain tees for women. The course ratings and slope for the first nine holes of the White Clouds Course are:
Men
Rating – Slope
68.4 – 128 (for 18 holes, divide by half for 9 holes)
70.0 – 132
74.4 – 138
76.6 – 143
Women
Rating – Slope
71.0 – 121 (for 18 holes, divide by half for 9 holes)
73.4 – 131
77.6 – 140
80.6 – 146
Early returns on the White Clouds Course show that it will be a stern test of golf, but the 360-degree views of the WoodRiver Valley may prove to be just as formidable as the design – temporarily taking the challenge of the course off of golfers’ minds.
“The White Clouds Course offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valley below, and all the golf any player could ask for,” says General Manager Wallace Huffman. “We’re extremely excited about this addition to Sun Valley Resort, as well as all the other amenities we’ll be unveiling.”
In addition to the White Clouds Course – referred to as an “Alpine links” design by Knott, Sun Valley also is introducing a state-of-the-art clubhouse, which doubles as a Nordic center in the winter, expanded practice facility, 18-hole putting course called Sawtooths and the Sun Valley Music Pavilion that will cater to the area’s thriving arts scene.
The existing Trail Creek Course – named after the creek that traverses the course seven times – is a parkland-style design with narrow fairways bordered by beautiful Cottonwood trees. Originally opened in 1937, the course was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Knott, his lead architect, in 1978-79.
For more information about Sun Valley Resort call 800-894-9941 or visit www.sunvalley.com.
About Sun Valley Resort
There can only be one original ski resort and since 1936 Sun Valley has held that distinction. Born out of a desire to bring the mystique of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon without peer on this continent or any other.
America’s first destination resort, where the world’s first chairlift was engineered, Sun Valley was built to enchant the nobility and celebrity of the day. Today the patina of old world charm blends beautifully with everything modern, easily accessible with non-stop daily air service.
Originated in 1936 by Union Pacific Railroad, Sun Valley is located in the Northern Rockies region of south central Idahoand is open year-round with four distinctly beautiful seasons. There are more outdoor recreations here than any other destination resort in the U.S.
Sun Valley Resort is privately owned by the R. Earl Holding family, owners of Sinclair Oil Corporation. Sister properties include Snowbasin Ski Resort, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel and Towers, all SLC, UT., Westgate Hotel,San Diego, CA, Little America Flagstaff, AZ, Little America, WY, and Little America, Cheyenne, WY.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, Buffalo Communications, 703.891.3320, dshepherd@buffalocommunications.com
Rob Thomas, Buffalo Communications, 330-696-1476, rthomas@buffalocommunications.com
