Love Golf Design Plan Includes Adding and Updating Existing Bunkers with Stacked Sod Edges
(EMIGRANT, Mont.) – Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, one of the nation’s premier upscale guest ranches since 1929, will embark on a project to enhance the bunkers on its Rising Sun Golf Course.
Spearheaded by Davis Love III’s Love Golf Design, the project will include the removal of 10 bunkers, while adding 30 more. The existing bunkers will be modified and updated for improved drainage and edging using the Eco Bunker system, which will make them one of the most distinguishable aspects of the golf course.
Used primarily overseas at notable layouts such as Kingsbarns, Open Championship site Royal St. George’s and 2023 Ryder Cup host Marco Simone, the Eco Bunker system incorporates stacked sod bunker edges using recycled artificial grass. Rising Sun will also implement Sandtrapper liner in the basins to swiftly drain and minimize washouts during inclement weather. Once completed, the bunkers will be refilled with the same sand currently in the existing bunkers.
Heritage Links will begin working on the bunker enhancement project in mid-March, with completion set for later this summer. Once completed, Rising Sun will join an illustrious roster of U.S. golf courses using the Eco Bunker system that includes The Medalist in Florida, Secession Golf Club in South Carolina and TPC Sugarloaf in Georgia.
“The bunker renovation is a major investment back into the Rising Sun Golf Course and emphasizes our desire to maintain a world-class golf course for our ranch guests,” says Mike Petersen, Rising Sun general manager and superintendent. “The new bunkers will enhance the golf experience at Rising Sun, both aesthetically and from a playability standpoint.”
Designed by Johnny Miller and exclusive for guests of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Rising Sun offers championship golf set against the jawdropping Big Sky scenery. Located in the shadows of Emigrant Peak and the Absaroka Mountain Range, the par-72, links-style layout incorporates the natural rolling hills and grasses found in Paradise Valley. Through their conservation efforts, Rising Sun is the first golf course in Montana to become a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.
For more information on Rising Sun Golf Course: www.mountainsky.com/activities/golf
About Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch first opened as a dude ranch in 1929 in Paradise Valley, MT. After visiting the ranch for many years as a guest, Arthur M. Blank purchased Mountain Sky in 2001 making it the first of four Montana properties now included in the AMB West portfolio of properties.
Mountain Sky encompasses 10,767 acres and provides a curated guest ranch experience with all-inclusive packages for five and seven-night stays. Featuring a renowned horse program including daily morning and evening rides, weekly meal rides, and opportunities to experience cattle work and team penning, Mountain Sky provides an authentic Western experience in a stunning setting. Guests also enjoy gourmet cuisine, a world-class wellness center and pool, a popular kid’s program, archery, clay shooting, guided hiking, wagon rides, fly fishing and much more. Learn more at www.mountainsky.com
About AMB West
AMB West Holding Company, also referred to as AMB West, is comprised of Arthur Blank’s guest and working ranches in Paradise Valley, Montana. The AMB West portfolio of businesses includes Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and The Ranch at Dome Mountain. AMB West melds the missions of guest ranching, philanthropy, non-profit convening, working ranch lands and conservation to achieve best in class hospitality and stewardship practices. AMB West associates work alongside The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation helping to strengthen communities across the state of Montana. Learn more at www.ambwest.com
