Golf Digest Magazine Ranks Circling Raven No. 17 Nationwide


August 24, 2009. With a savvy nod toward the current economic times - which are influencing how often golfers play, where and at what price - Golf Digest magazine has re-ranked its most recent America's 100 Greatest Public Courses biennial list (2009-10). Factoring in green fee prices at each member of the esteemed list, the nation's best-value options at the Top 100 courses is the effective result (August 2009 issue).

Circling Raven ranks No. 17 in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses Re-Ranked By Price" list, thanks to peak green fees at $95 with GPS mounted cart and unlimited range balls at the 25-acre practice facility. The green fee drops even further for weekday and shoulder-season play which begins September 28 (Mon-Thurs $50).

The Gene Bates designed course - which is located an easy, scenic drive from Spokane Airport (GEG) - is ranked No. 61 on Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses 2009-2010."

Golf Digest's biennial rankings are determined by the magazine's course rating panelists, a group of several hundred low-handicap golfers who rate many thousand U.S. courses on a 10-point scale in various criteria.

"Re-ranking the top 100 public courses by price is an astute news decision by Golf Digest," said Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel CEO David Lasarte-Meeks. "An objectively determined tool like this helps golfers enhance their experience and return on investment while spending less for more satisfaction."

Circling Raven is listed on the elite list along with other heavyweight courses including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pacific Dunes, Whistling Straits, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and Bethpage (Black Course).

Also on the list is Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course (No. 73 on the re-ranked list, No. 75 on Golf Digest's 2009-10 top 100 U.S. public courses list), which is a beautiful 30-minute drive from Circling Raven. Both courses are on the Idaho Golf Trail's Northern Loop and they offer value-laden stay-and-play packages, both individually and together.

This is the latest award garnered by Circling Raven, which has accumulated 40 since its first full season (2004). Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven include:

Resort Merchandiser of the Year finalist nationally - PGA of America 2009
Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2008-09 - GOLF Magazine
Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4) - Golf Digest
No. 1 in Idaho, America's Best Courses You Can Play - Golfweek Magazine 2009
Top U.S. Resort Courses - Golfweek Magazine 2008
America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in America - Native American Casino Magazine 2008
Top 36 Resort Courses in the West - Fairways + Greens Magazine 2008
Resort Merchandiser of the Year - PGA of America Northwest Section 2008
Resort Merchandiser of the Year - Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 2008
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 call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com.

About Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort & Hotel

Owned and operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the casino 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 Stensgar Pavilion adjacent to the course is a full service event venue, used for golf, business, wedding and other events. The casino resort hotel adjacent to the course includes 202 rooms, casino, restaurants, and other amenities.

The Coeur d'Alene Casino offers 1,800 machines for play in smoking and non-smoking areas, off-track betting for horse and dog races, high-stakes bingo, entertainment and many other amenities. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week every day of the year. The resort is regularly voted the most popular casino in the Inland Northwest.