Latest Accolade for Gene Bates-Designed Course Caps a Banner Year of Awards Garnered


November 23, 2009. LINKS Magazine Names Circling Raven Golf Club (ID) a Top 10 Casino Course in the U.S.

"Being included in a highly regarded, national magazine of LINKS Magazine's repute is very gratifying," said Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel CEO David Lasarte-Meeks. "Particularly so considering casino courses are widely understood to be among the best collectively worldwide given the resources dedicated to them."

To view the list in its entirety and see images of the courses click on: http://linksmagazine.com/golf_courses/features/best_casino_golf_courses/circling_raven_golf_club.aspx

Circling Raven has previously earned top casino course honors from Golf Digest (No. 4 nationallly) and Golfweek (Top 10).

The LINKS Magazine award is the latest of many garnered this year by Circling Raven, which has won more than 40 since its first full season in 2004. A selection of recent accolades underscores the excellence unbiased media critics have bestowed upon the golf club, which along with the casino resort and hotel are tribally owned and operated by the Coeur d'Alenes.

Northwest Section Merchandiser of the Year - PGA of America, 2009
Resort Merchandiser of the Year National Finalist - PGA of America, 2009
America's 100 Greatest Public Courses - Golf Digest magazine, 2009
Top 100 Courses You Can Play - GOLF Magazine, 2009
No. 1 in Idaho, America's Best Courses You Can Play - Golfweek Magazine, 2009
No. 2 nationally in the category "Overall Value", No. 5 in the category "Course Quality" in the Readers' Choice Awards - GolfWorld magazine, 2009

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.