Coeur d'Alene

Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

The Northwest’s Great Playground

Situated along beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene in Northern Idaho, The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort offers year-round recreational activities, award-winning golf and luxurious accommodations. The inspiring surroundings of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the pristine Bitterroot Mountains as well as the many restaurants and shops of downtown Coeur d’Alene provide an active yet rejuvenating getaway.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort, host hotel for the Ironman Coeur d’Alene Triathlon each June, www.ironmancda.com, showcases 338 rooms with lake or mountain views. The Resort’s contemporary design with multiple fireplaces and ultra comfortable Italian furnishings are perfect for relaxing summer evenings or winter holiday celebrations. Up to eleven restaurants, including the AAA 5-star rated Beverly’s, are available seasonally to offer almost any dining experience imaginable. The warm colors and feel are complimented with brilliant signature red geraniums to create the perfect experience of being home away from home.

A short ride in a custom Honduran Mahogany water taxi shuttles guests to the world-renown Coeur d’Alene golf course. The course, a par 71, Scott Miller design, measures between 4,448 and 6,803 yards. There are five memorable par 3’s and a few reachable but testing par 4’s. The combination of long and short holes ensures the course is challenging yet enjoyable for all levels of players. The course is also an aesthetic masterpiece with lake views on each hole and contours to create a feeling of privacy and seclusion for each group.

The course seems to specialize in signature holes and has several holes that would be signature holes on most other courses. The most famous hole, however, is the par 3, 14th hole which features the world’s only movable island green. Computers adjust the island each day to ensure distances between 65 and 210 yards depending upon the tees played. Complimenting the engineering wonder is the view from the tee as golfers stare out to the floating green which appears tiny against the vast backdrop of Lake Coeur d’Alene and distant rolling foothills. Despite the intimidating appearance, 15,000 sq. ft. of floating real estate await each golfer as they are shuttled to the green in a custom electric ferry, “Putter.”

The entire playing surface from tee to green is unrivaled anywhere and nothing is present to take away from the beauty of the course. For example, trash receptacles and ball washers are located in the custom carts rather than on the course. Even the bunker rakes and restrooms are cleverly hidden from view. To ensure the playing surface resembles a fine lush carpet, carts are restricted to the path and forecaddies are brilliantly used to assist golfers between shots. Forecaddies provide distances, assist with club selection, read greens and maintain the 10 minute gap between groups to ensure golfers enjoy themselves and still complete the round at a comfortable pace of play.

The Resort offers many reasonably priced golf packages coinciding with special events throughout the season. Events such as the Scotch Open on opening day in April (complete with bagpipes and of course, scotch), Cinco de May Day Spring Fiesta in May and Golftoberfest in October are evidence that the Resort enjoys a good celebration. Many of the packages include accommodations, golf, food and delectable refreshments throughout the course.

The Resort and surrounding areas have much more than golf to offer. The Spa Coeur d’Alene is a 30,000 sq. ft. oasis specializing in hydrotherapies and is always ready to rejuvenate guests with a full menu of both men’s and women’s treatments. The Resort Plaza Shops and the shops of downtown Coeur d’Alene, just outside the Resort entrance, offer many unique gift and specialty shops excellent for serious shoppers or casual browsers. Pristine Lake Coeur d’Alene, with 135 miles of shoreline, provides plentiful opportunities for swimming, parasailing, kayaking, sailing, charter fishing, scenic sea plane rides, boat rentals and sunset dinner cruises. Over 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space ensures that event participants have ample space to work, socialize or just have fun. Charter party boats can also create special events on the water.

The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort is also a wonderful retreat in the winter season. Guests can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiling, nearby skiing and the Holiday Light Show, the largest on-the-water light and laser show in the country complete with over 1 million lights throughout the town.

What I liked about The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort – From the moment one approaches the golf course, it is easy to see that this is a special place. The immaculate course conditions and looming island green are unmistakably present. The expansive pro shop, which comes complete with sweeping views of the course and friendly staff, has full lines of both men’s and women’s equipment and apparel. Perhaps more striking than the aesthetics at this rare course is the feeling that the designers, staff and professionals care about you, about your golf experience and about the environment. Certainly the course is fun to play but my memories will be of the small details such as the smiles of the pro shop staff, the professional yet familiar demeanor of my forecaddie and the sensations of the complementary massage on the practice tee. The Coeur d’Alene Golf and Spa Resort is a must experience for any golfer.

To escape the summer heat in the South or just to experience the Northwest’s great playground, fly into Spokane International Airport (GEG) and it’s an easy 30 minute drive to the Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort.

I would like to thank Bob Nuttelman, Director of Golf and Andy Mackimmie, Head Golf Professional for their time and hospitality during my visit as well as Regina Wong at Murphy O'Brien Public Relations.

Chris

Check out the Coeur d’Alene Resort at www.cdaresort.com

The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort
115 S. 2nd St.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

1-800-688-5253 or 208-765-4000

Directions

Photos by Quicksilver Studios, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. www.quicksilverphotography.com