Sun Valley Golf Course facts for kids
| Club information | |
|---|---|
 Location in the United States
Location in Idaho
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| Coordinates | 43°42′22″N 114°20′49″W / 43.706°N 114.347°W |
| Location | Sun Valley Road Sun Valley, Idaho |
| Established | 1937, 88 years ago |
| Type | Resort / Public |
| Owned by | Sun Valley Resort |
| Operated by | Sun Valley Resort |
| Total holes | 45 |
| Trail Creek Course | |
| Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1980 renovation) |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,968 yd (6,372 m) |
| Course rating | 72.9 |
| Slope rating | 138 |
| White Clouds Course | |
| Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Jr. |
| Par | 36 (9 holes) |
| Length | 3,605 yd (3,296 m) |
| Course rating | 37.5 (75.0 for 18 holes) |
| Slope rating | 145 |
| Elkhorn Golf Club | |
| Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Sr. & Robert Trent Jones Jr. |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,214 yd (6,596 m) |
| Course rating | 72.7 |
| Slope rating | 139 |
| Course record | 61 – Doyle Corbett (1998) |
The Sun Valley Golf Course is a super fun place to play golf! It's located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Sun Valley, Idaho. This big golf complex has three different courses with a total of 45 holes. You can play on the Trail Creek, White Clouds, or Elkhorn Golf Club courses.
Contents
Welcome to Sun Valley Golf Course!
Sun Valley Golf Course is a popular spot for golf lovers. It's part of the Sun Valley Resort, which is a famous place for vacations. The courses are high up, about 6,000 feet (1,830 m) above sea level. This means you get amazing views while you play!
The first golf course here opened way back in 1937. Over the years, it has grown and changed to become the awesome place it is today. It's a great spot for both experienced golfers and those just starting out.
Explore the Golf Courses
Sun Valley offers three unique golf courses. Each one has its own special features and challenges. Let's take a closer look at what makes each course special.
Trail Creek Course
Trail Creek is the main 18-hole course at Sun Valley. It's called "Trail Creek" because it runs along a stream that flows into the Big Wood River. This course first opened in 1937 with nine holes. Later, in the early 1960s, it was made bigger to have 18 holes.
In 1980, a famous golf course designer named Robert Trent Jones Jr. gave the course a new look. It's a par-72 course, which means a good golfer should finish it in 72 strokes. It's about 6,968 yd (6,372 m) long from the longest tees. Near this course, you'll find the Sun Valley Club. This is a big building for golfers with a huge practice area and even a fun 18-hole putting course.
Did you know there's a memorial for the famous writer Ernest Hemingway near the eighth hole? It's a quiet spot to remember him.
White Clouds Course
The White Clouds Course is the newest addition, opening in 2008. It has nine holes and is known for its incredible views. You can see the White Cloud Mountains from here, which is how the course got its name!
This course is quite challenging because it has big changes in height. It's about 3,605 yards (3,296 m) long. Robert Trent Jones Jr. also designed this course. It's a favorite for golfers who love a good challenge and amazing scenery.
Elkhorn Golf Club
Elkhorn Golf Club is a bit south of the other two courses. It first opened in 1975. For a while, it was a private club, but the Sun Valley Resort bought it in 2011.
This course is special because two famous designers worked on it: Robert Trent Jones Senior and his son, Robert Trent Jones Jr. The first nine holes, which are hillier, were designed by the father. The back nine, which has more water hazards, was designed by the son. It's an 18-hole course, par 72, and about 7,214 yd (6,596 m) long from the back tees.
Golfing for a Good Cause
Every August, Sun Valley hosts a special golf event called the Killebrew-Thompson Memorial (KTM) tournament. This tournament helps raise money for important cancer research. It's a great example of how sports can help people.
The tournament started in 1977. It was created by baseball hall of famer Harmon Killebrew and a former politician named Ralph R. Harding. They started it to honor Danny Thompson, a baseball player who bravely played even after being diagnosed with leukemia. Sadly, he passed away at age 29.
Many famous people have played in this tournament over the years. In the very first year, even former President Gerald Ford and baseball legend Mickey Mantle participated! After Harmon Killebrew passed away from cancer in 2011, his name was added to the event to honor his efforts.
