The picturesque Gem State inspires meeting groups to spend some time outdoors, and one of the main activities perfect for attendee networking and soaking in the sun is a golf tournament at one of the state’s myriad local courses.
From Coeur d’Alene to Boise, the settings of many popular group-friendly golf courses are pretty spectacular, according to Taylor Williamson, sports and convention sales manager at the Boise CVB.
“Idaho is also more affordable compared with California, Oregon and Washington,” he said. “Overall, for rate and quality, it’s a phenomenal place to golf.”
Following are six great courses where groups can get in the swing.
BanBury Golf Course, Boise
“Beautiful weather from March until the end of October makes that time frame great for golf here in Boise,” Williamson said. “Every course here is receptive to groups for tournaments planned in advance.”
One standout is BanBury Golf Course, which often hosts group tournaments. Most groups play scramble tournaments in a shotgun format, and custom scorecards as well as cart signs are provided for each event.
“The golf course continues to be a great test for both professionals and amateurs alike,” said Jerry Breaux, director of golf at the venue. “With the South Channel of the Boise River flowing throughout the golf course, and with the many ponds and streams that run through it, there is water on every hole, making it all the more challenging.”
Many companies in the Treasure Valley region book BanBury for corporate events that conclude on the outdoor patio overlooking a 10-acre pond and the photogenic 18th green.
“We have a full-service kitchen and bar that caters to the most discerning groups,” Breaux said. “We have a beverage cart that is available seven days a week during the golf season to keep our players hydrated during play. Also, our course is set up so that the second nine will pass right by the golf shop and restaurant for anything players may need.”
In addition to the outside patio, there is also a private meeting room, large dining room and a full bar on-site.
“BanBury has become a premier event destination site in our city,” Breaux said.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, Coeur d’Alene
Home to the world’s only floating moveable green, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course delivers a “true bucket list experience” for many golfers, according to Andy Mackimmie, head golf professional at the course.
“Players tee off from shore, then board a small electric passenger ferry known as ‘Putter’ for the trip to the floating green,” he said. “After completing the hole, golfers get a certificate with their name and score as a memento of the experience.”
In addition to the floating green, groups will get a kick out of transportation from the resort to the golf course in custom hand-built mahogany wood water taxis.
Beyond traditional group tournaments, many corporate groups have rented the famous floating green Hole 14 for evening fun.
“The tee box and island green are aglow in neon colors as participants try to reach the most expensive golf green ever built,” said Taylor Fore, group golf and corporate sales manager at the resort. “This advanced take on glow golf is only available at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.”
Other golf course amenities include luxury golf carts with interactive touch-screen GPS, on-course snack-and-beverage service, a lakefront practice range, complimentary sports massages, a clubhouse and restaurant, and the Hagadone Event Center, a lakefront facility with floor-to-ceiling retracting glass walls that provide panoramic views of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
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Sun Valley Resort Golf Courses, Sun Valley
Sun Valley Resort features 45 holes of championship golf on three unique courses, including Elkhorn, the nine-hole White Clouds, which offers 360-degree views of the Wood River Valley, and the Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed Trail Creek, which was recently recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 75 resort courses in North America.
Of the major tournaments held here annually are the Killebrew-Thompson Memorial golf tournament, complete with celebrity teams and a benefit concert at the Sun Valley Pavilion, and the Governor’s Cup, which is played every other year.
The three courses also specialize in corporate golf tournaments.
“Groups may customize the type of tournament they would like, including scramble and best ball,” said Kelli Lusk, public relations and communications manager for Sun Valley Resort. “We have a dedicated PGA staff that can customize and accommodate tournament play based on the group’s preferences, number of participants, time of year, length of stay, etc.”
The Trail Creek and White Clouds golf courses are anchored by the Sun Valley Club, which is open to the public and includes a restaurant, bar, pro shop, locker rooms, club rentals and the 18-hole Sawtooth Putting Course.
And the semi-private Elkhorn offers a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse and a large patio where golfers can relax and socialize after a day on the links.
Pinecrest Golf Course, Idaho Falls
Recently rated by Golf Digest as the best municipal golf course in Idaho, the 18-hole, circa-1936 Pinecrest Golf Course is nationally recognized as one of the best places to play for price and conditioning, according to Tim Reinke, golf course PGA professional.
“It’s a traditional tree-lined course with small greens, bunkers and only one water hazard,” he said.
Formerly known as Idaho Falls Municipal Golf Course, Pinecrest hosted the first Idaho Open in 1941 and has since been played and praised by many golf professionals, including Sam Snead, Patty Berg, Byron Nelson and Harold “Jug” McSpaden.
“It is hard to imagine to those of us who know what a barren wasteland that Pinecrest once was, that it could turn into the beautiful place it is today,” Reinke said.
On-site at the golf course, which specializes in tournaments and corporate outings that include a meal and prizes, sits a log clubhouse with a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch.
Juniper Hills Country Club, Pocatello
Tournaments, group lessons, meetings and banquets are par for the course at Juniper Hills Country Club, where groups will also find tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The 18-hole golf course here features 10 water holes, including several that involve crossing the Portneuf River. Along the way, golfers can keep a lookout for wildlife including ducks, owls and beautiful birds.
Groups of all sizes can book the country club’s banquet room, which has a dance floor, and on-site food-and-beverage service is available to cook up everything from breakfast buffets to full-service dinners.
Canyon Springs Golf Course, Twin Falls
At Canyon Springs Golf Course there is a private events team and catering staff that will assist planners with on-site tournaments, meetings and meal functions.
After play, groups can grab a bite at the Canyon Grill or have an awards ceremony or reception in an on-site private dining space that sports great views.
The scenic 18-hole, tree-lined golf course, with views including a waterfall on Hole 13, hosts many charity golf tournaments and various other corporate outings during its season.
