Eureka to plan new golf course
The Daily Inter Lake
Nick Faldo is no stranger to Big Sky Country.
The three-time Masters (1989, 1990 and 1996) and The (British) Open champion (1987, 1990 and 1992) has often used Missoula as a staging point when testing his angling skills in the Treasure State.
“It’s great to get away,” Faldo said of fishing, a passion of his.
“There is nothing better than standing in a river and knowing the trout are rising. That’s a real buzz.”
But fishing was not the focus of his latest visit to Montana. Faldo arrived in Eureka last week to discuss the first golf course he is designing in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains.
The Wilderness Club project, a 545-acre development, will offer home sites and golf to a very exclusive clientele from the U.S. and Canada. When completed, there will be 272 home sites and 47 luxury cabins surrounding a world-class golf course featuring 18 holes. All of this will be framed by spectacular mountain and lake views.
Home site prices will start at $250,000; luxury cabin prices will begin at $700,000.
The Wilderness Club will have sales offices in Whitefish and Calgary.
The private course is expected to be ready for play the spring of 2008.
Faldo was on site to monitor construction and to meet with the media and developers. Faldo Design is collaborating with Schmidt-Curley on this venture. Schmidt-Curley is based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has worked with Faldo on other course developments in China, California and Arizona.
Faldo Design has designed 18 courses with another 10 to 11 under construction. Six or seven are currently in the planning stage.
“It will be a club course, a resort course,” Faldo said.
“Just that. Playing fair for beginners to club members.”
Is it the type of course Faldo would enjoy playing?
“Of course!,” he said. “It’s the type of place I’d like to bring my family to.”
But since Faldo was here for business, the family vacation this summer will be in Iceland.
Faldo joins another well-known professional golfer who has designed a course in Northwest Montana. Former U.S. Open champion Andy North and Roger Packard designed the links layout at Big Mountain Golf Club, located just north of Kalispell.
The original 18 holes at Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork were built by William Hull, Jr. Jack Nicklaus, Jr., and Nicklaus Design, in 1995, designed another nine holes at the club.
Faldo said in a press release that he was awed by the rugged landscape and the pure out-of-proportion grandeur of this place.
“For a golfer who plays this course, that promises to be a gratifying combination,” he continued. “For me as a designer, I’m simply humbled by the opportunity to create a golf course from such a pristine palette of natural amenities.”
Faldo’s business ventures and family time has greatly reduced the time he currently spends on the professional golf tour. He has four children, ages 19, 17, 15 and 3. His son Matt, 17, plays golf.
Faldo did not compete in the U.S. Open earlier this month. His next scheduled outing will be the British Open.
“I’m loving it,” Faldo said. “I’m in a different kind of phase of my life (right now). It’s tough to compete where you’re getting older.”
Faldo, who turns 50 next month, currently splits his living arrangements between Orlando, Fla., and England.
In addition to the Wilderness Club, Faldo is also designing a par 3 hole for John’s Course, also in Eureka. The Wilderness Club will help with construction and other course improvements there.
John’s Course was started by Steve Espinoza over 10 years ago so his son John, who suffers from a rare form of Down’s syndrome, could play golf in a relaxed, friendly environment. The course has shared greens and welcomes all golfers, including those who are disabled and handicapped.
Faldo played three holes at John’s Course. Joining him in the foursome were Jim Peacock, golf course superintendent at Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls, Barry Cole, president of Wilderness Development in Calgary, and John Espinoza.
Along the way, Faldo shared a few golf tips with John Espinoza on proper swing technique and addressing the ball.
Faldo finished the entertaining session by autographing a few golf balls and golf caps. He also signed a banner that read John’s Golf Course Welcomes Masters Champion Nick Faldo. He also wrote ‘What about The Open?’ on it.
From there it was back to the Wilderness Club.
“This is the kinda place we were thinking about coming to (for a family vacation),” said Faldo. “A place where you can do a ton of outdoor activities.”
Eureka Montana Golf Course
Public and Private Golf course information coming soon
On a personal NOTE, It is so hard to embrace change. I know that not all change
is bad and I have heard good things about these folks, things of integrity.
Still, watching our valley change so dramatically is sometimes very sad.
is bad and I have heard good things about these folks, things of integrity.
Still, watching our valley change so dramatically is sometimes very sad.
