Set in the breathtaking landscape of Park City, Utah, Promontory is blessed with one of Pete Dye’s best layouts, a Jack Nicklaus Signature tract so tough you better bring your “A-Game” and three more championship courses slated for construction in the foreseeable future.
Overlooking Park City and Deer Valley, Promontory is a second-home community consuming 10-square miles of prime land in the Wasatch Mountain region, with 70% of that land set aside for open space, golf, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and mountain biking. Located just 30 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport, Promontory offers every amenity you can think of, from outstanding pro shops and locker area, a restaurant that offers up spectacular cuisine and maybe better views, an Outfitter’s Cabin that headquarters summer and winter member activities and a Kid’s-Only Clubhouse. The Ranch Clubhouse provides tennis, swimming, ice-skating, a fitness center and spa facility. Homesites range from one-half acre to 40 acres and are priced from the mid-$300,000’s.
And, for a limited time, Promontory is offering a 2011 Mercedes ML 350 Bluetec clean diesel SUV plus a fully-sponsored Golf Club Membership with the purchase of a new developer Trapper’s Cabin.
While the social benefits are many at Promontory, it’s all about the golf when you get right down to it. With two courses of this magnitude, it’s no wonder that Promontory is one of the most sought-after golf developments in the country.
The Pete Dye Canyon Course checks in at just under 7,700 yards from the tips (remember, there’s elevation) and plays like two separate courses – one nine through the rugged canyons and the other like taking a walk on a long, winding and beautiful road.
The front nine meanders through sagebrush hillsides overlooking Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons ski resorts and is highlighted by a downhill, dogleg right, 670-yard Par 5. Even with a strong tailwind, this hole requires three shots. In total, the hole drops 134 from tee to green and, ironically, going long on your approach is like going gone.
Another great hole is the shortest of the bunch on the front side, although at 299 yards, the Par 3 8th hole is anything but short. As picturesque as they come, this hole offers safe passage only if you miss right. Miss left and a double stares you in the face.
The final hole on the outward nine brings water into play on this 458-yard, Par 4. A lake guards the entire approach to the green, which is complete with undulation one can only find on a Pete Dye putting surface. If you’re not close to the pin, three putts are in the forecast.
The 12th hole is an absolutely fantastic hole that blends the best of what design and nature have to offer. A 433-yard Par 4, this downhill, dogleg left offers an approach to a green that’s not easy to determine whether your putt is uphill or downhill. Take par and run to the next tee.
A classic risk/reward hole is the 15th, a Par 4 measuring 441 yards. The risk is the entire golf hole, the reward the views of Deer Valley framing the green. If you hit a good tee shot, a demanding approach shot still awaits to a long and narrow green. Again, the severely undulating green lends itself to many three putts.
“When I walked Promontory for the first time, I was amazed at how well the land lends itself to golf,” said Pete Dye. It’s a great golf experience that everyone should enjoy. The course should land in the top 100.”
The heck with the top 100, Promontory quickly found itself at the top, especially when Nicklaus’ Painted Desert course came into the mix. Promontory has been rated in the top 100 golf communities in the U.S. for the past four years. The Painted Valley course was ranked as a top new private course by Golf Digest, Travel & Leisure and Golfweek magazines. If you thought the Dye was long, that’s nothing compared to the Painted Desert’s nearly 8,100 yards. Good news is that you get to hammer your driver all day long.
Two of the Par 4s are over 500 yards and none of them are under 400 yards. Water hazards come into play on several holes on the course, particularly on the back nine. The 6th-13th holes play uphill and into the wind and are as tough a test of golf you’ll ever encounter from the tips.
While the prospect of navigating such great lengths, the most challenging part of the course may well be the severely undulated greens that require precision and touch to two-putt, especially when the greens are kept at a slick 10+ on the stimpmeter. With a rating/slope of 78.7/155 from the tips, Painted Valley delivers as one of the most difficult tracks in the world.
The Par 5, 12th is the signature of the Nicklaus Signature. At 673 yards, this hole typifies everything at the Promontory course; big, long, and difficult! Big views of the valley and mountain surroundings abound at this larger than life hole that plays downhill to the heavily bunkered fairway. The double dogleg hole tips out at 673 yards which shockingly isn’t even the longest par five on the course (the opening hole is 718 yards). But, it’s the most difficult Par 5 on the course as it plays severely downhill from the tee and then back uphill and into the prevailing wind when approaching the green. It is a great hole that embraces the feel and theme of Promontory.
So, there you have it…hiking, biking, horseback riding, ice skating, tennis, dining, a world-class fitness center to get your blood going and a spa to sooth those tired muscles, all while your kids are being entertained in their very own clubhouse. In short, Promontory has it all.
