WASHINGTON COUNTY – As the weather warms up in Southern Utah and both locals and tourists head outside to enjoy spring, many will play a round at area golf courses.
Washington County is home to twelve golf courses, six of which are municipally owned by the City of St. George, Washington City and City of Hurricane.
Golf is the second highest generator of tourism revenue in the county, behind only the Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts. In 2012, area golf courses earned just over $43.8 million from 166,944 nonlocal rounds of golf, according to the St. George & Zion National Park Tourism Office. It is estimated that golf tourists spend an average of $175 per day on green fees, lodging and dining.
Golf courses in Washington County
Bloomington Country Club
The Bloomington Golf Course opened in 1969 as the second golf course and first private course in Washington County. Today, it is part of the private, member-owned Bloomington County Club and features 18 holes, a practice putting green, chipping green with a sand trap and driving range stretched across more than 7,000 yards. Guest rates are available for family and friends of members, and the club is currently holding a membership drive that allows any golfer to play the course before deciding if they want to join. Weekly golf events, club tournaments, lessons and a fully stocked pro shop are among the many membership perks.
Contact: Bloomington Country Club – 435-673-468
City of St. George Golf Courses
The City of St. George owns four courses: Dixie Red Hills Golf Course, Southgate Golf Club, St. George Golf Club and Sunbrook Golf Club. These courses generate about $4 million annually, plus another $12 million from lodging, dining and travel.
Built in 1966, Dixie Red Hills is the oldest golf course in Washington County. It features nine holes situated among the red rocks and green trees of north St. George, near Red Hills Parkway. It is the only course to be built by the city, the others having been acquired from private entities.
The Southgate Golf Club course recently underwent massive improvements, including a complete redesign of the front nine holes.
The 18-hole St. George Golf Club is another classic course nestled among the tall trees and sprawling homes of the Bloomington Hills area.
The Sunbrook Golf Club, located inside the Sunbrook residential community, offers three nine-hole courses that wind through neighborhoods, lakes and hills, offering stunning views of St. George along the way.
“What sets our courses apart from others is the playability, affordable cost and overall course conditions,” Director of Golf Operations Colby Cowan said. “We have a lot to offer golfers of any skill level in the area.”
The City Cache Card allows St. George residents to receive discounted green fees year-round, the GetGolfReady program instructs beginning players and the Junior Association of Golfers is an informative summer program for youth. More information about these and other golf functions can be found on the City of St. George Golf website.
Contact: City of St. George Golf – 435-627-4653
Coral Canyon Golf Course
One of Washington County’s newer golf establishments, the par-72 Coral Canyon Golf Course was designed by noted architect Keith Foster. Aside from 7,029 yards of emerald green fairways, it features the Coral Grille restaurant, a wedding and banquet venue, a clubhouse and golf shop. Nearly every hole offers one-of-a-kind views of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. The course is open to the public year-round.
Contact: Coral Canyon Golf Course – 435-688-1700
Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club
The Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club is a private course with over 530 members. Its 7,051-yard, par-71 course is a Johnny Miller Signature Design and was ranked as the No. 1 golf course in Utah by Golf Digest. The club also features The Inn at Entrada, a fitness center and spa and the Kokopelli restaurant. It is operated by Troon Golf, one of the world’s leading management companies of luxury golf courses.
“Entrada is well-known for our superb playing conditions and fast, smooth greens,” Director of Golf David Hall said. “It is unique and exclusive.”
Contact: Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club – 435-986-2200
Green Spring Golf Course
The Green Spring Golf Course is the only course owned by Washington City. It opened in 1989 and offers a one-of-a-kind golfing experience at an affordable rate. The majestic peaks of Pine Valley Mountain can be seen from every hole.
”The setting and terrain set this course apart from all others,” Golf Professional Nick Neeley said. “The combination of red rock and green grass is absolutely stunning.”
Contact: Green Spring Golf Course – 435-673-7888
Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course
A main attraction of the Sand Hollow Resort, this 18-hole, par-72 public course measures over 7,300 yards and was designed by John Fought. The gently rolling fairways of the front nine holes are surrounded by red rocks and desert vegetation, while the back nine feature dramatic changes in elevation across steep ridges, both taking full advantage of the area’s natural beauty.
Contact: Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course – 435-656-4653
Sky Mountain Golf Course
The City of Hurricane owns one course, Sky Mountain Golf Course, which opened in 1994. It offers a challenging yet fun golfing experienced for players of all skill levels.
“Sky Mountain has one of the most breathtaking views in all of golf,” Head Golf Professional Kent Abbeglen said. “The red rock background with the majestic mountains in view is something to behold.”
Contact: Sky Mountain Golf Course – 435-635-7888
SunRiver St. George Golf Club
The SunRiver St. George Golf Club is one facet of the SunRiver St. George active retirement community. Its par-71 championship course hugs the Virgin River, offering views of the unique Color Country landscape. Like many SunRiver amenities, it is open to the public. After playing a round, patrons can relax at the Riverwalk Grill.
Contact: SunRiver St. George Golf Club – 435-986-0001
Valderra Golf Course at The Ledges
The Ledges of St. George is a luxury resort community featuring five residential neighborhoods, a clubhouse, the Fish Rock Grille restaurant and the Valderra Golf Course at the Ledges 18-hole public championship course. The course is home to a pro shop, golf academy with teaching pros and leagues with over 300 regular members. Designed by renowned architect Matt Dye, it features gorgeous panoramas of St. George and Snow Canyon State Park.
Contact: Valderra Golf Course at the Ledges – 435-634-4640
Regardless of skill level, budget or course, players are sure to enjoy a day of golf in the beautiful outdoors of Southern Utah.
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
Washington County golf is the best in the country.
Right there with you, GolfLover!
The article said regarding Coral Canyon: “Nearly every hole offers one-of-a-kind views of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.”
I would like to meet with the person that can see Bryce Canyon from Coral Canyon Golf Course. Amazing eyesight to see that far and through that many mountains.
😀 JJ Slice. Coral Canyon promotes it exactly so, the “snow-capped pink spires” of Bryce Canyon to be exact. Quite possible, given our clear skies and panoramic views?
STGnews
Joyce
EIC
Joyce, I realize you are just sharing Coral Canyon’s message (I think you do your job very well btw), BUT:
1. Bryce sits on the east face of the Paunsugunt Plateau with the canyon rim elevation ranging between 8,000 ft in elevation. When driving from the West to approach the rim one sees mountain meadows and forests and, if a first time visiter, probably wonders where in the heck all the colorful photos come from. Once you drop off the east face of the rim, you see the beautiful spires.
2. Between the Bryce Canyon rim (note the rim has no spires, but the valley below the rim has many spires) and Zion is about 50 miles of National Forest and 3,000 feet of mountainous elevation increase.
No person can see any Bryce Canyon spire from any location in Washington County, except maybe the top of Pine Valley Mtn. (I’ll try next time I’m up there and will return and report.)
As my name suggests, I’m usually searching in the bushes at Coral Canyon looking for my ball. But I stop and look toward the mountains because if I didn’t golf would have no appeal to me. The views from Coral are beautiful and even include snow-covered sandstone spires of Zion. But not of Bryce Canyon.
Can I invite you to a round of golf at Coral and we can check it out in person?
Agreed, it’s most def Zion you can view to the east, not Bryce. I know this isn’t you, Joyce 🙂 Maybe the people of Coral Canyon actually believe they can see the spires of the SLC temple on a clear night..lmao!
LOL – it’s nice to get a chuckle every now and then, JJ. I have a very fine set of Calloways with barely a scratch on them – why? I don’t seem to get out on those links very often. We’ll send Coral Canyon a challenge on the description – we did take it from their own material. Meanwhile, you have started my morning with a smile. Thank you.
I think we all realize the major exaggerations that folks here pull, when describing our beautiful area. I’m talking about Coral Canyon’s description here, Joyce, not yours.
I wonder if your Callaways hit balls into the bushes any better than my Taylor Mades?
Coral Canyon and Sand Hollow are two of my favorite St George Courses (even though I consider both to be more Hurricane-based.) The natural beauty and isolation I feel at Sand Hollow has created some of the best golfing I’ve ever had. I’ve been to all of the courses mentioned in this article except Green Spring and that’s next on my list.
Um, I don’t think you can see Bryce Canyon from Coral Canyon lol..jus sayin’
However, one can see the light dome of Vegas to the southwest from STG on a cloudy night..
If I remember correctly Coral Canyon has a picture of Bryce Canyon on their printed scorecards …so I guess you can “see” it from every hole…