The Red Ledges recreational community needs to make room in its trophy case, because it just earned another prestigious sporting honor.
The Red Ledges golf course, a private venue, was named the best golf course in Utah by the Best of State Awards for the second straight year.
“We’re the best golf course in the state because of our involvement in the community, Heber Valley and Park City area,” said Mitchel Burns, chief operating officer of Red Ledges.
The course, designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, is an 18-hole, 7,563-yard course that sits in a backdrop of natural red sandstone. The course was the 200th course that he designed himself. (He also designed the Park Meadows golf course).
Burns recalls how passionate “The Golden Bear” was about the task and how it has now paid off with two illustrious awards in a row.
“He wanted to have a great canvas,” Burns said of Nicklaus. “He always said, ‘I wanted to design a course here. I’m going to go over the top on this one and we’re going to design a great golf course.’ He loves us; we’ve worked together for a long time.”
Said Nicklaus in a press release: “They often say that it can be harder to repeat success than to achieve it, so Red Ledges should be proud to once again receive this recognition and while still being less than two years old. That is a testament not only to the golf course, but the commitment of the ownership at Red Ledges and the hard work of the entire staff.”
Burns said Red Ledges not only takes its role in the community seriously, but it also wants to be the best golf course around, not just in the state of Utah.
He said the course uses bentgrass, which is typically used specifically for greens at golf courses. Burns said Red Ledges has bentgrass all over its links.
“No one else in Utah is doing it,” he said.
In 2010, Red Ledges held a golf school put on by teacher extraordinaire Jim McLean who, Burns says, is one of the top three instructors in the world.
Red Ledges is already no stranger to awards. It was named Golf Magazine’s No. 1 private course in 2009. Burns said he wants to reiterate that, while the recreational community is private, he wants to invite anyone interested in checking out the course to simply pick up the phone (435-657-4090) and give him a ring.
“There’s still some room on the golf course,” he said. “I still want people to know they can come check it out.”