The Sports Network

Golf Course Review

 

 

November 2007

 

 

HISTORY:  After spending most of his young adult life in the automobile business wheeling and dealing, Marshall Chesrown decided to take another calculated risk, purchasing 650 acres of pristine land high above RockfordBay overlooking beautiful LakeCoeur d'Alene in Idaho.

 

You see, at the age of 18, Chesrown received a music scholarship to San DiegoState, after his childhood in Spokane, Washington. During the summer job prior to his first year in college, Chesrown took a job in San Diego working for his uncle at a car dealership. During his first semester at school, Chesrown took a chance, dropped out of school and went back to work with his uncle at one of the largest Buick dealerships in the country. After climbing his way to the top, Chesrown became the youngest Toyota dealer in the United States. The rest, as they say, is history, as all the pieces fell into place and Chesrown made millions after selling his Automotive Group, which consisted of 11 companies.

 

Moving back to the region, Chesrown, yet again, took another chance and decided to create a community for the well-to-do, complete with all the bells and whistles. With more than 200 home sites, condominiums and houses already on site, another 1,150 acres have been purchased, with an additional 345 properties to be built. The new home sites range from one-third acre to four acres.

 

The private, gated community is surrounded by an exiting golf course created by Jim Engh. Not familiar with Mr. Engh? He’s been in the business over 23 years and has designed over 20 courses, mostly in Colorado, and was named Architect of the Year by Golf Digest in 2003. His award-winning talent has certainly shown through at The Club at Black Rock, as it was named the best new private course in the United States by Golf Digest. Leaving nothing to chance, Engh has personally crafted each and every fairway, weaving his creativity into the natural surroundings.

 

When all is said and done, an additional Tom Weiskopf-designed layout will be added to the mix, along with an 18-hole putting course, a par three layout and a second clubhouse.

 

Less than one hour from Spokane, The Club at Black Rock not only features outstanding golf, but a full-service Marina, EquestrianCenter, an EventCenter and unlimited concierge service. These amenities do not come cheap, as the membership deposit is $125,000, plus the usual monthly fees. With over 300 memberships in fold, luxury certainly has its rewards.

 

Not one to retire at such a young age, Chesrown continues to develop projects in the Eastern Washington and Coeur d'Alene areas, but his marquee property that re-defines luxury is the diamond of the GemState, Black Rock.

 

COURSE ANALYSIS:  The opening dogleg left first at Black Rock is a good starting hole, as it slowly works you into the round. Just 375 yards from the tips, the hole plays downhill from the tee and requires just a fairway metal or long iron to reach the very accessible fairway. Big hitters certainly can use driver off the tee favoring a draw, but don’t miss left, as you'll end up out-of-bounds. A wedge should remain to a gently sloping green with a ridge from front to back. Only 28 paces deep, the putting surface could be hard to get at, especially with a back-left pin, where there is a finger of green and grass bunkers to the left.

 

The first of three outstanding par threes on the front nine, the second is downhill beauty that features a long, rolling green stretching 42 yards in length. Water and marsh cover the front and right side, while a hill and thick rough guard the left. Club selection is crucial with this mammoth green that is affected by the wind. Any shot missing left will have virtually no shot at getting up and down, as the putting surface is quite slick. It's hard to be pinpoint with a long iron, so hope for a calm day.

 

If it's long you want, you've come to the right place, as the third is the grandest hole on the course. A whopping 611 yards from the black markers, the tee rises 180 feet above the split fairway. Driving down into the valley, there is no sand to avoid, just fesque-style brush on either side, as the landing area runs out around he 300 yard mark. Reaching the promised land in two is very unlikely, so lay up to the second fairway with a mid iron down the right, to set up your best approach, as the fairway slopes to the left. Just a little wedge will remain to cross a ravine to a miniscule green, just 18 steps deep. The putting surface is surprisingly wide with just one little bunker, short and left, so be precise with your short game and you could have a very good shot at birdie.

 

The key on the dogleg fourth is the tee shot, however the approach is not a given either. Only 407 yards from the tips, your drive must carry the ridge in the fairway around the 200 yard mark; otherwise, the slop of the fairway will send the ball back down the hill 60 yards! Just to keep you honest, a deep bunker down the right guards that portion of the fairway, while another monster trap protects down the left. A short iron should suffice as you approach the green; however, the putting surface is long and very narrow, with little room for error. Short-right and long will result in thick underbrush, so even though there are no greenside traps, you must be spot on.

 

Beginning with the fifth, the next three holes are open to the elements and when the wind is up, they could be quite difficult. Another split fairway par five, this lengthy hole can be reached in two, but it requires two big shots. Native grasses surround the entire hole and are in full view on the elevated tee. The fairway is generous, however a long bunker down the left will make second-shot options difficult and any ball off the landing area will be penalized heavily. Your second shot, over a grassy ravine, is played slightly uphill to the putting surface or landing area, however you must avoid the over 100-yard long trap that weaves in and out down the left. The green is only 19 paces deep, but very wide with a gentle ridge in the center. Take advantage if you can, I certainly did.

 

The sixth is the longest par four on the opening nine and second lengthiest on the course. What makes this hole difficult is that it usually plays back into the wind and with water down the right side and towards the green, which could spell doom. The landing area is very generous and devoid of sand, however the lake can be troublesome. A mid to long iron, depending upon the breeze is needed to traverse the two framing pot bunkers short and the water right. The putting surface is very slick with multiple, difficult pin placements. Just 27 paces long, the green is over 50 steps wide and with a right-hand pin, all the trouble comes into play.

 

Number seven is the longest of the five par threes on the course at 223 yards. Slightly uphill, the hole is beautifully framed by the native grasses and slope of the land. A deep, cavernous trap sits in the center, guarding one of the biggest greens on the course. Missing on the wrong side could result in a three-putt, so club yourself wisely.

 

One of the most spectacular holes in the area, the eighth is another 600-yard-plus par five. A huge drop from the tee, this gem offers wonderful views of the distant mountains and LakeCoeur d'Alene. The bunker down the right is more of an aiming point, as the fairway slopes to the left. Be careful however, as you’ll need 200 yards to clear the sand. With plenty of roll, it's possible to get home, but you’ll need a howitzer to clear the marsh and the army of pot bunkers fronting the green. The smart play would be to layup down the right side, leaving just a wedge to the undulating putting surface.

 

The final brilliant hole at Black Rock is stellar, uphill par-four 18th. Not overly long by today's standards, the finale plays downhill to the fairway and back up towards the green. Sand and trees right must be avoided of the tee. Even with a successful tee ball, you'll need an extra club or two to shoot the corridor towards the putting surface. An 80-yard long trap down the right side reaches the edge of the green. The short grass is very long and narrow, as it slopes from back to front. A mishit shot from the fairway, could slide back down, away from the green. A great finish to a great golf course.

 

FINAL WORD:  When a course is rated the number one venue in the state year after year, one must take notice. Well, I'm here to tell you, seeing and playing is believing!

 

The Club at Black Rock rivals any modern day track built in the last 10 years, if not longer. This IS a championship course. Many layouts mention that they have 18 holes of championship golf, which is just a phrase to entice you to play. Black Rock is every bit a championship track and more.

 

Let's run it down, beginning with the 31,000 square foot clubhouse. Elegantly appointed as it overlooks the lake, it exudes a warmth and charm, reminiscent of the region. The northwest, rustic detail and deign are impeccable, complete with open fire pits, plush leather seating and of course, a few bottles of vino. In addition to the clubhouse, Black Rock features a full-stocked golf shop, a fitness facility, tennis courts, spa treatments, swimming pool and top-notch practice range.

 

The real winner at Black Rock, however is the golf course. Aesthetically speaking, Black Rock has few equals. Perched high above LakeCoeur d'Alene, the course breathes excitement. From the rolling terrain, prairie-style landscape, cascading water falls, black rock cliffs, elevation changes and beautiful views, Black Rock is a scenic marvel.

 

As far as playability, Black Rock has four sets of tee boxes ranging from 4,900 to 7,130 yards, however, the scorecard is mapped out to play at seven different lengths, so all levels of play can experience the course.

 

What really sets the Club at Black Rock apart is its wonderful routing, sensational layout, superb conditions and amazing beauty. This is one golf course and experience I will never forget. Make no mistake, this is golf and living at its best.