Marvelous Mountain Setting (credit Joe Newman)

 

Sky Mountain Golf Course:

Great Golf in the Shadow of Zion National Park.

Posted by: Rick Parnham

 

Just east of St. George, Utah, in the Hurricane Valley is Sky Mountain—a beautifully designed golf course set against a backdrop of the remarkable red rocks and tall peaks that frame the region. These wondrous sites can be seen from every hole on the course making golf seem like an afterthought. Perched high atop a bluff, the Jeff Hardin designed facility makes the most of the spectacular natural surroundings with three opening and three finishing holes all playing along the edge of the Virgin River Valley.

 

A very playable routing, the course makes the most of the natural roll of the property, including the ample practice range with its seemingly infinite backdrop of mountains and canyon. The opening nine plays with more of a desert feel, with only a few holes framed by the surrounding residential community. The back nine is routed within the home-sites and culminates with a trio of holes taking you back to the splendor of the red rock backdrop. A nice blend of length and finesse, Sky Mountain is a solid test of skill, with a most stunning setting for your round.

 

Location: Hurricane, Utah

 

Editor's Shot Maker's Picks: Sky Mountain

Featured Holes
Hole 1
Hole 7
Hole 17
Hole 18
Par
Par 4
Par 4
Par 4
Par 5
Blue
359

425
383
485
White
339
396
366
470
Gold
296
356
243
401
HCP-Men
11
1
4
6
HCP-Women
11
1

4
6


Feature Holes Descriptions:

The opening hole plays downhill as a short par four. A framing bunker sits high on the right side as the fairway dips into a swale providing you two distinct options.  One is a strategic lay-up short of the bunker leaving you a flat lie and a good view for a downhill shot in the green site framed by beautiful mountains and red rock.  The other is an aggressive  left to right drive around the bunker leaving a shorter, but blind, uphill approach from the bottom of the swale. The 7th plays a mid-length par 4, first downhill off the tee and then slightly up with the approach to the hillside, multi-tiered green complex tucked behind a fronting pond and two bunkers.

 

The Big Finish


The duo of finishing holes feature plenty of risk/reward. The par 4 hole 17 is a sharp dogleg right beginning with a set of tees wedged tightly to the edge of a deep canyon. Wrapping around a desert-lined cliff-edge the aggressive play challenges the corner leaving a wedge for your approach. A more conservative lay-up to the corner will require a mid-iron shot to the canting green protected by bunkers and canyon on the right. The finishing hole is a reachable par 5 lined by houses on the left and canyon on the right. The landing area crests, creating a gentle downhill lie for your second shot. A well struck hybrid or fairway wood can lead to a solid chance at a birdie on this accessible green fronted by waste area and bunker.

 

Course Stats:

Par 72
Yardage
Rating/Slope-M
Rating/Slope-F
Blue
7200
70.9 / 131
-
White
6527
68.7 / 126
-
Gold
5993
67.1 / 110
-

 

Owned and operated by the City of Hurricane, this design provides a premiere public play golf experience, featuring a solid routing and breathtaking vistas at affordable municipal rates. Located just off Route 9, the gateway to the interior of the state and all the magnificent  National Parks, this most eastern course option on the Red Rock Trail is a perfect addition to any travel plans that involve a visit to Zion, or the Grand Canyon.

 

Drive Times: St. George Airport 20 mins, Las Vegas 2 hrs, Salt Lake City 4 hrs 30 mins.

 

Contact:

Sky Mountain Golf

1030 North 2600 West,

Hurricane, UT

84737

(435) 635-7888

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