PULLMAN, Wash. Palouse Ridge Golf Club, a spectacular new daily-fee course located on Washington State University’s Pullman campus, has claimed a spot on “GOLF Magazine’s” roster of the ‘Top 10 New Courses You Can Play’ in its ‘Best New Courses of 2008’ feature in the January, 2009 issue.
“In tough economic times, you need to know what courses are really worth your money,” the magazine writes. “With a green fee structure ranging from $39 to $91 for non-residents, Palouse Ridge, the new home course of the Cougar men’s and women’s Pac-10 golf teams, represents exceptional value for dollar.”
While noting that WSU has produced its share of NFL stars, the article postulates that “perhaps the school’s golf course will help it produce PGA Tour level golfers.”
“One thing is certain,” the magazine writes, “All WSU golfers will be assured of a stiff test before graduation.
“Palouse Ridge belongs in the upper echelon of college courses. The John Harbottle III design rolls through windswept, mostly treeless terrain and boasts panoramic views of mountain peaks in Idaho and Oregon. Particularly eye-catching are the massive, whisker-edged bunkers that dot the layout.”
The award is the latest in a string of accolades garnered by Palouse Ridge since its debut in August, 2008.
In the November/December 2008 issue of “Travel +Leisure Golf,” a bimonthly magazine published by American Express, Palouse Ridge claimed a spot on the publication’s ‘Best New Courses of 2008’ list. Confined to the 10 top layouts opened in the last 12 months, the roster includes domestic and international venues in both public and private categories.
The” Travel + Leisure Golf” award came on the heels of a commendation from “Golfweek.” In the Oct. 23, 2008 issue of the popular weekly publication, Palouse Ridge was ranked 15th among the Best New Courses opened in the U.S. during the 2007-08 time period.
“It’s very exciting to be included on the prestigious lists of these major publications,” said Bruce Perisho, general manager of Palouse Ridge. “It’s amazing we’ve gotten this much attention in such a short period of time. Then again, the golfers who’ve played here have raved about the course and enjoyed it immensely.
“It’s truly an honor for us to receive these awards, and it’s also an honor for John Harbottle to receive this kind of attention for his work,” Perisho said.
The Tacoma-based designer, who made over 100 site visits during course construction to supervise grading, shaping, finish work and grassing, gives credit for the success of Palouse Ridge to the site itself.
“The main idea was to preserve the character of the region,” he said, echoing the university’s mandate that the golf course fit the environment. “The terrain here is so dramatic. It allowed us to create a tremendous golf course.”
Now ranked among the finest university-affiliated courses in the nation, the course follows the lay of the land as it weaves through the giant Palouse hills. The holes, each self-contained, appear to have been extruded by the landscape, not superimposed upon it.
Recently enrolled in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, the golf course, a wildlife habitat that encompasses riparian corridors and wetlands, serves as a research center and recreational outlet for WSU students and staff.
In addition to an expansive practice facility, Palouse Ridge is served by a 7,000-sqaure-foot clubhouse set on a hill overlooking the 18th green that uses a geothermal heating and cooling system to achieve its desired temperature while reducing energy needs.
For more information on Palouse Ridge Golf Club, visit www.palouseridge.com. The Web site offers a link to the “GOLF Magazine” article ‘Top 10 New Courses You Can Play.’
