Utah, USA
The forthcoming Ambush Course at Marcella Club represents King Collins Dormer's ambitious vision for mountain golf architecture. Set along dramatic ridgelines overlooking Utah's Heber Valley, this private championship layout promises otherworldly terrain with cliff-edge holes and natural Aspen-lined valleys for an extraordinary mountain golf holiday experience.
The forthcoming Ambush Course at Marcella Club represents King Collins Dormer's ambitious vision for mountain golf architecture. Set along dramatic ridgelines overlooking Utah's Heber Valley, this private championship layout promises otherworldly terrain with cliff-edge holes and natural Aspen-lined valleys for an extraordinary mountain golf holiday experience.
Rob Collins and Tad King, the golf architects behind several of the most popular courses of the modern era, have been tabbed to build the second 18-hole course at Marcella, along with their newest design partner, Trevor Dorner, creating what promises to be one of Utah's most distinctive mountain golf experiences.
The Ambush Course, currently in its design phase with construction scheduled to begin in 2025, represents a bold architectural vision from King Collins Dormer Golf Design. The meandering ridge, which marks the start and finish of the round, is populated by a string of cliff-edge holes with panoramic views, while the middle of the round is characterised by a sublime set of natural golf holes that are nestled into an Aspen-lined valley.
The Ambush Course emerges as part of the Marcella Club's ambitious expansion to create a complete high-altitude golf and lifestyle community built for generations. King Collins Dormer Golf Course Design, founded in 2023 with the addition of Trevor Dormer to the established partnership of Rob Collins and Tad King, brings together expertise from some of golf's most celebrated modern layouts.
The development represents a collaboration between REEF Capital Partners, Raintree Investment Corporation, and Crosslake Partners, with all 500 golf (and ski) memberships having already sold out, speaking to the demand for what will be the premier 36-hole private club experience in the American West.
King Collins Dormer's vision for Ambush centres on maximising the dramatic natural terrain. Collins, who teamed with King to create Landmand in northeast Nebraska and the 9-hole Sweetens Cove in Tennessee (two courses that have developed cult followings in destination golf circles), says the Ambush site is one of the most diverse, dramatic and beautiful locations they've ever seen for golf.
The architectural approach reflects the firm's philosophy of creating bold, timeless, strategic, and artistically inspired golf courses. The scale of the golf course features will match the aura of the landscape — bold and beautiful, notes Trevor Dormer, who brings mountain golf expertise from his Canadian background.
A distinctive element will be the course's playing surfaces. Another differing aspect for Ambush is that the course plans to have a fescue blend in the fairways, which Collins says will require the team to "design and build to accommodate a lot of shots along the ground", creating strategic variety and connecting with links-style traditions.
The routing takes full advantage of the site's natural drama. The opening and closing holes at Marcella's second course, Ambush, play along a ridgeline while other holes during the middle of the round play down through a valley, creating a diverse playing experience that showcases different aspects of the mountainous terrain.
"Our team is excited and prepared to weave together 18 distinctive, walkable and playable holes across this otherworldly terrain", Collins explains. This commitment to walkability distinguishes the design approach in an era where mountain courses often prioritise car-dependent routing.
The course will complement rather than compete with Tiger Woods' Skyline Course at the same facility. Both golf courses are located on Jordanelle Ridge within the Marcella community, with the first tees of both located within about 1,000 yards of the Marcella clubhouse.
Marcella Club's location places it within Utah's emerging golf corridor. The state has quietly become one of the most active states in the country in terms of new golf development, with Utah experiencing the third-highest population growth behind only Florida and Texas.
Within 30km (19 miles): Park City Municipal Golf Club and nearby Heber Valley courses offer accessible mountain golf options for same-day play.
30-60km (19-37 miles): Red Ledges Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus Signature design) in Heber City provides championship-level golf approximately 15 minutes from Park City, according to verified sources.
60km+ (37+ miles): Access to Salt Lake City area courses expands options significantly for extended golf holidays.
Marcella Club operates as an exclusive private club requiring membership or guest privileges. The Golf & Ski Member Guide requires real estate purchase at either Marcella Landing at Deer Valley East Village or select lots at Marcella Jordanelle Ridge.
When operational, the course will join the Skyline Course to create a 36-hole private club experience with full resort amenities across three Park City locations.
Salt Lake City International Airport: 59km (37 miles), approximately 40-42 minutes driving time via I-80 and UT-224, based on verified traffic data.
Public Transport: Park City offers shuttle services from SLC Airport, with direct connections available through various private operators.
Car Rental: Major rental agencies available at SLC Airport gateway centre, with all-wheel drive recommended for mountain conditions.
Spring: Mountain golf season typically begins May-June depending on snow conditions and course preparation.
Summer: Peak season with temperatures averaging mid-80s°F, providing relief from lower elevation heat.
Autumn: Shoulder season offers excellent conditions with fewer crowds and spectacular mountain foliage.
Winter: Course closed for snow sports, with Marcella Club offering ski access to Deer Valley Resort.
When completed, the Ambush Course promises to establish Marcella Club among America's premier mountain golf destinations. The combination of King Collins Dormer's proven design excellence with Utah's dramatic landscape creates anticipation for what Jared Lucero, CEO of REEF and developer of Marcella at Deer Valley, said that selecting KCD reflects the group's ambition to build something "truly remarkable".
The course represents more than individual architectural achievement—it embodies Utah's emergence as a significant golf destination, capitalising on the state's natural beauty and year-round recreational appeal. For travelling golfers, Ambush will complete one of the American West's most comprehensive private club experiences, combining championship golf with world-class ski access in a single membership.
The project awaits construction beginning in 2025, with opening anticipated to follow completion of infrastructure and a grow-in period.
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